Signifying Animals: Human Meaning in the Natural World

by Roy Willis (Editor)

A fresh assessment of the workings of animal symbolism in diverse cultures. Reconsiders the concept of totemism and exposes common fallacies in symbolic interpretation.

Genres: Philosophy

258 pages, Hardcover

First published November 30, 1990

Reviews

[a duck · Rating 3 out of 5]

Roy Willis (anthropologist, University of Edinburgh) presents a comprehensive study of the symbolic meanings associated with animals. The book ranges widely in cultures and time frame, making for a useful survey, although this also limits the depth allowed for each example.