The Secret Language of Symbols: A Visual Key to Symbols and Their Meanings

by David Fontana

In this highly readable and vividly illustrated book, best-selling author David Fontana traces the origins of hundreds of symbols and symbol systems that have impacted human culture, art, history, literature, and even dreams. From chakras and the I Ching to the tarot and the zodiac, from mythical beasts to magical numbers, these are the symbols that shape consciousness. Visual artists, students, and soul searchers of every stripe will want to deepen their knowledge of these intriguing icons. Now in a compact and handy size, it s more practical than ever for both reference and inspiration.

Genres: Nonfiction, Reference, History, Art, Spirituality, Psychology, Mythology

256 pages, Paperback

Published February 1, 2003

About the author

Librarian Note: There is more than one author by this name in the Goodreads database.

David G.J. Fontana FBPsS was a British psychologist, parapsychologist and author. He was Professor of Psychology at Cardiff University. He was also visiting professor at Liverpool John Moores University and the University of Algarve.

Reviews

[Jennifer · Rating 2 out of 5]

It's a decent book on symbols, but written for the beginner, not the intermediate or expert. It definitely has a great collection of illustrations, but I found myself frustrated by some of the brief explanations.

[Christy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Interesting book, great photos/art, great information. I always like to get more than one perspective on these type of things, though. This book is definitely not an all-in-one authority on the topic, which is obvious from it's size, but a great start and very informative. to it's credit, for it's size, it was more than I expected.

[Aiden · Rating 2 out of 5]

The pictures are fun to look at. Mostly focuses on European culture and symbology with occasional references to other cultures. If you're looking for something systematic, in-depth, comparative across cultures keep looking.

[Erica Conklin · Rating 3 out of 5]

almost makes you want to take an art therapy class doesn't it?

[Karen · Rating 5 out of 5]

A wonderful reference for symbols of all kinds.

[Anthony Thompson · Rating 4 out of 5]

A pretty thorough coffee table book that offers sincere and well considered summaries of the subject matter at hand.

Beautiful photos throughout.

Honestly probably should be reprinted with a hardback coat and placed on those goth tables at the bookstores. It's a better primer than most books for this side of the book section.

[Emkoshka]

Abandoned on 27 June 2025 at p. 44

This is what I would call a "look book" not a book you read from cover to cover. Hell, it's taken me nearly three months to get through 40 pages. I thought it would be good and useful for developing my knowledge of symbols to inform my work as a sandtray therapist, but I just can't justify the slog any longer.

[aldo zirsov · Rating 3 out of 5]

good and comprehensive book on symbology for beginners...
rating: 3.5 of 5

[Anthony Patten · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good insight, good general information. One of those books you get if you can memorize info, not if you count on understanding.

[Stef · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good overall book on the meanings and background of symbols. I use it as a resource to look things up, rather than something that I've read from cover to cover.

[Jeff · Rating 4 out of 5]

Always fun to trace symbols. & meanings . A good place to start

[Sharon Miller · Rating 5 out of 5]

Beautiful coffee table/Art book, feel like a real grimoire.

[Center for Sacred Sciences Library]

what did I think of this book? Good questions, lot's of space to say what I thought. Probably this is a review field. yikes.

[Tate · Rating 2 out of 5]

A mile wide but an inch deep.