The Origins of Heart Burial in Central Europe

There appear to be differences in the understanding of the unique symbolism in the heart in Western versus central Europe. Among medieval German speaking people, especially the Prince bishops who represented both secular and religious powers, other body parts such as bones or arms could also fulfill that function. For the English, the heart was important because it represented humanity's inner being. But in German speaking lands, it might just as well be your bones or your right hand that symbolize that core part of you.