Signs & Symbols of the World: Over 1,001 Visual Signs Explained

by D.R. McElroy

This informative and engaging illustrated reference provides the stories behind 1,001 signs and symbols, from ancient hieroglyphs to modern-day political and subculture symbols.

What in the world does Ω mean? And what about its meaning might have led my coffee date to tattoo it on his entire forearm? Where did the symbol ∞ originate, and what was its first meaning? How did the ampersand symbol & come about and how was it applied daily in book publishing? And what is the full story behind that staring eye on top of the pyramid on our American dollar bill? This comprehensive guide to signs and symbols explains.

Find Learn all about the signs and symbols that surround us and their part in our rich world history.

Genres: Nonfiction, History, Reference, Ebooks, Education

256 pages, Paperback

First published May 5, 2020

Reviews

[Janelle · Rating 4 out of 5]

An interesting and and informative look at signs and symbols around the world. Divided into sections from alchemy, medicine, religion, military and more, it’s was good to dip in and out of where it caught my eye.

[Flybyreader · Rating 4 out of 5]

Both enlightening and intriguing, I enjoyed reading this book on signs and symbols of the world. The spectrum is broad and comprehensive, it contains enough detail to ignite curiosity but not too much technicality that makes you want to kill yourself. A great balance of title and content.
I especially loved the chapters on chemistry and medicine; my favorite parts were language, writing and punctuation which are my special interests. I have learnt much of etymology, historical and archeological backgrounds of many symbols. The topics like witchcraft, alchemy and paganist symbols were bewitchingly interesting and informative. I found some parts unnecessary though, such as digital, manufacturing and shipping, either known too well by everyone or of no interest to most people. However overall a good quality, well-researched, informative and interesting book that is well worth your time.

(I received a copy from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.)

[8stitches 9lives · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a compelling and thoroughly enjoyable read from start to finish with plenty of insight into a fascinating topic written in an accessible and eminently readable fashion. Not only it insightful and educational but it's also entertaining to read; the best of both worlds. Filled with prominent signs and symbols as well those on the more esoteric side, McElroy takes us on a jaunt through different periods of time, different religions and a vast array of topics all utilising signs and symbolism and gives a brief overview and explanation of them, where they originate and what they mean. What more could you ask for?

[Natalie all_books_great_and_small · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received an advance reader copy of this book to read in exchange for an honest review via netgalley and the publishers.

This is a well put together and knowledgeable book of signs and symbols from ancient times all the way up to presant times.

Each chapter shows a different set of symbols with basic information for each and information about why and when they were used and by whom.

This is a great book of knowledge for anyone with an interest in ancient times or symbols in general.

[Poptart19 (the name’s ren) · Rating 2 out of 5]

2 stars

I enjoyed flipping through this book, but there are better reference books out there for design & symbology. The image quality is low, & the information included is very basic/not comprehensive, & lacks references/citations.

[What I liked:]

•The layout & fonts & general design of the book are appealing. The “chapters” are brief, have a nice balance between text & images, & the book is enjoyable to browse through.

•While not comprehensive, there is a nice variety of subjects covered, including mythology, religion, writing systems, astrology, the chemical table of elements, traffic signs, etc.


[What I didn’t like as much:]

•Some of the images are low quality & are very blurry or pixelated when I tried to zoom in on them a bit on my phone screen. It’s like low resolution clip art was used instead of designing or creating the art specifically for the book.

•Myth, writing, & art symbols from Asia, Europe, & the Americas are included, but there is no representation of African cultures (besides ancient Egypt) or Australian/Pacific Islander cultures, which was disappointing.

•The photos are credited in the back of the book, but there are no references or citations for the factual claims in the text.

[I received an ARC ebook copy from NetGalley in exchange for my honest review. Thank you for the book!]

[Regina Hunter · Rating 5 out of 5]

Signs & Symbols of the World by D.R. McElray is a colorful and exceptionally informative encyclopedia. For someone who had read a variety of encyclopedias on the subject, there is very little that can surprise me. I have never heard of an angelic symbolism, which was quite peculiar, especially how people create it. Book is perfect as a shelf piece and a page-turner. Displaying this book will in no way hinder the look of the shelf.
The best part of the book? It is difficult to remember everything at once, so the reader has always something to discover when coming back to it. Simply and utterly perfect.

