The Secret Language of Symbols: A Visual Key to Symbols and Their Meanings [Paperback]

David Fontana (Author)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 0811838218 | ISBN-13: 978-0811838214 | Publication Date: February 1, 2003

In this highly readable and vividly illustrated book, best-selling author David Fontana traces the origins of hundreds of symbols and symbol systems that have impacted human culture, art, history, literature, and even dreams. From chakras and the I Ching to the tarot and the zodiac, from mythical beasts to magical numbers, these are the symbols that shape consciousness. Visual artists, students, and soul searchers of every stripe will want to deepen their knowledge of these intriguing icons. Now in a compact and handy size, it s more practical than ever for both reference and inspiration.

Editorial Reviews

From Library Journal

Since Jung's Man and His Symbols , several visual glossaries, from Eva Hangen's Symbols , Our Universal Language , to full-text studies by Joseph Campbell, have appeared. Drawing not only from nature, or objects, but sounds, odors, metaphors, gestures, myths, hybrid creatures, mazes, mystical gardens, mandalas, and celestial bodies Fontana (Univ. of Wales) offers the most comprehensive array yet. In this work, enhanced by over 300 color illustrations, he aims to stimulate interest and access to the symbolic world. The work is more than a simple reference tool; opening chapters reflect a Jungian slant that archetypes from the collective unconscious project the power of symbols found in art, meditation, and dreaming. Final chapters describe occult symbolic systems such as Kabbalah, alchemy, tarot, tantra, astrology, and I Ching. Highly recommended.
- Dara Eklund, Los Angeles P.L.
Copyright 1994 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

About the Author

David Fontana, Ph.D. , is a professor of psychology and the author of the best-selling Learn to Meditate (0-8118-2250-8), Teach Yourself to Dream (0-8118-1628-1), and numerous other books. He lives in Wales.

Product Details

• Paperback: 256 pages
• Publisher: Chronicle Books (February 1, 2003)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0811838218
• ISBN-13: 978-0811838214
• Product Dimensions: 6.9 x 4.3 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 11.2 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 3.9 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (14 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #806,633 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

59 of 59 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A terrific visual guide to symbols and their meanings..., October 21, 2000

By 

Laura Haggarty (Northern KY USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Secret Language of Symbols: A Visual Key to Symbols Their Meanings (Paperback)

This is a splendid book. It's chock-full of wonderful illustrations covering topics as diverse as can be, from astrology to Heraldic animals, the four elements to the Kabbalah. In the introduction we are given an overview of various schools of thought about symbols, including Jungian as well as various culteral perspectives.

The chapters of the book include: The Power of Symbols; The World of Symbols; The Uses of Symbols; and Symbol Systems. Covered topics include: Gods; Myths; Ritual, Magic and Prayer; Dream Symbols; Mandalas and Yantras; Mazes and Labyrinths; Numbers and Sounds; Colors; Animals; Dragons and Serpents; Hybred Creatures; Trees; Flowers and Plants; the Elements; the Sun, Moon, and Stars; Good and Evil; Gods and Goddesses; Witches, Priests and Wizards; the Tarot; Astrology; Chakras; the I Ching; and more.

There is also an excellent index, glossary, and suggested further reading list. All in all a wealth of information, both written and visual well worth buying.

31 of 31 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great introduction, September 6, 2003

By 

merrymousies (Waterford, VA USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Secret Language of Symbols: A Visual Key to Symbols Their Meanings (Paperback)

I've been really interested in symbols and this book gives a good overview of a wide variety - it cuts across all sorts of religions and categorizes symbols into chapters that make comparison easy. I particularly like the chapter on the Natural World where elements such as trees are discussed across many cultures. Really neat. I have the 1993 edition and the pictures are terrific. I say that this is an intro to symbols because I'm sure a whole chapter or book could be written on something like sun, moon and stars which in this book is given two pages. Great overview though. I really like how comprehensive it is in terms of breadth.

40 of 45 people found the following review helpful:

1.0 out of 5 stars Pages in 2003 edition are way too small, April 12, 2003

By 

Katie W "Katie W" (Seattle, WA USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Secret Language of Symbols: A Visual Key to Symbols and Their Meanings (Paperback)

From what I can see, the content is the same as the 1994 edition, however, the pages are so small that many illustrations are printed over onto 2 pages. The colors are better in the 1994 edition also.

Buy the 1994 edition, it is beautifully illustrated, with descriptions are complete, without boring you too much information.