hearts
hearts
In Christian art a wounded heart, encircled with thorns and surmounted by a cross, represents the Sacred Heart of Jesus.
A heart surrounded by a wreath of roses and transfixed by a sword is the Heart of Mary. Sometimes seven swords are shown, emblematic of the Seven Dolors or Sorrows of the Mother of God.
A heart is also a symbol of one of the theological virtues, Charity.
A flaming heart is associated with Saint Augustine of Hippo, in allusion to a passage in his “Confessions.”