[Zee Monodee · Rating 5 out of 5]

Found this book absolutely riveting and a wealth of knowledge, a true treasure trove of information that was exposed in a concise manner and that covered so much range in between the topics. A great resource to have, especially if you write paranormal stories or have a fascination with paranormal and magic and the occult

[Kerry Pickens · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received an Advanced Review Copy of this book from Netgalley. This graphic dictionary would make an excellent gift for a middle school boy that is a visual learner.

[Lizz (Beer, Books and Boos) · Rating 4 out of 5]

I have never read a book like this before and it was very interesting. I really enjoyed learning about all the different signs and symbols but I think I need the physical copy of the book to getting the full effect of what the author was trying to do.

[Mary Foxe · Rating 1 out of 5]

Me: La de da. I don't know much about symbols, just trying to find a good reference book.

Book: Hey, this is Loki and his pets.

Me: ... You should be glad you are digital or I would throw you across the room right now you ignorant piece of code. THAT IS CLEARLY LOKI'S CHILDREN! BE GONE VILE BOOK! BE GONE! I CAN TRUST YOU WITH NOTHING! NOTHING!!!

[Sharondblk · Rating 1 out of 5]

I received a free e-arc of this book in exchange for an honest review.

I try to be nice when reviewing books. Even if they are "not for me" often I can see who a book might be for. This is a book I have nothing nice to say about.

It does talk about signs and symbols, but not in any logical, or systematic way. It just comes across as a fairly arbitrary list of symbols, with very brief, simplistic descriptions. There are a couple of places I noticed the text was just incorrect - like the information about Scottish tartans, and other where it is misleading, like when they brag about the American dollar being the currency of the world, and then say that "Australia and Canada also use the dollar, but they have different values". We could explore why we all call out currency "dollar".
It mixes widely used symbols (like putting the hands up for "surrender") with popular culture (the Vulcan "live long and prosper hand gesture) with no explanation as to the cultural difference. If you know, you don't need this book, and if you don't it will just confuse you more.

Mainly I can't see the point of this book. It's not a reference book and it doesn't explore anything, It just exists.

[Kristen Morris · Rating 4 out of 5]

“Signs and Symbols of the World” by D.R. McElroy was an intriguing read containing a wealth of knowledge though a wide variety of categories. Topics such as alchemy, Celtic symbols, chemistry, currency, ideograms, military, music, mythology, popular gesture, religion, and more, delivered to the reader in way to give one just the right amount of information on the origin and background of any given symbol, without going overboard and losing the reader.

McElroy’s writing style and organization of the content is well put together. Even the most knowledgeable readers will learn something new on the symbols we see every day. I would absolutely recommend this book as a gift or as a display in your home. Great conversation starter as a coffee table book or a great gift for those with curious minds.

A sincere thank you to NetGalley and Quarto Publishing Group – Chartwell Books, for providing me an advance copy (ARC) of this book in exchange for an honest review. I am grateful to have had the opportunity to read this story and leave my review voluntarily.

[laladebombay · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was beyond the moon reading this mammoth of a book. It is educational and entertaining in equal measure which is what makes it so perfect. Each symbol mentioned has a crisp historical anecdote and information regarding its usage.

I do believe that symbols are a very intrinsic part of our lives, so commonplace that we often don't think of them as a separate entity (unless one has to give a driving test haha) I think this gorgeous book {and it is gorgeous} can find a cozy place on your coffee table, I'm certainly going to buy it for mine!

Thank you for giving me the opportunity to read this creation!

[Annie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Originally posted on my blog: Nonstop Reader.

Signs & Symbols of the World is a comprehensive reference of more than 1000 symbols collected and curated by D. R. McElroy. Due out 6th July 2021 from Quarto on their Chartwell imprint, it's 256 pages and will be available in paperback and ebook formats (ebook available now).

The formal study of symbols and signage, semiotics, is fascinating. The fact that an abbreviated, sometimes tenuously related squiggle can convey information without words is amazing. This book gathers a chiliad (love that word) of symbols together for reference and perusal. In addition to the symbols themselves, the author provides an engaging overview over the history, development, and minutiae behind the symbol categories. This is a very wide ranging collection, everything from uniform rank symbols to alchemical and astrological symbols are included.

