The Signs and Symbols Bible: The Definitive Guide to Mysterious Markings

by Madonna Gauding

Symbols speak in layers of meaning, and provide a shorthand for different ideas; they challenge us to go beyond the surface and discover rich layers of significance. This handsomely illustrated volume examines the many interpretations behind symbols from diverse cultures and eras, including natural objects, such as animals and stones; man-made things (temples, houses, tools, ritual items), and abstract forms, including alphabets, amulets, numbers, and colors. A vast directory explores symbolism from ancient civilizations, Western and Middle Eastern religions, power and heraldry, magical and esoteric traditions, and much more.

 

Genres: Nonfiction, Spirituality, Witchcraft

400 pages, Paperback

First published October 6, 2009

About the author

Madonna Gauding is a mandala artist, author, illustrator and designer. She has written widely on meditation, Buddhism and healing; her previous work includes the best-selling World Mandalas.

Reviews

[Iman Adipurnama]

Mankind create symbols in order to communicate ideas. Also, they create symbols to help them understand higher truths that are veiled or we could say symbols help mankind connecting themselves to divine beings.

Symbols always stand for something more than a mere image. It chalenges us to go beyond the surface, to discover and expand layers of significance. Whereas a sign points the way. Something can function as both symbol and sign. For examples, a ring is a sign of married person and may symbolized many ideas, such as love, romance, devotion, etc.

We are living in the world that wrapped by signs and symbols. From all forms of art, literature to your daily life are filled with symbollic meaning. Many advertisement use symbolism in subtle ways so that it can grasp your unconscious mind.

This book gives you an opening to understand sign and symbol in many civilizations, cultures and traditions from Greek, Egypt, Christian, Jewish and Islam. Although it is not in a complete way to describe all sign and symbol, still this book is a good one.

So, if you are interested in pursuing Robert Langdon career as symbologist, or just want to explore more about it, this book is a perfect choice for your first step. Happy reading :)

[Heather]

I suspect that a lot of the symbols in this book are underdescribed. And I wish that the shapes of the symbols were discussed in more depth, rather than just their meanings. However, the book is pretty pleasing in its diversity...it covers the obvious plant, animal, and heavenly bodies, but also discusses symbols like Taoist trigrams, buddhist mudras, norse runes, etc. I'm keeping notes of symbols with pleasing shapes and interesting meanings for my artwork

[Biondy]

Buku yang udah lama diincar, tapi baru beli sekitar bulan lalu. Harganya itu loh. Gak nahan :))

Isinya bagus. Cukup berwarna. Simbol dari berbagai suku, adat, dan kepercayaan dibahas di sini. Sayang bahasnya kurang dalam. Hanya sekedar overview gitu, tapi luayanlah. Banyak ide baru muncul di kepala dan banyak hal-hal baru yang saya pelajari setelah membaca buku ini :D

Yah, secara keseluruhan, kubilang bukunya worth its price lah.

[Sharice]

A quick and easy read which gives insight into the world of symbols. I found the introduction a bit silly - I don't think the book has opened me to "an intense experience of meaning" as I have travelled throughout my day, as it said it would... I didn't read this for spiritual enlightenment but to understand why certain symbols have been used in religion, advertising, the media etc.

[Amber Mackenzie]

Helpful! Not an in-depth encyclopedia, but a quick description of what it is and what it has meant. A great place to refer to for some info to start a more profound bit of research.
A constant reference manual for me. Not a read through kind of book.

[Sonya Watkins]

there were so many interesting symbols and cultural differences in them. neat little book.

[Sophie Pretorius]

A bit too airy fairy for my liking, and slightly biased towards mysticism. Not objective enough but a good introduction :)

[Lori Schiele]

A well-written and obviously well researched book covering symbols, signs and glyphs from numerous cultures and religions. Lots of pictures.

[Aarón]

Bastante poca información es más un diccionario de simbolos, falta historia.