The Element Encyclopedia of Secret Signs and Symbols

by Adele Nozedar

Book Overview

Unlock the lost and hidden meanings of the world's ancient and modern signs and symbols with the latest in the hugely popular series of 'Element Encyclopedias'. This is the biggest A-Z reference book... This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 000729896X
• ISBN13: 9780007298969
• Release Date: January 2009
• Publisher: HarperCollins Publishers
• Length: 576 Pages
• Weight: 1.45 lbs.

Customer Reviews

Exhaustive collection

I purchased this book last month and I can not put it away. Everything I’ve ever wanted to know seems to be in this book. I’m tempted to buy another copy for the coffee table.

Marsbar

I live in a small town and when my copy did not arrive, Dave sent me another copy as soon as he could. Thank you! I really appreciate how quickly you resolved the shipping error.

Excellent reference material!

Wow! Big Book! 684 pages, first published in London in 2008, this book covers all the stuff I heard about and tons more! Just a few of the many signs/symbols/terminology: The triangle (meaning, and other shapes), (major) alchemical symbols, aphrodisiacs (background, listings, why), Beckoning Cat (Japan/China--seen in many Asian restaurants), Caduceus (2 serpents entwining a staff in a figure 8), Choku Rei (spiral symbol used by Reiki healers), colors (how they resonate, symbolic meanings of each of 14 colors), Dhama Wheel (used in Hinduism and Buddhism), Dreamcatcher (Native American), Dreidel (Jewish), Druze Star (offshoot of Islam), FU ideogram (Chinese symbol of good luck), Globus Cruciger (early symbol of Christianity-globe with crucifix mounted on it), (16) Signs and Symbols of Freemasonry, Hand of Fatima (Muslim and Jewish), Holy Grail (chalice that held the blood of Christ/used at Last Supper-Christianity), Horns of Odin (Vikings), I Ching (ancient Chinese system of philosophical divination--may be as old as 8th century BC), Jerusalem Cross (used by the Crusaders), Kabbalah Seal of Solomon, Seal of the Knights Templar, Sefer Yetzirah Symbol (Kabbala), Sufi Winged Heart, The Tarot (and the cards and their meanings), and many, many more. With each sign/symbol/terminology is a decent and sometimes fairly detailed explanation. And this is just part 1! This is a pretty nifty book. This is NOT some far out book for witches, if that's what you are thinking; it is an excellent reference book and very interesting reading. As you can see from my small list above, the book includes many different cultures/beliefs/organized religions. So, if you want more info on ancient history through New Age, this book covers a wide range. You will find some symbols you saw before but never knew what they meant. You will find some you did know about but here is a little more info about where they came from or what they mean. Then you will find some info totally new to you. There are additional sections which delve into: time/space/seasons/directions, animals, plants, birds, minerals/metals/gems, sacred geometry, sacred sounds, numbers and their meanings, the body as a sacred map, rites/rituals/customs/observances, and Dieties of various cultures, even various alphabets. Don't try to practice your posture with this BIG book on your head. You'll break your neck! For reading only!

retraction of earlier review on the seller texasabilene

I ordered this book and had about given up hope on getting it, but it finally did come and was of the quality promised. I like the book but wish it had more depth, however, that is not the seller's fault. I'm writing this review to let everyone know that texasabilene did send the book and everything is fine. I cannot figure out how to get the older negative review of the seller out of the system so hopefully this replaces it and the seller will again be in good standing with everyone.