1000 Symbols: What Shapes Mean in Art and Myth (Paperback)

by Rowena Shepherd (Author), Rupert Shepherd (Author)

Editorial Reviews

From Library Journal
The authors, both British art historians, are joined by 12 other experts in this field to present an amazing array of multicultural interpretations of the world as condensed into symbolic images. They define a symbol as "something that a particular culture considers to mean something else." Each entry features a blue line drawing of the symbol in a generalized pictographic style. Although the quantity of images could have been overwhelming, the symbols are extremely well organized into numbered columns that correspond with the alphabetical front index, or "symbol finder." This index is invaluable because the text itself is composed of eight thematic chapters, among them "Heaven and Earth," "Characters and People," and "Objects and Artifacts." Pertinent cultural meanings for the symbols are refreshingly worldwide, covering Africa, Europe, the Middle East, the Far East, the Americas, and the Pacific. Many of the connotations are religious in nature, with referrences ranging from Aztec beliefs to Mesopotamian mythology to major contemporary religions. The editors encourage readers to "dip" into the book and then follow the threads of capitalized cross references. After doing so, one will never think the same way again about eyes, rabbits, roses, swastikas, the color white, and 995 other things. Even libraries with standard reference works like James Hall's Illustrated Dictionary of Symbols in Eastern and Western Art will want to add this one, not just because of its larger number of symbols but for its greater global coverage. Enthusiastically recommended for all public libraries.
Anne Marie Lane, American Heritage Ctr., Univ. of Wyoming, Laramie
Copyright 2002 Reed Business Information, Inc.

Review
An amazing array of multicultural interpretations of the world as condensed into symbolic images. Enthusiastically recommended. -- Library Journal, 1 September 2002

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Paperback: 352 pages
• Publisher: Thames & Hudson; illustrated edition edition (August 2002)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0500283516
• ISBN-13: 978-0500283516
• Product Dimensions: 9.2 x 7.8 x 1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 2.6 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars See all reviews (8 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #24,196 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

39 of 39 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Complete Guide to Symbols and Their Meaning, December 1, 2002

By	Harold McFarland (Florida) - See all my reviews (TOP 50 REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)

"1000 Symbols" is an extensive compendium of symbols from around the world. What makes this book unique from other books on symbols is the worldwide approach. A specific symbol can mean widely differing things in different cultural contexts and the authors do a wonderful job of examining each interpretation. Each symbol has a number that is cross-referenced to the index at the beginning of the book making them easy to find. In addition, the symbols are categorized into eight general categories for easy browsing. The categories are Heaven and Earth, Characters and People, Body and Actions, Living Creatures, Mythical Beasts, Flowers, Plants and Trees, Objects and Artefacts, and Abstracts. Each of these categories is also subdivided.

Each of the symbols discussed has a line drawing of the symbol along with a detailed description of what the symbol meant to different groups, how it is used today, various ways it was drawn, etc. If you want to know about the various symbols that surround us this is an excellent place to find out. A highly recommended reference for anyone interested in symbols.

15 of 15 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A fascinating, revealing reference, highly recommended, August 8, 2002

By	Midwest Book Review (Oregon, WI USA) - See all my reviews

1000 Symbols could as easily have been featured in an art books section but deserves mention for Metaphysical Studies for its extensive inclusion of spiritual symbols as well. The symbols are grouped into defined categories and groups of related symbols, from Body and Actions to Egyptian and European. A fascinating, revealing reference, highly recommended.

9 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

1.0 out of 5 stars 100 Symbols, February 21, 2006

By	Book Seller - See all my reviews

I am sorry to report of my disapointment with this title. While it does contain some interesting research, the symbols illustrated are all modernized graphics. The use of traditional and historic depictions of the symbols would have made this work much more readable.