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1000 Symbols: What Shapes Mean in Art and Myth
1000 Symbols offers a comprehensive directory of symbols in clear, detailed artworks, each accompanied by a definition of the symbol's history and its cross-cultural meanings.
Beginning with an alphabetical, cross-referenced index, the book is then organized into groupings of related symbols:
Geometrical Shapes-circle, square, triangle, pentagram, crescent, and spiral are just a few of the entries.
The Universe and the Elements includes all the symbols for the world around us-earth, air, fire, and water, as well as times of day or month, and the planets.
Characters and People details the symbolism attached to specific characters or to people and their general attributes.
Living Creatures denotes the symbolism of animals, birds, fish, and insects.
Flowers, Plants, and Trees highlights the symbolism of growing things, from the oak to the lotus.
Mythical Beasts contains beasts from the myths and legends of all cultures, including hybrids such as the centaur.
Objects and Artifacts includes made or manufactured objects of symbolism, from knot to labyrinth.
Numbers and Colors outlines their symbolic attributes in different cultures and contexts.
Whether you are baffled by the relevance of the winged staff held by Mercury in a classical painting or wonder about the number of branches on the Hebrew menorah, this comprehensive directory will give you the information you are looking for, and place the explanation in its historical and cultural context.
Beginning with an alphabetical, cross-referenced index, the book is then organized into groupings of related symbols:
Geometrical Shapes-circle, square, triangle, pentagram, crescent, and spiral are just a few of the entries.
The Universe and the Elements includes all the symbols for the world around us-earth, air, fire, and water, as well as times of day or month, and the planets.
Characters and People details the symbolism attached to specific characters or to people and their general attributes.
Living Creatures denotes the symbolism of animals, birds, fish, and insects.
Flowers, Plants, and Trees highlights the symbolism of growing things, from the oak to the lotus.
Mythical Beasts contains beasts from the myths and legends of all cultures, including hybrids such as the centaur.
Objects and Artifacts includes made or manufactured objects of symbolism, from knot to labyrinth.
Numbers and Colors outlines their symbolic attributes in different cultures and contexts.
Whether you are baffled by the relevance of the winged staff held by Mercury in a classical painting or wonder about the number of branches on the Hebrew menorah, this comprehensive directory will give you the information you are looking for, and place the explanation in its historical and cultural context.
352 pages, Paperback
First published August 1, 2002
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Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews
July 29, 2020
These succinct- I would rather describe it as breviloquent- associations manage to offer a dizzying level of detail for such a brief note. The sources are as vast as the world. Indigenous, Ancient, and Modern interpretations of the symbols are given, with a dip into mysticism/religion, Alchemy, Masonry, and culture
The accompanying illustrations are powerful in their stylized boldness.
I dare say, anyone can learn something new browsing through these, and be entertained.
The ease of use is a fine point. The Table of Contents lists the eight chapter, and category headings. Next, is an index of topics listed not by page number, rather by entry number for much faster reference. This enables faster cross-referencing.
The accompanying illustrations are powerful in their stylized boldness.
I dare say, anyone can learn something new browsing through these, and be entertained.
The ease of use is a fine point. The Table of Contents lists the eight chapter, and category headings. Next, is an index of topics listed not by page number, rather by entry number for much faster reference. This enables faster cross-referencing.
November 19, 2022
This book has proved not only a fascinating learning adventure but fantastically helpful in crafting story ideas and details. It's easy to read and strategically formatted for spot research. An excellent resource for anyone interested in symbols!
June 15, 2018
More mythology than symbology: christian, oriental, nordic, African, Native American. All the illustrations are modern graphics. The explanations are short and superficial.
April 15, 2008
1000 Symbols came highly recommended to me from one of my professors in one of my classes on symbols. It was billed as one of the most extensive collection of symbols ever published. Given my interest in archetypes, mythology, and dream symbolism, I was intrigued so I put this book on my wish list.
1000 Symbols takes a slightly different take on symbols than other reference books on my shelf. All of the symbols included are actually illustrated, which is extremely useful when looking up a particular image. Moreover, each of the entries is presented detailing the historical usage of each item. For easy reference, the book is divided into categories and subcategories such as Characters and then various parts of the world or Living Creatures and then various types of animals. It really is a must have resource for anyone wanting more information about symbols.
1000 Symbols takes a slightly different take on symbols than other reference books on my shelf. All of the symbols included are actually illustrated, which is extremely useful when looking up a particular image. Moreover, each of the entries is presented detailing the historical usage of each item. For easy reference, the book is divided into categories and subcategories such as Characters and then various parts of the world or Living Creatures and then various types of animals. It really is a must have resource for anyone wanting more information about symbols.
July 28, 2016
Read then drew some of the symbols. Very nice
January 31, 2021
Good source for logos or tatoos if you want to understand meaning behind symbols
Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews