Myths and Symbols in Indian Art and Civilization [Paperback]

Heinrich Robert Zimmer (Author), Joseph Campbell (Editor)

Book Description

Series: Bollingen Series | Publication Date: May 1, 1972

This book interprets for the Western mind the key motifs of India's legend, myth, and folklore, taken directly from the Sanskrit, and illustrated with seventy plates of Indian art. It is primarily an introduction to image-thinking and picture-reading in Indian art and thought, and it seeks to make the profound Hindu and Buddhist intuitions of the riddles of life and death recognizable not merely as Oriental but as universal elements.

Editorial Reviews

Review

Zimmer moves among [the myths of India] unhurriedly, with a respect that amounts to devotion. Gradually his comments bring to light the universal meanings beneath the archaic exterior. -- The New York Times

From the Back Cover

"In viewing India's art and civilization, the late Dr. Heinrich Zimmer, a man of penetrating intellect, the keenest esthetic sensibility and a predilection for psychoanalytic methods, found unlimited material for employing all three qualities. . . . The Indian material offered is of the best quality: the language in which it is presented is imaginative, figurative, poetic, vigorous."--W. Norman Brown

Product Details

• Paperback: 282 pages
• Publisher: Princeton University Press (May 1, 1972)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0691017786
• ISBN-13: 978-0691017785
• Product Dimensions: 8.4 x 5.4 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 12.8 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (7 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #299,580 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Discover books, learn about writers, read author blogs, and more.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

47 of 49 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars An interesting and through, but mostly scholarly read, May 3, 2001

By A Customer

This review is from: Myths and Symbols in Indian Art and Civilization (Paperback)

Zimmer is without a doubt a brilliant and sophisticated scholar of Indian Art and Mythology and this text reflects that fact very well. The sheer density of the text lends to the quality of it as a resource, but it not the number one choice of texts for someone who is just interested in mythology and folklore. Zimmer does more than merely tell you the myth or legend, he offers incredible symbolic and literary analysis of the myth in terms of broader and universal symbols. He brings together history, art, myth, religion, and philosophy in a incredible combination. However, the text is extraordinarily difficult to follow as a casual read.

In many places the text simply jumps around without any transition and in a seemingly nonsensical manner, making it difficult to read in a linear fashion. There does not seem to be any real organization to the text, with bits and pieces of the text's various elements thrown into the book at what feels like haphazard points. The photographs of the art which Zimmer discusses is useful, but are hidden at the back of the book in small, hard to see, grainy, black and white photos. I found to be a real pain constantly to flip to the back of the book to see what he was talking about and having to squint to make out the intricate art in the poor quality pictures. It would more useful if the photos were on the page where they were discussed, were in color, and were bigger. One final quibble is that the sheer volume of information makes taking notes as you go along crucial to obtain a real understanding of the text.

While I think these points are valid, do not let them scare you away. The text possess an immense wealth of information about Indian mythology and incredible analysis of its stories. An strong reference and research for students and scholars or for anyone who has a real interest in mythology, myth-art/religious art, or the psychological universality of myths. To any of these people I would highly recommend this book. If you are just starting on these or any other field that might be pertaining to the book, you might wish to start with some primary sources or books that are strictly myths and legends (i.e. the Mahabhrata or the Bhagavad Gita)or books on mythic/religious art before trying this book.

9 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The rich pageantry and depth of Indian mythology, November 21, 2008

By 

K.S.Ziegler (Seattle) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Myths and Symbols in Indian Art and Civilization (Paperback)

In the editor's forward, Joseph Campbell notes the sudden passing away of Heinrich Zimmer in 1943 and the vast potential of the work that he had begun but was far from completing. Campbell definitely was influenced by Zimmer and was intent on continuing his work both here in this edited book and also in his own pursuits. With better photographs, this particular work could make an impressive coffee table type book, but the powerful focus evident here is not so much the pictures but the text. Zimmer had a special ability to elucidate for Westerners the rich manifestations of Indian mythology even without illustrations.

The author explains how the conception of time that underlies Hinduism and Buddhism differs from the West's linear conception of time. Rather than a continuum that starts with the Act of Creation, time is conceived of as an endless series of cycles, in which everything repeats itself throughout eternity. The universe, as we know it, is a cosmic illusion (Maya) that continually renews itself (Shakti). The gods and goddesses - such as Vishnu, Shiva and their consorts Lakshmi and Parvati-Kali - are personifications of the processes of construction and destruction. They represent the wonders and energy of the life force in dualistic masculine-feminine forms, and they also point to the ultimate release from the suffering of being trapped in space and time, attainable through intense meditation or by practicing yoga.

Contrary to the Abrahamic traditions of Christianity, Judaism, and Islam there is no need to maintain that the stories of the gods and goddesses actually happened the way they are told, or whether the subject matter is the literal Word of God. It is clear that the gods and goddesses are masks, and that the stories are myths from which we can infer lessons on life experience. Some of these masks have a distinctly different conception from that of the West. In the Garden of Eden, for example, the serpent represents the accursed one who lures Eve into disobedience. But in Buddhism the serpent acts as the protector of the Buddha once he has attained enlightenment. In this sense, Nature is not considered separate and apart from the Creator and ultimately dust, but one with the Creator. Another major difference in mythic conception concerns the Goddess. In the Old Testament there is hardly any reference to her except as an idol whom it is a crime to worship. In Indian mythology the Goddess plays a prominent role, dating back to pre-Vedic days.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Art from Ancient India- What does it mean?, February 13, 2010

By 

T. Petray - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Myths and Symbols in Indian Art and Civilization (Paperback)

This book was based on the works of Heinrich Zimmer, and it was brought to completion after Zimmer's death by Joseph Campbell. I found this an excellent resource for discovering the hidden meanings in ancient symbols. This work was vital in finding some unknown meanings that I could not find anywhere else for interpreting an artifact.