Silver Hearts Mean Thanksgiving

Typically, in Latin countries especially, such Italy, Spain, Portugal, and Latin America, one sees votive offerings in the form of silver hearts, usually with a silk ribbon for hanging. These are placed on or around the image of Our Lord, Our Lady, or the saints as a thanksgiving offering for graces received, or less often as an offering before the grace is given. One can easily tell that they are not representations of the hearts of Jesus and Mary because they are not surmounted by a cross or depicted as pierced or crowned with thorns. They represent the will to be grateful on the part of the devout client of the holy person represented.