According to one reference work, the figurative heart stands for “the central part in general, the inside, and so for the interior man as manifesting himself in all his various activities, in his desires, affections, emotions, passions, purposes, his thoughts, perceptions, imaginations, his wisdom, knowledge, skill, his beliefs and his reasonings, his memory and his consciousness. ”
Vastavalt ühele teatmeteosele kujutab piltlik süda „üldises mõttes keskset paika, sisemust, ja seega sisemist inimest, mis avaldub kõigis tema mitmesugustes ettevõtmistes, tema soovides, kiindumustes, emotsioonides, ihades, eesmärkides, tema mõtetes, arusaamades, kujutelmades, tema tarkuses, teadmistes, oskustes, tema tõekspidamistes ja arutlustes, tema mälus ja teadvuses ”.