Valentine’s Day is also commonly known as Hearts Day. This is because the heart represents love and we celebrate love on Valentine’s Day. With Valentine’s Day just around the corner, it would not hurt to learn a metaphor or two about what represents love― the heart.

The heart, when stated as a metaphor does not only represent the feeling of love but represents various emotional states and conditions. Here are 15 heart metaphor examples you can use, either for your literary works or for your daily conversations.

1. Heart of stone

To have a heart of stone means the person does not show any sympathy, conscience or pity.

Example:

Def Leppard’s song “When Love and Hate Collide” has a chorus that goes:

“Without you – one night alone
Is like a year without you baby
do you have a heart of stone?
Without you – can’t stop the hurt inside
when love and hate collide.”

The heart of stone metaphor used in this song equates to despair and sadness as the person is constantly being ignored by his loved one. You may also see metaphors and similes.

2. Heart of a lion

Having a heart of a lion means you are brave and courageous, similar to a lion.

Sentence example: My father has a heart of a lion because he always protects me from strangers and bullies.

Heart of a lion is a good analogy for someone who is brave and guards the safety of other people, willing to risk his or her life for the greater good. In this case, parents place themselves in danger just to protect their children. Like how lions protect their pride, parents protect their children not of sheer compliance as parents, but out of unconditional love.You may also see kid-friendly metaphors.

3. Heart of gold

Having a heart of gold means you are a very kind person.

Here are examples of quotes from authors that use this metaphor:

“I’d rather have a heart of gold
Than all the treasure of the world.”
― Ana Claudia Antunes, Memoirs of An Amazon

“It’s that heart of gold, and stardust shine that makes you beautiful.”
― R.M. Broderick

The said quotes simply mean that no treasure in this world can ever match or beat the value of having a heart of gold.

4. Heart and soul

The heart and soul metaphor means that you do things with a lot of energy and enthusiasm.

Sentence Example:

The caregiver worked with heart and soul despite having a exhausting and draining job because she needs to make a living for her family.

Heart and soul means having to give an extra effort but with the right mindset and attitude. In this example, we all know how tiring a caregiver’s job can be, but work should be done with heart and soul because her end goal is to give a great life for her family. You may also see metaphors in business talk.

5. Let your heart rule your head

Letting your heart rule your heard means that you make decisions based on feelings and emotions.  Another alternative for this metaphor is heart over mind.

Example:

80’s hit maker Jennifer Rush (The Power of Love) has a song entitled Heart Over Mind. The chorus of the song goes:

“Look over your shoulder then leave it behind
Put all the heartbreak away,
We’ll start all over one step at a time
Don’t let the past take my place
It’s heart over mind, heart over mind”

The song talks about one person in the relationship having inhibitions and reservations in continuing the relationship, but the partner doesn’t want the relationship to end and encourages the other half to let the heart make all the decisions. You may also see examples of metaphoric poems.

8. Pour out your heart to somebody

When you pour out your heart to somebody, you tell them all your problems, confessions, interests, feelings, and other things you are not comfortable sharing with other people.

Here’s a sample situation of how pouring one’s heart would be like:

This morning, Jenny invited me for a cup of coffee. I was confused with the sudden invite because, after our breakup last year, we also broke off all of our contact.

I agreed anyway because my gut told me to do so.

As soon as I arrived at the coffee shop, I was welcomed by a sobbing woman who hurriedly rushed and enveloped me in a tight, but more like desperate, embrace. It was Jenny. She was crying really hard. 

Without a word, I led the both of us into one of the empty tables and assisted the crying Jenny, who could hardly let go of me. As I raised a hand to call a waiter, Jenny suddenly blurted out something that suspended my raised hand in mid-air.

“I’m pregnant, Joey.”

I just stared at her blankly with one hand still raised up.

“I’m pregnant with your brother’s baby, Joey,” Jenny added, “I don’t know what to do. It was an accident. He does not know about it. Nobody else does except you now. I’m scared. I’m scared he wouldn’t accept the baby.” Jenny poured her heart out and I let her.

I knew she ended our relationship because she chose my brother over me. I wanted to pour out my pent-up emotions, too, because I know I deserved to be treated better. But seeing Jenny, all of my frustrations vanished into thin air. After everything, I still love her. Damn, I still do.

A few moments later, I heard someone asking for our order, but I ignored the voice. I rushed to Jenny’s side and wrapped her in a tight, but more comforting, embrace.

“It’s okay,” I whispered assuringly, “I’m here. You’ll be okay now.”

9. Wear your heart on your sleeve

Wearing a heart on your sleeve means you to allow your feelings to be seen and felt by other people.

The first recorded use of this heart metaphor was written in William Shakespeare’s Othello.

The antagonist Iago says to confederate Rodrigo:

“For when my outward action doth demonstrate/
The native act and figure of my heart/
In complement extern, ’tis not long after/
But I will wear my heart upon my sleeve/
For daws [birds] to peck at: I am not what I am.”

Iago believes that when he would reveal what he feels in his heart, he will be vulnerable.

10. Set your heart on something

To set your heart on something means you want something very much.

We have a lot of dreams, wishes, and aspirations. When we set our hearts into something we really want, we will accomplish that dream or wish eventually. You may also see metaphor examples.

11. Speak from the heart

To speak from the heart is to say something that is sincere and honest.

When we confess to someone about our true feelings, it is ideal to speak of the truth. If someone said something derogatory and you felt offended, tell him how you really feel. When we speak from the heart, we will free ourselves of feeling unnecessary pain. You may also see valentine’s day banner.

12. Break one’s heart

Breaking one’s heart means you make someone feel very unhappy and depressed.

 

Having a broken heart is every single person’s nightmare. People don’t want relationships to end, and sometimes it ends in a bad and chaotic mess. One way to avoid a break-up this is to keep constant communication. If both parties are constantly in contact with each other, then it provides an opportunity for issues and misunderstanding to be solved immediately without having to result in a break-up.You may also see valentine’s card designs

13. Win somebody’s heart

On the other hand, if you win somebody’s heart, you receive love from the person you gave love to in the first place.

One of the best feelings one can ever obtain is to win somebody’s heart after giving all of your’s. This Valentine’s Day, expect a lot of people to court or propose to their significant other.

14. Have a big heart

Having a big heart means you are a kind and generous person.

It takes guts to have a big heart in this cruel world. There are a lot of people who don’t care about your feelings. Even if your kindness and generosity are relentless, it does not guarantee that the other people will give back. Your kindness and generosity should not be wavered due to the lack of reciprocation. Having a big heart also means that you do not expect something in return.

15. The heart of the city

The heart of the city simply means the capital or center of the city. It could be a landmark, a business district, or any other public place.

The heart of every city is where the hustle and the bustle can be found. It is where the concrete jungle thickens and where the inhabitants of the jungle are striving hard to survive.

Writing a love poem or a love letter using the examples of heart metaphors is a perfect Valentine’s Day gift idea that you can give to your loved ones. You can also use the examples of heart metaphors in your everyday conversations.You may also see love greeting cards