Join Amazon Prime and ship Two-Day for free and Overnight for $3.99. Already a member? Sign in.

 

or
Sign in to turn on 1-Click ordering.
 
 
More Buying Choices
69 used & new from $9.20

Have one to sell? Sell yours here
 
   
The Penguin Dictionary of Symbols (Dictionary, Penguin)
 
 
Tell the Publisher!
I’d like to read this book on Kindle

Don’t have a Kindle? Get yours here.
 
  

The Penguin Dictionary of Symbols (Dictionary, Penguin) (Paperback)

by Jean Chevalier (Author), Alain Gheerbrant (Author), John Buchanan-Brown (Translator)
Key Phrases: world axis, cosmic egg, world egg, Old Testament, Ancient Egyptian, First Cause (more...)
3.9 out of 5 stars See all reviews (16 customer reviews)

List Price: $23.00
Price: $15.64 & eligible for FREE Super Saver Shipping on orders over $25. Details
You Save: $7.36 (32%)
o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o
In Stock.
Ships from and sold by Amazon.com. Gift-wrap available.

Want it delivered Monday, July 20? Choose One-Day Shipping at checkout. Details
39 new from $13.60 30 used from $9.20
Also Available in: List Price: Our Price: Other Offers:
Hardcover 6 used & new from $75.00

Frequently Bought Together

The Penguin Dictionary of Symbols (Dictionary, Penguin) + An Illustrated Encyclopaedia of Traditional Symbols + A Dictionary of Symbols
Price For All Three: $44.14

Show availability and shipping details

  • This item: The Penguin Dictionary of Symbols (Dictionary, Penguin) by Jean Chevalier

    In Stock.
    Ships from and sold by Amazon.com.
    Eligible for FREE Super Saver Shipping on orders over $25. Details

  • An Illustrated Encyclopaedia of Traditional Symbols by J. C. Cooper

    In Stock.
    Ships from and sold by Amazon.com.
    Eligible for FREE Super Saver Shipping on orders over $25. Details

  • A Dictionary of Symbols by J. E. Cirlot

    In Stock.
    Ships from and sold by Amazon.com.
    Eligible for FREE Super Saver Shipping on orders over $25. Details


Customers Who Bought This Item Also Bought

A Dictionary of Symbols

A Dictionary of Symbols

by J. E. Cirlot
4.0 out of 5 stars (4)  $14.93
Man and His Symbols

Man and His Symbols

by Carl Gustav Jung
4.5 out of 5 stars (48)  $7.99
Dictionary of Symbolism: Cultural Icons and the Meanings Behind Them

Dictionary of Symbolism: Cultural Icons and the Meanings Behind Them

by Hans Biedermann
3.9 out of 5 stars (11)  $17.82
The Herder Dictionary of Symbols: Symbols from Art, Archaeology, Mythology, Literature, and Religion

The Herder Dictionary of Symbols: Symbols from Art, Archaeology, Mythology, Literature, and Religion

by Boris Matthews
4.8 out of 5 stars (6)  $17.95
The Complete Dictionary of Symbols

The Complete Dictionary of Symbols

by Jack Tresidder
5.0 out of 5 stars (3)  $15.61
Explore similar items

Editorial Reviews

Product Description
A bestseller in France, where it was originally published, this supremely erudite book draws together folkloric, literary, and artistic sources and focuses on the symbolic dimension of every color, number, sound, gesture, expression, or character trait that has benefited from symbolic interpretation.

Language Notes
Text: English
Original Language: French --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

  • Paperback: 1184 pages
  • Publisher: Penguin (Non-Classics) (March 1, 1997)
  • Language: English
  • ISBN-10: 0140512543
  • ISBN-13: 978-0140512540
  • Product Dimensions: 7.6 x 5.1 x 2.1 inches
  • Shipping Weight: 1.8 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
  • Average Customer Review: 3.9 out of 5 stars See all reviews (16 customer reviews)
  • Amazon.com Sales Rank: #58,064 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

    Popular in these categories: (What's this?)

