Why Does the Evil Queen Collect Hearts?

I Do think she takes people's hearts to control them Lik sshe did with poor Graham/ the huntsman

"she removed it from herself, never to feel that way for anyone again, and is now rendered heartless."So she's Davy Jones? LOL.

It's possible. I want to say that she's not literally heartless though. But she does literally collect literal hearts. So maybe that is part of it. I mean, it has a certain appeal. However, I think it's just because it gives her POWER over other people. They have to do everything she says or she'll do exactly what she did to Graham and it is what said she would do the day she took it from him. I have seen that in a few other stories too.

For instance, there's Naraku in Inuyasha which I think is a VERY interesting comparison. He controls all of his "detachments" by their hearts. There's one or two scenes where he takes out the most rebellious one's heart and squeezes it. I think he eventually crushes it and kills her too. He has his own issues with hearts too--literally trying to remove his human one so that he can become a full demon.

I am not all convinced that she only keeps hearts in her vault. However, if she did, then it would seem to reason that she takes the hearts of people who have wronged her to make them feel as she feels. Which is empty. Plus, she needed the heart of her father for the curse she casts. Apparently hearts have good market value in fairytale land.

Maybe she lost her heart as a price for some magic she used.

I just noticed something kind of irrelevant but interesting just now. She's not wearing any nail polish on her last 2 fingers that are covering the glowing heart in the above picture. hah! If you've ever painted your nails, no matter how perfect they look, hold a flashlight up to your fingers on the palm side, and you'll see every brushstroke clearly. I guess someone thought that was too unattractive for this shot. ;D

i think it's to control people or to use their life force for her own magic but it does bother me why she seems to need a certain number...perhaps a certain number can give her the ability to live forever?

She feels lost and betrayed, not only by Snow but by everyone else who has dismissed her or turned her down. This constant rejection has turned her into a cold, lonely and heartbroken woman--but its the only way she knows how to protect herself. She wants to love but she no longer knows how, and if she can't have love and happiness in her life, then no one else can either. She takes their hearts so they can no longer feel, no longer love and no longer be happy.