The Meaning Behind “XO” on Valentine’s Day
Valentine’s Day is almost upon us, and it brings the promise of sweet nothings whispered to loved ones through greeting cards, emails, and even something called social media. And when we speak Southern—when we say “adorable” in our best Midwestern drawl—we can almost imagine the hushed tones of yesteryear, when people actually went out to dinner with one another. One popular sign-off in the context of sweet speeches is a little something called the “XO.” And we all know that “XO” stands for hugs and kisses. But does it really?
The Origins of the XO Symbols
Everyone is familiar with the symbols known as XO. Long before emojis, people used the ‘X’ to stand for “kiss” and the ‘O’ to stand for “hug.” Depending on how enthusiastic and affectionate the sender is feeling, the sentiment can be expressed simply as XO or more affectionately as XOXO. But we also encounter the letters X and O in the game of tic-tac-toe, where they are known as “crosses” and “naughts.” So, what do the letters X and O actually represent? After some research, I’ve discovered that there is no one-size-fits-all answer to this interesting question.
The Visual Interpretation of X and O
It is sometimes thought that the letters communicate only visually, with the ‘X’ symbolizing two mouths brought together in a kiss and the ‘O’ representing two pairs of arms embracing. Within today’s context of pictorial communication, this interpretation seems fitting. However, it is probably not the whole story. The ‘X’ was a widely used mark in the Middle Ages, when many people were illiterate. To sign a document, they were asked to make an ‘X.’ Everyone recognized it as a mark and lived with the faith that the signer had made the sign of the Christian cross as he or she rendered the ‘X.’
X as a Symbol of Promise and Faith
Not only did X function as a signature substitute, but it also served as an embossed seal for vital documents. When letters or documents that were promises of political or economic allegiance between rulers and their subjects were exchanged, X was taken to mean “sealed with a kiss,” a kind of promise made between parties. This led to the use of the acronym SWAK (sealed with a kiss) on letters sent home by soldiers to their loved ones during World War I. And so, from a sign of a solemn pledge between parties, X evolved into a symbol of romantic love.
The Mysterious Origins of “O” as a Hug Symbol
Much less is known or theorized about how “O” became the symbol for a hug. Some say that it was used by people who could not write in the Latin alphabet, particularly Jewish immigrants, when signing documents. Yet the number of speculative theories surrounding this symbol is almost as puzzling as the symbol itself. In fact, “X” and “O” are such naturally contrasting symbols that “O” was probably adopted as a natural complement to “X,” a mark of the kiss’s loving counterpart in the last half of the 19th century. And both “X” and “O” are said to have originated as symbols for tic-tac-toe.
The Evolution of XO as a Symbol of Love
The reality is that “X” and “O” are still common and recognized emblems of true love and affection. Yet they have an interesting history. They originated as signs of faith, not a flirtation. But in the 20th century, they morphed into signs of love and affection, particularly in the context of romantic relationships. Today, XO and its variants are used predominantly to express undying loyalty and affection to a romantic partner. Yet they are on the verge of being overused and even rendered meaningless—like the phrases “I love you” or “You complete me” when said too often.