The entries are grouped thematically: alchemy, ancient & modern civilizations, astrology, celtic symbols, chemistry, digital, currency (yes, it bugged me too that this is the only chapter out of alphabetical order), ideograms, language, manufacturing, medical, military, music, mythology, popular gestures, religion, sex & gender, sigils & paganism, transportation, and writing & punctuation. In addition to the line drawn basic symbols, there are numerous colored illustrations and some photographs reproduced here. The photography and digital rendering of the symbols in electronic format is formatted and clear enough to follow. Some chapters have practical and/or academic uses, there's a capsule introduction to the periodic table, for example, with a clear explanation of the symbols used to identify and categorize each element. There are some clearly intentional omissions. In the chapter for hand gestures, for example, the "finger" (the "bird", "one finger salute") is overlooked. The author does advise caution when using hand gestures, especially abroad, as meanings vary widely by location. There are some whimsical additions as well - in the same chapter, the author has included both the Vulcan "live long and prosper" symbol as well as "Wakanda forever".

In general, this is a good introduction to a broad range of symbols with some background. It's accessible for all-ages and will give enthusiastic readers enough basic information to investigate further. Since it's appropriate for all ages, it would make a good school or public library selection as well as potential source material for tattoos, drawings, sketching, or journal use.

Four stars. Lots of interesting general info.

Disclosure: I received a copy of this book at no cost from the author/publisher for review purposes.

[J Earl · Rating 5 out of 5]

Signs & Symbols of the World: Over 1,001 Visual Signs Explained by D.R. McElroy is a fairly comprehensive collection of symbols and their very basic meanings.

While this is a good reference book it is not a scholarly reference book. I don't mean to say it doesn't have a place in a scholar's library but it is neither exhaustive in its descriptions nor does it offer a bibliography or any notes. This is neither a positive nor a negative in and of itself, just something readers need to understand. I miss having a bibliography but I think that is just my personal quirk. This book offers enough information that if I want to research further I have a jumping off point here. Space is also, I think, a consideration. With so many signs and symbols from such a wide range of uses, a bibliography or reference section could get to be as long as the body of the book. I think, for what it is, a general reference for casual readers who want to have access to information, it works wonderfully.

I found the presentation to be appealing and I, for one, was neither confused about the layout or had problems knowing what captions went with what images. This is not a book on semiotics and does not get into a lot of depth, but most people who want a book covering this wide of an area don't want or need great depth, that can be found elsewhere, this is to answer the question "what is that symbol?" Why and how is a topic for another book(s).

I see two main places where this book will be very popular. First is the person who simply likes to have a handy source that can answer the basic question of what a particular symbol is. This person will also likely enjoy reading through the book, whether cover to cover or jumping around. And it certainly doesn't hurt that this is an attractive book and, at 8"x10", can sit on a bookshelf or on a tabletop for display. The second place is the academic or researcher (writers, game developers, etc) who wants a handy reference to place a found symbol within a context or, conversely, to find symbols within an area they are working.

Reviewed from a copy made available by the publisher via NetGalley.

[Westveil Books · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was granted eARC access to Signs & Symbols of the World by the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. My thoughts are my own and my review is honest.

Overall this is a really interesting book for those who are curious about the world. It would be great as a coffee table book, something for waiting rooms, or a treasured addition to the bookshelves of the generally curious. In some cases, like with laundry and dashboard symbols, this is the only reference someone would need. In most cases, this is a jumping-off point; an introduction to a topic one might want to look into further.

It's full of things you might expect to see in a book on symbols, like a brief introduction to ancient hieroglyphics, a full explanation of western and eastern astrology symbols, a guide to what the markings on your laundry labels mean, etc. It also has things you probably wouldn't ever dream of finding in such a broad, general guide, like Scottish tartans and what common animals in mythology tend to represent.

Could you learn to read sheet music from this book? Yes, enough to teach yourself basic piano or sing from sheet music. Are you going to translate hieroglyphics or ancient Celtic runes from the brief mentions here? Probably not. This is an introduction, and those are complex linguistic archaeology topics.

My biggest criticism of this book (besides the fact that the eARC had individual page orientation issues - I don't expect to see that in the final printing) is how USA-centric it is. For example, in the section on common gestures, the "hand over heart" gesture is explained for lots of cultures with China mentioned in the first two sentences... but the heading is "Pledge of Allegiance." Really guys? This Canadian galley reviewer is rolling her eyes.

