Fundamental Symbols: The Universal Language of Sacred Science [Hardcover]

Rene Guenon (Author), Martin Lings (Editor)

Book Description

Publication Date: January 1995

This long awaited volume is presented here in English for the first time; and since it constitutes one of Guenon's greatest works, its publication must be counted as one of the great literary events of this century. To glance at the chapter headings is to be impressed by the wealth and the variety of the contents - The Science of Letters; Symbolic Weapons; The Wild Boar & the Bear; The Language of the Birds; The Bridge and the Rainbow - are but a few of the 76 chapters. A striking aspect of the book is that it gives a new significance to so many of the objects, natural and man-made, with which we are inescapably surrounded in our daily life. Sensitive readers will be enriched by the immense perspective which is here offered them, both in time and space; and they will see that the book above all as an introduction to the spiritual life, an introduction which fascinates and compels. For some souls it will open doors which no other key could unlock.

Editorial Reviews

Review

'Rene' Guenon is without doubt one of the colossal figures of this century whose fame only increases with the passing of days. In this work, probably the most significant in a Western language, concerning symbolism, Guenon deals with the metaphysical and cosmological meaning of symbols drawn from traditions as far apart as the Greek and the Buddhist, the Druid and the Islamic. This extensive work has been a real labour of love for both the translator, who has spent a life-time in the study of Guenon's work, and the editor (Martin Lings), himself one of the foremost traditional authors and a master of English prose. This is a major addition to the English corpus of Guenon's work.' -- Seyyed Hossein Nasr

About the Author

Rene' Guenon (1886-1951) is without doubt one of the greatest writers of the twentieth century.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 339 pages
• Publisher: Quinta Essentia (January 1995)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1870196104
• ISBN-13: 978-1870196109
• Product Dimensions: 10.5 x 6.5 x 1.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.8 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #3,497,335 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

20 of 21 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Actually, what is a symbol?, May 2, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: Fundamental Symbols: The Universal Language of Sacred Science (Hardcover)

This book is a magnificent recompilation of studies of René Guénon about symbolism, accomplished with extreme dedication by his follower Michel Vâlsan, published originally in 1962, by Gallimard, in France. - But, actually, what is a symbol? - According to the tradition, the symbols make the intermediation between the spiritual world and the manifested world, where we are at present. It can be inferred then the transcendental role that the symbols represent for all the traditional forms without exception, from the Hinduism to Islam, including the Buddhism, Taoism, Judaism, Christianity and all the other authentic doctrines. It is important to mark that the work is not destined exclusively to studious or academics, but to all that have interest on the subject. Guénon demonstrates great domain and mastery, without being obscure or impenetrable. These are nothing less than 75 chapters distributed in 8 thematic parts, embracing a wide approach that contemplates several traditional aspects of practically all the religions and doctrines today existent. René Guénon in tells us of the symbols of " The Center and of the World ", in the ancient traditions (like Druids, for instance), dedicating to this theme 10 studies, among them, "The symbolic flowers", "The Guardians of the Holy Land", "The Zodiac and the cardinal points", and "The letter G and the swastika". Another general theme is the construtive symbolism, with 11 specific studies, among them "Lapsit exillis", "Black Stone and cubic stone", "The dome and the wheel", "The narrow door". About the axial symbolism, we have "The tree of the world", "The symbolism of the stairway", "The passage of the waters"; about the symbolism of the heart, we have "The heart and the brain", "The eye that sees everything" and much more. "Fundamental Symbols: the Universal Language of Sacred Science" is a very important and indispensable book to anyone who has true interest for this subject, of capital importance for all the religions and doctrines. Luiz Pontual IRGET

15 of 15 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A profound, subtle exploration of numerous mystical symbols., March 12, 1998

By A Customer

This review is from: Fundamental Symbols: The Universal Language of Sacred Science (Hardcover)

Superb book. Guenon is a truly profound thinker and well-versed in spiritual philosophy. His philosophical exposition is subtle and masterly, drawing on a wide variety of knowledge and a real understanding of the trials of the mystical life.

This book discusses, in the first few essays, the nature, source and purpose of mystical symbolism in general. The rest of the book tackles many of the symbols of the Western tradition. Each symbol has its own short essay, previously published in journals, and every essay gives much food for contemplation. Guenon doesn't expound a personal philosophy so much as draw together a scholarly summary of the world's esoteric teachings and fill it with his penetrating insight. His approach shows a deep understanding of Neo-Platonist tradition. A fascinating and valuable book - not the easiest of reads, but certainly not dry or merely intellectual, and the shortness of the essays makes them digestible.

2 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Os símbolos são a intermediação entre o céu e a terra., April 8, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: Fundamental Symbols: The Universal Language of Sacred Science (Quinta Essentia series) (Paperback)

Este livro é uma magnífica recompilação de estudos de René Guénon sobre simbolismo, realizada com extrema dedicação por seu seguidor Michel Vâlsan, publicada originalmente em 1962, pela Gallimard, na França. - Mas, afinal, o que é um símbolo ? - Segundo a tradição, os símbolos fazem a intermediação entre o mundo espiritual e o mundo manifestado, onde nos encontramos presentemente. Pode-se depreender, por isso, a importância verdadeiramente transcendental que os símbolos representam para todas as formas tradicionais sem exceção, desde o Hinduísmo até o Islã, passando pelo Budismo, Taoísmo, Judaísmo, Cristianismo e todas as demais doutrinas autênticas. É importante assinalar que a obra não se destina exclusivamente a estudiosos ou acadêmicos, mas a todos que tenham interesse sobre o assunto. Guénon demonstra grande domínio e maestria, sem ser obscuro ou impenetrável, muito pelo contrário. Ao todo, são nada menos que 75 estudos/capítulos distribuídos em 8 partes/temas, abrangendo um amplo leque que contempla vários aspectos tradicionais de praticamente todas as religiões e doutrinas hoje existentes. René Guénon nos fala dos símbolos de "Centro e do Mundo", nas tradições antigas ( como os Druídas, por exemplo ), dedicando a este tema 10 estudos, entre eles, "As flores simbólicas", "Os Guardiães da Terra Santa", "O Zodíaco e os pontos cardeais", e "A letra G e a swastika". Outro tema geral abordado é o "Simbolismo Construtivo", com 11 estudos específicos, entre eles "Lapsit exillis", "Pedra negra e pedra cúbica", "Pedra bruta e pedra talhada", "O domo e a roda", "A porta estreita" e outros. Sobre o simbolismo axial, temos "A árvore do mundo", "O simbolismo da escada, " A passagem das águas", "Laços e nós"; sobre o simbolismo do coração, temos "O coração e o cérebro", "O olho que tudo vê" e outros. O Instituto René Guénon de Estudos Tradicionais há vários anos vem lecionando sobre temas tradicionais, e seu curso básico "Olhar Oriental", assim como os demais, são inteiramente fundamentados sobre a obra magistral de René Guénon. "Símbolos Fundamentais da Ciência Sagrada" é um livro importantíssimo e indispensável a quem tem verdadeiro interesse pelo assunto, de importância capital para todas as religiões e doutrinas.

LUIZ PONUAL IRGET