Signs and Symbols Around the World

by Elizabeth S. Helfman

Signs and Symbols Around the World is a fascinating history of communication, covering picture writing, alphabets, numerals, as well as signs and symbols in religion, magic, science, industry, and much more. The author's style is clear, concise and compelling. Concepts are well explained and profusely illustrated.

196 pages, Paperback

First published September 8, 2000

Reviews

[Amy Webster-Bo · Rating 5 out of 5]

easy read, symbols and signs are universal, some have been changed over the years, and others have stayed the way they were, i wanted to learn chinese but it seems very complicated even the ones i have been reading about.

[Nicholas Whyte · Rating 3 out of 5]

https://fromtheheartofeurope.eu/signs-and-symbols-around-the-world-by-elizabeth-s-helfman/

Elizabeth S. Helfman (1911-2001) was my second cousin once removed. This is her top book on LibraryThing, due no doubt to a reprint in 2000, and was easy enough to get hold of. It’s a breezy account of how signs and symbols have been used from ancient times to the present day (ie 1973), going through hieroglyphs, pictograms, trademarks, alchemy, and her own particular enthusiasm, Blissymbolics, a writing system designed for people with communication difficulties (simple enough, but alas too advanced for my own daughters). The book is endorsed by Margaret Mead, yes, the real one.