If you're curious about the world around you, want an interesting conversation starter for your living room, or have a waiting room to adorn with reading material, this is definitely a great option.

[Theediscerning · Rating 3 out of 5]

Covering in its own sweet way everything from how the symbols in the Highway Code were developed to whether or not Oreo cookies have alchemical, potentially satanist marks on them, this is a very interesting pictorial discussion of all such things. It is, however, a quite frustrating one. Yes, it can show us some Chinese kanji, but surely so few of them it's just a double-page spread of them for the novelty of seeing them (and another thing, why is that for 'morality' next door to the one for 'thick'?!). Yes, the book has a great scope of things, but only manages to touch on them in the briefest of fashion. So we don't get the full tarot, just the glyphs for the major arcana, and we get next to nothing about how the Polynesian tattoo has turned from unique cultural essence to skank stamp (I'm serious in saying that when I grow up and become a scientist I will do a study into how many people with such twatty, tatty tats can actually draw anything like the design, and I'm sure the percentage will be on the fingers of two hands at most).

No, this book is definitely aware that it can only cope with a dozen of the traditional Tartan patterns, or only some of the world's more obscure traffic warning signs. Where this book does come into its own is in being a basic primer for so many diverse messaging systems – the Welsh love spoon has a language all its own, so that's here, and so on. Get past the frustration of having half a page to it, and two images, and you'll be grateful for the heads-up into it existing, but that's all it is. There's a fine line between the vital (hazardous material and other warning signs) and the utterly trivial. This book then is a shop window to copious ways of passing on messages, claiming familiarity and kinship, and everything else the subjects represented. But a shop window, or use the Internet's vastest databases to see the full picture? Those little stars alongside this write-up may suitably imply I'm not sure which I would be more grateful to use in future.

[Pop Bop · Rating 4 out of 5]

"Sign, sign, everywhere a sign", (Five Man Electrical Band)

So, do you know the difference between an amulet and an emblem, or a glyph and an icon, or an ideogram and a pictograph, or an insignia and a sigil? Well, I do now, and I had a remarkably enjoyable time reading about and learning about all these sorts of signs and symbols. This book is a treasure trove of fascinating trivia, (not that there's anything trivial about civilization's oldest form of communication), and an entertaining and congenial companion.

The book is heavy on text, but doesn't skimp on illustrations, (which is, of course, essential when the topic is signs). The organization is wildly idiosyncratic, but I suppose that is to be expected, and I'm not sure if there is any better way to organize such material. The general early flow is historical, in that the first chapters address Alchemy, Ancient Civilizations, Astrology, and Celtic Symbols. The proper order for Chemistry, Currency, Ideograms, Medical, Military, Musical, Transportation, and so on, (apart from being alphabetical), is however you would like it, and mostly just serves to emphasize the extreme skimmability of this work.

And skim you should. The tone is engaging and entertaining, but not jokey or casually superficial. This book has not only breadth but depth. There is a great deal of information packed in here in handy sidebar and factoid style, and at least one pleasant, amusing, or intriguing surprise on every page.

So, this was a delightful find. And I can thrill my associates with explanations of the differences among the "Eye of Ra", the "Eye of Horus", the "All-Seeing Eye", and the "Evil Eye". A real treat.

(Please note that I received a free advance will-self-destruct-in-x-days Adobe Digital copy of this book without a review requirement, or any influence regarding review content should I choose to post a review. Apart from that I have no connection at all to either the author or the publisher of this book.)

[Flocarine · Rating 4 out of 5]

escription
This informative and engaging illustrated reference provides the stories behind 1,001 signs and symbols, from ancient hieroglyphs to modern-day political and subculture symbols.

What in the world does Ω mean? And what about its meaning might have led my coffee date to tattoo it on his entire forearm? Where did the symbol ∞ originate, and what was its first meaning? How did the ampersand symbol & come about and how was it applied daily in book publishing? And what is the full story behind that staring eye on top of the pyramid on our American dollar bill? This comprehensive guide to signs and symbols explains.

