A Dictionary of Symbols

by Juan Eduardo Cirlot and Juan Eduardo Cirlot

Book Overview

Symbolism is as old as the human ability to link ideas and beliefs with objects and occurrences in the world. Integral to ancient Eastern philosophy and Western medieval traditions, the study of... This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0486425231
• ISBN13: 9780486425238
• Release Date: September 2002
• Publisher: Dover Publications
• Length: 528 Pages
• Weight: 1.40 lbs.
• Dimensions: 1.0" x 6.5" x 8.7"

Customer Reviews

Interesting and helpful

I am an art therapist and what I really like is that this book gives explanations of the various symbols and what they mean in different cultures. The author also gives alchemical explanations for symbols. I find that this really gives me a broad understanding of a symbol. It is sometimes extremely revealing.

An excellent resource for writers, thinkers, students...

I purchased this book in hardcover a few years ago, and have found myself going back to it again and again. In writing novels, I know no better reference book than this for providing inspiration and insight. The symbols listed often have meanings far beyond what most would think. The sections on colors and numbers alone are worth the cover price. My only complaint is that the book is big *enough*, but make no mistake: the material in the book is dense, informative, and insightful. If you are a writer, a thinker, a student of history, or have any interest in the cultural artifacts of human societies, you can't go wrong with this volume. I cannot recommend it enough.

A Dictionary of Synbols

The book as good content, but needs illustrations/photo's to make it come to life to the reader.