    #34 in  Books > Reference > Encyclopedias > Mythology & Folklore
    #49 in  Books > Reference > Dictionaries & Thesauruses > Science

Inside This Book (learn more)


What Do Customers Ultimately Buy After Viewing This Item?

The Penguin Dictionary of Symbols (Dictionary, Penguin)
75% buy the item featured on this page:
The Penguin Dictionary of Symbols (Dictionary, Penguin) 3.9 out of 5 stars (16)
$15.64
An Illustrated Encyclopaedia of Traditional Symbols
8% buy
An Illustrated Encyclopaedia of Traditional Symbols 4.4 out of 5 stars (9)
$13.57
The Complete Dictionary of Symbols
6% buy
The Complete Dictionary of Symbols 5.0 out of 5 stars (3)
$15.61
Dictionary of Symbolism: Cultural Icons and the Meanings Behind Them
5% buy
Dictionary of Symbolism: Cultural Icons and the Meanings Behind Them 3.9 out of 5 stars (11)
$17.82

Tags Customers Associate with This Product

 (What's this?)
Click on a tag to find related items, discussions, and people.
Check the boxes next to the tags you consider relevant or enter your own tags in the field below.
(1)

Your tags: Add your first tag
 
Help others find this product — tag it for Amazon search
No one has tagged this product for Amazon search yet. Why not be the first to suggest a search for which it should appear?

Sell a Digital Version of This Book in the Kindle Store

If you are a publisher or author and hold the digital rights to a book, you can sell a digital version of it in our Kindle Store. Learn more

 

Customer Reviews

16 Reviews
5 star:
 (8)
4 star:
 (3)
3 star:
 (2)
2 star:
 (2)
1 star:
 (1)
 
 
 
 
 
Average Customer Review
3.9 out of 5 stars (16 customer reviews)
 
 
 
 
Share your thoughts with other customers:
Most Helpful Customer Reviews

 
56 of 58 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars Dictionary for Thinkers, October 23, 2000
By Joel M Sax (Trabuco Canyon, CA USA) - See all my reviews
This is a thinker's dictionary, not a guide to road signs and icons. The editors took the trouble to recruit symbol experts from many different professions, ranging from the paranormal to the skeptical academic. The result is a dictionary with entries that have more depth than the usual "quick hits" that other symbolism dictionaries give you. Chevalier is not afraid to give contradictory or contrasting meanings of icons. (He is not a universalist, but a relativist.) He is usually careful to identify the culture in which a particular meaning is given. I keep this in easy reach on my bookshelf, reminding myself, however, that no dictionary on this subject can possibly cover all the meanings a symbol may have. It is worth having around.
Comment Comment | Permalink | Was this review helpful to you? Yes No (Report this)



 
43 of 44 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars excellent dictionary in scope and depth, October 20, 1999
i have known this dictionary in the french original for about 20 years now and recommend it again and again to students. i have always hoped that it could become available for non french readers. finally! as a jungian analyst, i find the dictionary extremely helpful: it does an extraordinary job of displaying the breadth of symbolic meanings involved in so many symbols that are still very much alive in people today. the refence to various cultures is especially important in our multi-cultural world.. i am very thankful for this translation into english and hope the german translation will follow soon.
Comment Comment | Permalink | Was this review helpful to you? Yes No (Report this)



 
34 of 39 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars Best esoteric symbol interpretation I have seen, January 25, 2001
By Yvonne Turner "Vonnie" (Pacific Northwest USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   
I have about a dozen symbol books... most of the classics. This one is the best for interpreting those strange symbols in your dreams, daydreams, etc. It is not the shallow stupid interpretations "you are going on a journey..." stuff, but true archetypical and esoteric interpretations.
Comment Comment | Permalink | Was this review helpful to you? Yes No (Report this)


