1000 Symbols: What Shapes Mean in Art and Myth
"1000 Symbols" is an extensive compendium of symbols from around the world. What makes this book unique from other books on symbols is the worldwide approach. A specific symbol can mean widely differing things in different cultural contexts and the authors do a wonderful job of examining each interpretation. Each symbol has a number that is cross-referenced to the index at the beginning of the book making them easy to find. In addition, the symbols are categorized into eight general categories for easy browsing. The categories are Heaven and Earth, Characters and People, Body and Actions, Living Creatures, Mythical Beasts, Flowers, Plants and Trees, Objects and Artefacts, and Abstracts. Each of these categories is also subdivided.
Each of the symbols discussed has a line drawing of the symbol along with a detailed description of what the symbol meant to different groups, how it is used today, various ways it was drawn, etc. If you want to know about the various symbols that surround us this is an excellent place to find out. A highly recommended reference for anyone interested in symbols.
Author: Rowena and Rupert Shepherd
Publisher: Thames & Hudson
Copyright: 2002
ISBN: 0500283516
Pages: 352