A Dictionary of Symbols (Paperback)

by J. E. Cirlot (Author)

Editorial Reviews

Review
'Images and their significance defined in a remarkable reference work.'  Linda O'Callaghan, Sunday Telegraph --This text refers to the Kindle Edition edition.

Product Description
At every stage of civilization, people have relied on symbolic expression, and advances in science and technology have only increased our dependence on symbols. An essential part of the ancient arts of the Orient and Western medieval traditions, symbolism underwent a twentieth-century revival with the study of the unconscious. Indeed, symbolic language is considered a science, and this informative volume offers an indispensable tool in the study of symbology. Its alphabetical entries--drawn from a diverse range of sources, including all of the major world religions, astrology, alchemy, numerology, heraldry, and prehistoric art--clarify the essential and unvarying meanings of each symbol. Whether used as a reference or browsed for pleasure, this informative volume offers a valuable key to elucidating the symbolic worlds encountered in both the arts and the history of ideas. 32 b/w illustrations.


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Product Details

• Paperback: 512 pages
• Publisher: Dover Publications; 2 edition (September 16, 2002)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0486425231
• ISBN-13: 978-0486425238
• Product Dimensions: 8.4 x 5.4 x 1.1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.2 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #293,490 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

65 of 67 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A sacred way of looking at the outer world, January 24, 2004

By	OAKSHAMAN "oakshaman" (Algoma, WI United States) - See all my reviews (TOP 100 REVIEWER)

This review is from: A Dictionary of Symbols (Hardcover)

This is one of the most frequently used and most deeply pondered works of my permanent collection. It is, in my humble opinion, the best single volume on the subject of symbols and symbolism written in modern times.

Symbolism is a sacred way of looking at the outer world. It is a way of connecting the outer and inner worlds. A materialist sees, let's say an eagle, and simply sees a bird, while a symbolist sees an eagle and sees a message, a lesson, or a sermon. To the symbolist, the eagle also represents height, spirit, the sun, nobility, power, the lion of the air, etc. The symbolist doesn't totally ignore the materialist and mundane aspect of the eagle, he just realises that there is immeasurably MORE behind it.

The introduction of this book is an excellent essay of the symbolist mind-set. It covers symbolism in platonic thought, hermetism, renaissance thought, alchemy, heraldry, dream symbolism, as well as, the views of Goethe, Saunier, Bele, Guenon, Eliade, Scheider, and, of course, Jung.

The body of the book is in dictionary form with concise but comprehensive descriptions of topics from a historic and multi-cultural viewpoint. This is assisted by the many excellent line drawings, as well as, two sections of carefully chosen black and white photographs.

This is a book of correspondenses, of resonance, of the common rythym that connects things with a higher, sacred place. You learn that there are immeasurable depths to creation- and that you have merely been skipping across the surface of that creation like a stone across deep waters....

29 of 33 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars An excellent resource for writers, thinkers, students..., November 4, 2005

By	James Huffman "James" (IN, USA) - See all my reviews

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.

17 of 21 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars A Dictionary of Synbols, September 7, 2005

By	Donald Babisch Sr. - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

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