Find within:More than 1,000 illustrationsAn extensive collection of written and cultural symbols, including animals, instruments, stones, shapes, numbers, colors, plants, food, parts of the body, religious and astrological symbols, emojis, and gesturesHistorical facts culled from a wide variety of sourcesLearn all about the signs and symbols that surround us and their part in our rich world history.

Elegantly designed and beautifully illustrated, the Complete Illustrated Encyclopedia series offers comprehensive, display-worthy references on a range of intriguing topics, including birthday astrology, dream interpretation, techniques for harnessing the power of dreams, and flower meanings.

My thoughts:
... yes, it is interesting, but the pictures are really crappy in the ebook, so this is an absolutely NONO for me! There are quite a lot of symols explained, but the book itself looks boring and not really made with love for little details or Designs ... yes, for me this is a plus, when you put a lot of effort into the book itself - it make books more interesting!

Note: 3 or C+

thanks for letting me read this ARC, I appreciate it - the opinion is my own!

[Joanna McQueen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Signs & Symbols of the World was a very interesting read, I learned a thing or two.
Actually, I learned a lot.
This book is loaded with information relating to symbols used by humans. When I finished this book I was surprised at how much I didn’t know about a lot of symbols.
I suppose we just take them for granted.

What’s particularly interesting is that we use symbols so frequently, yet somehow, we forget their origin or even their meaning. It was enlightening to learn the origins of some of the symbols, to understand the true meaning and even the original intent of a symbol. Like how the scarab beetle is not in a flesh eating monster as they are depicted in film. The scarab beetle was once thought of as a symbol of the sun god. Ancient Egyptians noticed they behaved in a similar manner as the sun and were surprised by how they reproduced, it seemed so miraculous it had to have been an intervention from the gods.

As humans, we use symbols to read, to write, to inform, to educate, to warn, to promote and to entertain. We use symbols for armies, for hospitals, for religion and for consumerism. In almost every aspect of any form of communication and most human behaviour, we use symbols. Yet, the meaning behind some symbols is quite surprising. It has been an enlightening read to learn how symbols have been adapted and modified to represent something completely different to its original intent.

There are many aspects of this book that I like. I especially enjoyed the plain language. As I was reading, I was struck with the ease of the descriptions and felt that it would be a great addition to a classroom library. So if you’re a teacher you may want to consider this book. It is educational, informative, interesting and it has lots of symbols (pictures).

[JoyReaderGirl1 · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Book Maven’s Journal Reviews for Word Connoisseurs
REVIEWER: J.Hunt

STAR RATING ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Sincere Appreciation Goes to NetGalley and Quarto Publishing – Chartwell Books for Providing this Advance Reader's Copy for Review

Signs & Symbols of the World – Over 1,100 Visual Signs Explained
By D. R. McElroy

Coming in July 2021…

What a terrific find! D. R. McElroy has done an impressive job compiling an extraordinarily extensive compendium of symbology that is both modern and esoteric, historical and useful.

This is a pictorial research and reference manual of signs and sigils; hieroglyphs and pictographs; currency; emoji; military insignia; flags; astrology signs; medical symbols; religious iconography; emblems; mythology; musical notes; writing and punctuation; and so much more.

McElroy’s book is organized into well-defined Chapters, and has included an 11-page Index at the back to cross-reference every topic covered (and there are lots and lots of fascinating attributions).

Following is a great little tidbit from the book that I find truly useful and informative. The “thumbs up” sign in the Western world is typically a symbol for something positive. It typically means “OK,” “Yes,” “I will” or “Good.”

McElroy, however, cautioned that all cultures do not interpret gestures in the same way. In the Middle East, he said that the “thumbs up” sign is considered an extremely rude action because it means, “up yours!” Good to know…

This is a book that you will read, reference, and read many times again. It will also make the perfect gift for all of your Trivia Guru friends!

[Nicki Markus · Rating 3 out of 5]

Signs and Symbols of the World was a mixed bag for me, so let me start with the things I liked about the book. The organisation of the symbols into topics worked well and allowed for comparison of like with like. The layout was also good, with a nice balance of text and images. Although some areas were US-focused there was generally a good inclusion of a wide range of symbols from different countries and cultures. However, one thing spoilt this book for me, and that was that I noticed an error. In the section on Chinese, Japanese and Korean, it mostly focused on discussing CJK Unified Ideographs. I have no issue with that. My concern is that in the introductory paragraph to the section the author claimed all three languages were ideographic. The main Korean writing system/alphabet, Hangeul, is, in fact, sound-based. Each letter represents a sound, and those sounds are built into syllable blocks, which are then combined to form words. The letters are based on the position of the mouth/tongue when making the sound, but it is not the case that each letter represents a thing or a concept. So this statement about it being an ideographic language was misleading. It did then make me question whether everything else in the book was factually correct.

