Staying Power It is impossible to say with certainty that the image of an anatomical human heart, previously unknown in the Christian world, came from theNew World. However, the timing is interesting, to say the least. Since then, it has been amazing to see how steadfast the various characteristics of this icon have been. As tattoos and votive candles the world over attest, the sacred heart is generally wounded, aflame and radiant, encircled by a crown of thorns, and often with a stylized aorta at the top. Although the sacred heart tattoo can, and does, appear anywhere, its placement on the chest seems particularly apt. In fact, the placement of the sacred heart tattoo over the heart gets to the essence of the devotion itself, per the Catholic Encyclopedia, "a reciprocation of love; its aim is to love Jesus who has so loved us, to return love for love."