Python Program to Print Heart Pattern

You can print a heart pattern in Python using nested for loops and if conditions to print stars in the shape of a heart, for example: for row in range(6): for col in range(7): print('*' if (row == 0 and col % 3 != 0) or (row == 1 and col % 3 == 0) or (row - col == 2) or (row + col == 8) else ' ', end=''); print().

Examples

InputNo input needed

Output ** ** * * * * * * * * * * * **

InputNo input needed

Output ** ** * * * * * * * * * * * **

InputNo input needed

Output ** ** * * * * * * * * * * * **

How to Think About It

To print a heart pattern, think of the shape as a grid of rows and columns. Use loops to go through each position and decide if a star or space should be printed based on the position's relation to the heart shape. The heart can be formed by combining two upper arcs and a lower triangle shape.

Algorithm

1

Loop through each row of the pattern

2

Inside each row, loop through each column

3

Check if the current position matches the heart shape conditions

4

If yes, print a star; otherwise, print a space

5

Move to the next line after each row

Code

python

for row in range(6):
    for col in range(7):
        if (row == 0 and col % 3 != 0) or 
           (row == 1 and col % 3 == 0) or 
           (row - col == 2) or 
           (row + col == 8):
            print('*', end='')
        else:
            print(' ', end='')
    print()

Output

  ** ** 
 *  *  *
*      *
*      *
 *    * 
  *  * 

Dry Run

Let's trace the heart pattern printing for the first two rows.

1

Row 0, Columns 0 to 6

Positions 1, 2, 4, 5 print '*', others print ' '

2

Row 1, Columns 0 to 6

Positions 0, 3, 6 print '*', others print ' '

Row	Col	Condition Met	Print
0	0	False	' '
0	1	True	'*'
0	2	True	'*'
0	3	False	' '
0	4	True	'*'
0	5	True	'*'
0	6	False	' '
1	0	True	'*'
1	1	False	' '
1	2	False	' '
1	3	True	'*'
1	4	False	' '
1	5	False	' '
1	6	True	'*'

Why This Works

Step 1: Upper arcs of the heart

The first two rows create the two rounded tops of the heart using conditions on row and column positions.

Step 2: Lower triangle shape

The conditions row - col == 2 and row + col == 8 create the slanting sides of the heart's bottom.

Step 3: Printing stars and spaces

Stars are printed where conditions are true to form the heart shape; spaces fill the rest to keep the shape clear.

Alternative Approaches

Using string patterns

python

heart = [
  '  ** **  ',
  ' *  *  * ',
  '*      *',
  '*      *',
  ' *    * ',
  '  *  *  ',
  '   **   '
]
for line in heart:
    print(line)

This method is simpler and uses predefined strings but is less flexible for resizing.

Using mathematical equation

python

for y in range(15, -15, -1):
    for x in range(-30, 30):
        if (x*0.04)**2 + (y*0.1)**2 - 1 <= 0 and (x*0.04)**2 + (y*0.1)**2 - 1 >= -0.3:
            print('*', end='')
        else:
            print(' ', end='')
    print()

This uses math to draw a smooth heart shape but is more complex and slower.

Complexity: O(n*m) time, O(1) space

Time Complexity

The program uses nested loops over rows (n) and columns (m), so time grows with the size of the pattern.

Space Complexity

Only a few variables are used; printing is done directly, so space is constant.

Which Approach is Fastest?

Using predefined strings is fastest but less flexible; loop-based drawing is more flexible but slightly slower.

Approach	Time	Space	Best For
Loop with conditions	O(n*m)	O(1)	Flexible patterns
Predefined strings	O(n)	O(n*m)	Simple fixed patterns
Mathematical equation	O(n*m)	O(1)	Smooth shapes, complex