In conclusion, I am giving this book 3 stars. It was a nicely presented work that covered symbols from a wide range of topics; however, I was left questioning the accuracy of the information presented.

I received this book as a free eBook ARC via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

[bee · Rating 5 out of 5]

Putting Signs and Symbols of the World together seems like such a monumental task. When I was reading through it, I couldn't believe how many different symbols there were! Yes, the subtitle says over 1001 signs, but that's not something you can compute until you actually see it.

McElroy does an excellent job of providing enough context to explain the symbol. This style also allows the reader to decide if they want to know more or not, at which point they could go research the symbol using the knowledge from this book.

I don't have a particular interest in technological, manufacturing, or scientific symbols, but I definitely find them useful and think it would be beneficial to have on hand if the need ever arose. I loved the inclusion of symbols from different cultures (like the Chinese Zodiac), as I think that would allow readers of all ages (but specifically young readers) the chance to broaden their worldview.

I definitely recommend buying this book, especially for those who may be super curious about the different facets that make up the world and our society. I know I eagerly await its publication.

Overall rating: 5/5

Signs & Symbols of the World will be available for purchase on July 6th. Be sure to add it to your Goodreads shelf and see where it's available for purchase. Also, be sure to check out D. R. McElroy's website!

I was lucky enough to be able to read this Advanced Reader's Copy through my partnership with NetGalley. All opinions are my own.

[Eva Maria · Rating 4 out of 5]

Whether we acknowledge it or not, we are surrounded by hundreds of symbols every day. Some of them are as old as humanity, while others have found their way in the modern, technological culture.

The book “Signs & Symbols of the world” offers a broad review of over 1000 symbols from subjects such as alchemy, astrology, chemistry, digital, language, military, music, mythology, religions, and pagan symbols and sigils.

It is a great informative read and starting point for further studies. This book is very interdisciplinary and would appear to a broad audience. “Signs & Symbols of the world” is not overwhelming with information and contains a wide variety of topics. It has a great graphic design and could be used as an inspiration for artistic work.

Who is this book for:

✦ Someone who loves learning and discovering the meaning of various symbols.
✦ A person interested in symbolism, religions, and mythology.
✦ Audience with eclectic hobbies that combine many interdisciplinary practices.
✦ Artists and writers, especially graphic designers and tattoo artists.
✦ Someone who needs a quick reference for various symbols and signs.

What could be improved:

The book is informative although in a minimalistic way. I’d love to see more narrowed downed topics in separate editions, for example - religion symbolism, mythological symbols, etc.

* Thank you NetGalley and the publisher for the eARC copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

[Mangeuse de Livres · Rating 2 out of 5]

Soooo.... this book has a great onjective in my opinion, reunite "all" the symbols of the world in a book is handy. Except this book is not handy at all, the organisation is messy and non user-friendly. For example, the part on the symbolism of plants includes Ogham (the druidic "tree" alphabet") and the Green Man (a sacred figure) wich don't have a lot to do in this section in my opinion. Also the chapter "ancient and modern civilisation" says it will show us the signification of symbols then and now but doesn't do it for every symbol ? It's all very confusing. There are also some repetitions within a couple of pages, the same symbol is sometimes addresses multiple times, like the symbols for planets/metals in alchemy.
The page layout is a bit terrible too. Parts overlap on one page, making it less pleasant to read. Some parts are also too short to be parts, like "alchemy symbols used for other purposes" (there are only 2 symbols if I remember correctly !). And sometimes it's hard to understand wich symbols we are talking about. The book also lacks homogeneity when it comes to the illustrations, wich bothers me immensly.
I learned some interesting facts tho and discovered symbols I didn't know like Zibu. I give it only 2 stars because I would'nt buy this book to be my reference on symbols, there are a ton of books ont his matter that are better.

