Symbols and Their Meanings: The Illustrated Guide to More Than 1,000 Symbols -- Their Traditional and Contemporary Significance

by Jack Tresidder

Some of the most familiar icons we see around us every day--things we associate with luck or longevity, religion and magic--had deeper, more fascinating meanings at their inception. Since symbols predate writing as a way of communication, they became, for humanity, visual shorthand. Plants and animals, patterns and graphics, the cosmos, the human body--they each have played a significant part in the profound messages sent throughout the centuries. Complete with a reference section covering the major symbol systems, this volume offers a look at how symbolism constantly renews itself as a way for different cultures to give significance to human life.

Genres: Nonfiction, Reference, Mythology, History, Cultural

184 pages, Hardcover

First published March 25, 2000

Reviews

[Onírica · Rating 3 out of 5]

Le falta extensión y profundidad, o quizá soy yo, que no acepto que es un libro-diccionario generalista.

[Ruric Amhari · Rating 3 out of 5]

Overview of symbols and how they have been used to communicate ideas about life and the natural and supernatural worlds.

Book split into a number of main sections: spirit incarnate; soul, mind and supernatural; animal world; plant kingdom; spirits of the cosmos; art and artefacts; patterns and graphics; symbol systems.

Lots of clear photos and diagrams plus easy to read and engaging text.

[Stéphanie · Rating 2 out of 5]

Plutôt mauvais. L'ouvrage est assez superficiel, et fournit même des informations erronées. Bref, le Dictionnaire des Symboles de Jean Chevalier reste très largement LA référence en matière d'interprétation de symboles.

[Brian Hull · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was really informative about a lot of general things. This is a book that I can go back to, often, to reference certain topics. Good read!

[Ian Kloester · Rating 4 out of 5]

A handy reference for anyone wanting to understand the origins and meaning of visual messages placed in art over the centuries. Feels a little too jam packed. Could have suited a larger page size.