Historical "emotional layout diagrams" unveiling insights into contemporary thought processes
In a fascinating exploration of the past, researchers have delved into the historical variations in the perception of emotions in the body, focusing on the ancient civilization of Mesopotamia.
It appears that the way Mesopotamians thought about emotions in the body may have differed significantly from our modern understanding. Instead of associating emotions primarily with brain functions, as we do today, Mesopotamian texts and iconography often located emotions and mental states in the heart or diaphragm area.
For instance, the liver, a central organ in Mesopotamian beliefs, was associated with joyous feelings. This connection could be traced back to the belief that the liver was the seat of the soul, a concept that may have influenced the association of the organ with positive emotions.
Similarly, anger was linked to the legs, a stark contrast to present-day associations. The heart, on the other hand, was considered the center of thought and emotion, a concept also seen in other ancient Near Eastern and early Hebrew traditions.
This anthropomorphic approach, where emotions were linked to internal organs rather than abstract brain functions, reflects the cultural and religious understandings of the time. It was only much later, with advances in anatomy and psychology, that the brain became recognized as the primary organ of emotional processing.
In 2013, researchers in Finland created 'body maps' of emotions by asking people to match their body parts to different emotional experiences. A follow-up study in 2024 aimed to map emotions of people living around 3000 years ago in Mesopotamia. The researchers analyzed one million words from ancient texts to find links between emotional expressions and body parts.
The study did not provide an explanation for why happiness was associated with the liver and anger with the legs in Mesopotamia. However, it does suggest that cultural beliefs about the body may influence how emotions are felt and perceived.
Today, we often talk about 'gut feelings' and 'gut-wrenching anxiety' because physiological changes can affect our emotions, creating a feedback loop between the body and the mind. Both positive and negative emotions can cause changes in breathing, sweating, skin sensitivity, salivation, blood flow, body temperature, facial tension, and digestive system.
As we continue to unravel the mysteries of the human mind and emotions, understanding the historical differences in these perceptions can provide valuable insights into our own experiences. The study's findings contribute to our understanding of the cultural and historical variations in the perception of emotions in the body, offering a glimpse into the emotional world of ancient Mesopotamia.
- The relationship between emotions and internal organs in the ancient Mesopotamian culture, such as associating happiness with the liver and anger with the legs, differs significantly from contemporary perceptions that associate emotions primarily with brain functions.
- Modern research in science, particularly psychology, has recognized the brain as the primary organ of emotional processing, a realization that happened much later in history.
- Future studies in health-and-wellness can benefit from understanding historical differences in emotion perception, as such insights may provide valuable perspectives on our own emotional experiences.
- Mental health is not just an abstract concept, but can also be linked to physiological changes in the body, as demonstrated by the colloquial use of 'gut feelings' and 'gut-wrenching anxiety'.