[Lisa Konet · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was fascinating, intriguing and tickled my brain from start to end. Who doesn't like looking at different signs, weird pictures, etc? I loved learning more about the different zodiacs, international signs and more. This book has things I didn't even know existed so I think it is a good concise reference for people interested in the subject or people who are just curious.

The author obviously did a lot of research to look for the familiar signs and symbols to the less familiar and unheard of signs. The end result was this book is a complete reference, as mentioned before, but can also full under fascinating useless information/trivia. Hey, maybe this will be a Jeopardy category someday (haha).

I was very amused and intrigued by what I learned from this book. It was an easy read because it was mostly pictures and descriptions of each, so the size of this didn't bother me at all. I was surprised by how much I enjoyed this and glad I requested this. I definitely want to get a hard copy to own to share this wisdom with others. Perhaps it can help with the game Pictionary too!

Thanks to Netgalley, DR McElroy and Quarto Publishing-Wellfleet Press for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Available: 5/5/20

[Johanna Beachy · Rating 5 out of 5]

By far one of the most interesting and original books I have read this year (and maybe last year too). This is the type of book that those people who have a wealth of knowledge on a vast array of topics would love. People who enjoy word puzzles, watch Jeopardy, and enjoy historically accurate films or documentaries: this is for you.

Symbolism is all around us, overwhelmingly so in fact. And, if not already privy to all of the ways symbols, signs, glyphs surround us, I would recommend reading this in sections to prevent an “information overload.” Signs and symbols are often enigmatic, especially once one considers where that symbol came from. Signs and symbols are (in my personal opinion) more difficult than language. Symbols vary based on geographical location, time period, religious roots, and even language. Then take into account that that symbol could have hundreds or thousands of years of history attached to it; a history that could also encompass other geographical locations, cultural practices, religions and more.

What makes this book so fascinating is that it presents all the knowledge to you in a simple and easy to understand format, it is well organized and structured, and it allows for cultural pluralism without the reader even having to know what that is. Excellently crafted and a joy to dive into.

[Behrooz Parhami · Rating 4 out of 5]

The 20 chapters of this book deal with symbols in alchemy; ancient and modern civilizations; astrology, Celtic symbols; chemistry; digital; currency; ideograms; language; manufacturing; medical; military; music; mythology; popular gestures; religion; sex and gender; sigils and paganism; transportation; writing and punctuation. It covers the meanings and histories of well-known symbols, such as ampersand, the thumbs-up sign, and the mathematical symbol for infinity, as well as lesser-known symbols, such as the five-pointed star or the staring eye on top of the pyramid on the US dollar bill.

Elegantly designed and presented, this illustrated encyclopedia offers useful information on symbols from scientific disciplines as well as superstitious beliefs and subcultures (astrological signs, tarot-deck symbols, and dream interpretation, for example). All explanations are accompanied by figures and historical commentary. Photo/image credits follow Chapter 20.

[Vanessa · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thanks to Wellfleet Press for the ARC!

Nice read! It was interesting to learn more about signs and symbols. My favorite pages were the ones regarding our gestures. Lots of new information for me. When I requested this book, I thought I would recognize most of the symbols and would know what they meant. Now, after reading it, I've come to realize that there's much more about them and I had no idea. All my life I've been responding to these signs, but I didn't know why. And also, I was wrong about a few ones. Now things make much more sense.

The design is beautiful, very pleasant for the eyes of the reader.

The only reason I'm not giving it 5 stars is because I wanted it to be a little more complete, maybe. It was so interesting, I wanted to know more about a few subjects and suddenly the author was already changing the topic... But anyway, great introduction for beginners like me.

[Caoilo · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you to NetGally and Quarto Publishing Group for a copy of this book.


In this book McElroy explains some of the worlds most common symbols. The chapter pages are beautiful and the explanations easy to follow. Each type of symbol gets its own chapter and a handy table of contents and index, to make it easy to find what you are looking for.

Definitely more of a reference book than a cover to cover read. I found the majority of chapters interesting and informative. I did struggle with the Chapter on the element chart but that is a personal lack of interest.

The only aspect of the book that I was in anyway annoyed with was that the section on religion seemed to deal largely with Catholicism. Though there were other major religions mentioned there was nothing on Atheism or Agnosticism beliefs or symbols, in fact I don't recall seeing anything for evolutionists either. .

This is a must have book for writers and researchers alike.