The Lost Language of Symbolism

by Harold Bayley

The Lost Language of Symbolism by Harold Bayley is a comprehensive exploration of the hidden meanings and symbolism behind various symbols and images found in art, literature, and mythology. The book delves into the use of symbols throughout history and across cultures, including ancient Egypt, Greece, and Rome, as well as medieval Europe and the Renaissance.Bayley examines a wide range of symbols, from animals and plants to numbers and colors, and discusses their significance in various contexts. He also explores the use of symbols in religious and occult practices and their role in shaping cultural beliefs and values.The Lost Language of Symbolism is a fascinating and informative read for anyone interested in the power of symbols and their influence on human thought and behavior. The book is well-researched and includes numerous illustrations and examples to help readers better understand the complex world of symbolism.1912. Contains both original volumes in one. This work contains an inquiry into the origin of certain letters, words, names, fairy tales, folklore and mythologies. In these studies, Mr. Bayley has taken all symbolism to be his province, but the subjects illustrated are previously uninterpreted printers' marks and paper marks. Most of these signs have entirely lost their primitive significance, and are now used purely for commercial purposes; but there was a time when they were not only trade signs, but were also hieroglyphics, under which the pearl of great price was revered. Part Parable of the Pilgrim; Ways of Ascent; The Millenium; Good Spirit; Hosts of the Lord; King Solomon; King Shulamite; Cinderella; Star of the Sea; Eye of the Universe; President of the Mountains. Part Heavenly Twins; White Horse; Sign of the Cross; Night of Fires; Stone Hinge; Garden of Allah; Tree of Life; Via Dolorosa; This scarce antiquarian book is a facsimile reprint of the old original and may contain some imperfections such as library marks and notations. Because we believe this work is culturally important, we have made it available as part of our commitment for protecting, preserving, and promoting the world's literature in affordable, high quality, modern editions, that are true to their original work.

Genres: History, Mythology, Art, Nonfiction, Reference

782 pages, Hardcover

First published June 1, 1974

Reviews

[Anima · Rating 4 out of 5]

“…pyr, the Greek for fire. The word pyre, meaning with us a funeral fire, is the base of pyramid (Greek pyramis) and the pyramid or cone was apparently at one time a universal symbol of the Primal Fire. The Brahmins express SIVA, the God of fire, by a pyramid; and in the Buddihst Temples of Japan the Five Elements- Ether, Air, Fire, Water and Earth-are denoted respectively by a Ball, Crescent, Pyramid, Sphere, and Cube…..Plato assumed the Pyramid to be first of all forms, and Plutarch mantains that “the only first form is the Pyramid.”..
One must postulate a root fu, meaning fire, to account for such word as feu, fuoco, fuego, fuse, fuzee, feuer, fever, fire, etc,,, The fabulous Phoenix, said to have been born of fire, resolves into fo en ix , the Fire, the One Great Fire….
The Chinese call the yellow Phoenix a To Fu (resplendent fire?) and say that whenever the world is peaceful the note of the To Fu “ will be heard like the tolling of a bell”

[RRex · Rating 5 out of 5]

Some content is pure BS, but there is some gold.

A deeper read yielded more than expected.

A definite must-read for students of etymology.