The first known image of the indubitable heart icon

In 1344, the heart icon with two lobes and a point appeared in a manuscript, The Romance of Alexander. The scene containing the heart image appears in the lower border of a page decorated with sprays of foliage, perched birds and other motifs characteristic of French and Flemish illumination.

During the 15th century, the heart icon spread throughout Europe on the pages of manuscripts and luxury items like pendants. The heart appeared in coats of arms, playing cards, combs, wooden chests, and sword handles.