Symbols, signs & visual codes

by Mark O'Connell, Raje Airey

Shows how signs and symbols have been used from the dawn of humanity to the modern age as a means of conveying belief, concepts and identity; illustrated with over 350 fine art images of signs and how they are used.

128 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 2007

Reviews

[Carole Tyrrell · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a book with a wide ambition.. It covers the subject of symbols from ancient times to the present day and how powerful and influential they are. They are can define who you are, what tribe or group you come from and even your world view. But not only through the art and sculpture you like but also via tattoos and jewellery.
This is really good looking book,’ profusely illustrated with full colour photos and reproductions of famous paintings, and is written by a psychologist and psychologist who clearly know their stuff and are good on archetypes. It’s full of fascinating symbols from the common to the more esoteric and how they travel through cultures and religions.
The book is divided into seven main themes; everyday living, patterns and graphics, myth and the cosmos, connecting with the spirit, the cycle of life, flora and fauna and the living planet. There are also sub-headings under these which makes this a book into which you can dip into time or time again.
The authors demonstrate how symbols have been used since the beginning of time to the present day to convey belief, emotions and ideas.. From largely illiterate populations of the past to the highly educated society of today we depend on symbols to give us a quick visual direction, support or identification. Also, as we now live in a far more visually culture, symbols are almost totems of knowledge and power as they convey so much in a simple form.
There was a terrific section of angels and their hierarchy and also the dragon and the rainbow. I learned so much from this book and it’s one that I would dearly love to have on my iconography and symbols bookshelf as I know that it would be an invaluable reference book.

[Adam · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book is well laid out with an interesting selection of colour illustrations on each page. The writing is clear and accessible, though doesn't really go beyond already fairly well know trivia. The areas of this book that concerned my areas of interest didn't have anything besides the obvious, and the few sections I read about areas I was unfamiliar with didn't include and detailed analysis or deconstructions of symbols. I wouldn't recommend this to children because of the dryness of its tone, but a general audience might find it distracting for a short time. I will keep this I hand as a starting off point and visual reference guide due to the quality of the illustrations.

[C · Rating 4 out of 5]

A colorfully written, beautifully laid out read. This is definitely a beginner's book on the topic.