The heart symbol is an ideograph used to express the idea of the heart in its metaphorical or symbolic sense. Represented by an anatomically inaccurate shape, the heart symbol is often used to represent the center of emotion, including affection and love, especially romantic love. It is sometimes accompanied or superseded by the wounded heart symbol, depicted as a heart symbol pierced with an arrow or as a heart symbol broken into two or more pieces, indicating lovesickness.