A declaration of love, which is also called a confession of love, is a way of showing love for someone or something. It can be shown in different ways, like love letters, speeches, or songs. Love declarations are usually clear and direct.

When one person tells another that they are in love, it is called a declaration of love.

Examples in art and literature

A well-known example of expressing love is found in Shakespeare's play Romeo and Juliet. During the balcony scene, Juliet tells Romeo, who is standing outside her window, that she loves him. Romeo then shares his love for Juliet, showing that both people are in love and agree to be together.

Another example is from Jane Austen's Pride and Prejudice, where Mr. Darcy tells Elizabeth, "In vain have I struggled. It will not do. My feelings will not be repressed. You must allow me to tell you how ardently I admire and love you." This is both a confession and a declaration of love. Elizabeth is surprised by Darcy's words because she does not feel the same way. She explains that she feels a sense of duty because he expressed his feelings, even though she does not return them. She also says she has never wanted his approval and that he gave it unwillingly, showing that his declaration was not wanted and did not succeed.

Historical occurrences

In the oldest known text written in Icelandic, a faded and hard to read runic inscription from the 10th or 11th century, the word "ást" appears. This word means "love" in Icelandic. Some people think the writer of the text was expressing love for something.

Non-verbal declarations

A love letter is a traditional way to show love without using words. It lets the writer take time to think, change, and improve their message so it is clear and detailed.

Love messages can sometimes be written or carved in places like cities or nature. Many governments and cities see these as illegal because they damage public areas. People often try to make these messages last forever. If a message is permanent, it is thought to be lasting or eternal.

One example is lovers’ arborglyphs, which are carvings made in living trees. These are a well-known romantic tradition, but they can spread disease among beech trees.

A more recent example is the love lock, which is a padlock with the names of lovers engraved on it. These locks were first seen on the Pont des Arts bridge in Paris in 2008. They became very popular worldwide but are now considered illegal in many places. In Paris, people have started a public campaign to stop this practice.