“Many people ask us about our very unusual logo.
The logo itself was discovered by one of our generous American supporters, Roberta Ahmanson, in a 13th century manuscript in London’s famous Victoria and Albert Museum. When Roberta kindly suggested we might adopt it, I was thrilled. I delight in the symbolism: the heart, the cross to show the fundamental Christian values on which HART is based (unconditional love underpinning compassion for all - whatever their faith, or none – with commitment to turning compassion into aid for those in need and advocacy for those who are oppressed); and the crown of flowers symbolising what you will (flowers of charity; a crown of thorns transformed into a crown of life…).
BUT there was a BIG PROBLEM: at the heart of the heart there is a symbol – and I did not know what it represented. It is quite a risk to adopt a Logo with a heart with an unknown symbol in the centre! But I felt the whole composition was benign and I took the risk (uneasily!). Then, on a flight from Kuala Lumpur to Singapore, I sat next to a Chinese man who asked about our work, so I gave him my card. He promptly asked the dreaded question: ‘What is the symbol in the heart?’.
I confessed my ignorance and he informed me that it is a Chinese character. With foreboding I enquired its meaning (fearing something like ‘ugly English snake’). He enlightened me: ‘It is “Ta”, which means “Big”’.
Whew! I left that flight so happy! I hope it is a sign that we are meant to have a BIG heart of compassion to serve those in need – and that we will be given the resources to do so! Then, a few months later, lecturing at a |University in Southern Korea, I was again asked about the Logo. With more confidence, I recounted the story. They replied ‘That character does not only mean “Big”; it can mean “Huge”’.
Whew! I just hope we will have a Huge Heart of Compassion – and, one day, the resources to go with it!!”
- Caroline Cox, founder and CEO
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