Synopses & Reviews
The Essential Reference for Decoding Signs and Symbols The world around us is filled with signs and symbols. Those we have chosen to create, such as alphabets and flags, are universally recognizable, but others, of uncertain and ancient origin, mean different things to different peoples. Why, for example, is a red rose the flower of love, or a snake a symbol of evil in the West and a sign of wisdom in China? Find the answers to these questions and thousands of others in this comprehensive and stimulating visual guide of signs and symbols. Specially commissioned illustrations and photographs, including artifacts, famous paintings, and sculptures, provide a much-needed visual key to this mysterious language. The Ultimate Visual Catalog Showing thousands of signs and symbols from East and West, The Illustrated Book of Signs & Symbols not only gives the meanings of each, but also explores the symbols' origins in art, religion, literature, psychology, and folklore. For ease of reference the signs and symbols are grouped by category, from flowers and religious symbols to shapes and numbers, and a clear cross-referencing system directs the reader to related signs and symbols. Designed to appeal to readers of all ages, this book is a rich source of information and an indispensable reference book for interpreting and understanding signs and symbols in everyday life.
Description
Includes bibliographical references (p. 127) and index.