Ljubav
All-Encompassing Love (Serbian/Croatian/Bosnian)
Standard Definition:
Ljubav is the fundamental Slavic word for love, encapsulating everything from romantic devotion to deep care for one’s homeland, family, or passions.
Poetic Meaning:
A river flowing endlessly to the sea, a flame that never dies. Love, as vast as the sky, as close as the breath between words.
Storytelling Etymology:
From Proto-Slavic ljubiti (to love), ljubav carries a sense of something deeply treasured, a connection that is not easily broken.
Cultural Context & Symbolism:
In Serbian, Croatian, and Bosnian cultures, ljubav is spoken with weight—it is more than just affection; it is a commitment, a deep bond that shapes lives and histories.
Poem:
From mountain high to ocean deep,
Love’s voice will echo where hearts keep.
In every song, in every prayer,
Ljubav lingers, always there.
Reflection:
Ljubav teaches us that love is not just something we feel—it is something we live. It is the invisible thread that ties us to our past, our people, and our future.