Share your thoughts with other customers: Create your own review
 
 
Ad
 
Most Recent Customer Reviews

4.0 out of 5 stars A Wonderfully Solid Reference Book
This book is well written, comprehensive and fun to read. I own about a half-dozen books on symbols and symbolism and this one is hands down the best I currently own. Read more
Published 1 month ago by Kevin Owsley

5.0 out of 5 stars Newer dictionaries with pictures are great, but this is the one I always reutrn to.
I purchased my first copy 10 years ago and have been working with my dream symbols for nearly 20 years. Read more
Published 4 months ago by Quadradox

3.0 out of 5 stars no visuals
I was hoping there would be visual matierals to supliment the content but there isn't. I would recommend finding a different symbols dictionary if you're looking for that kind of... Read more
Published 10 months ago by J. Nance

5.0 out of 5 stars Best referenced
I own at least a dozen of such dictionaries. This one is the best, not only because it coveres the topics in details but also gives detailed references to the ancient sources... Read more
Published 13 months ago by Falcon7

4.0 out of 5 stars Comprehensive...
A Comprehensive listing of symbols, would be a good source of reference. But no illustrations at all, and illustrations would have made it more enjoyable to read/ browse the book... Read more
Published on June 9, 2007 by C D

3.0 out of 5 stars Disappointed with Amazon
While this is certainly an interesting reference tool, the book Amazon keeps in stock as 'The Penguin Dictionary of Symbols' is not the one pictured. Read more
Published on June 19, 2006 by C. M. Harrison

5.0 out of 5 stars An essential reference work
Hands down, the best resource of its kind available in print.
Published on February 3, 2006 by Steve Cartwright

5.0 out of 5 stars A book full of surprise
My teacher recommanded this dictionary to me (she got a copy of original French version). After I got this book I had a quick check of it. Read more
Published on December 29, 2004 by Webb

5.0 out of 5 stars The Cadillac of Symbol Books
I have studied symbols and observed them in my life for over 30 years, and at latest count own over 20 books on symbols. Read more
Published on December 3, 2004 by Monte J. Zerger

2.0 out of 5 stars Bad publisher
I saw this book in the Spanish translation, a real encyclopedia full of graphics, alkaline paper, and hardback. Amazon sells this one .... Read more
Published on September 27, 2002

Only search this product's reviews



Customer Discussions

 Beta (What's this?)
New! See all customer communities, and bookmark your communities to keep track of them.
This product's forum (0 discussions)
  Discussion Replies Latest Post
  No discussions yet

Ask questions, Share opinions, Gain insight
Start a new discussion
Topic:
First post:
Prompts for sign-in
  [Cancel]


   


Product Information from the Amapedia Community

Beta (What's this?)

Listmania!



Look for Similar Items by Category


Shop in a Box with Power-Tool Combo Packs

Shop for combo packs
Expand your tool collection with a versatile combo pack. Our extensive line of combo packs includes air tools and convenient cordless power tools.

Shop combo packs

 

Best Books of 2008

Best of 2008
Find our top 100 editors' picks as well as customers' favorites in dozens of categories in our Best Books of 2008 Store.
 

Dive into Summer Reading

Summer Reading for Kids and Teens
Don't even think about hitting the beach without browsing the books in our Summer Reading Store. Discover bestsellers, paperback picks, beach reads, and more terrific titles all summer long.
 

Best Books

Best of the Month
See our editors' picks and more of the best new books on our Best of the Month page.
 
Ad

 

Feedback

If you need help or have a question for Customer Service, contact us.
 Would you like to update product info or give feedback on images?
Is there any other feedback you would like to provide?

Your comments can help make our site better for everyone.


Where's My Stuff?

Shipping & Returns

Need Help?

Your Recent History

  (What's this?)
You have no recently viewed items or searches.

After viewing product detail pages or search results, look here to find an easy way to navigate back to pages you are interested in.

Look to the right column to find helpful suggestions for your shopping session.

Continue shopping: Top Sellers
Free
Free by Chris Anderson
Paranoia
Paranoia by Joseph Finder
My Soul to Lose
My Soul to Lose by Rachel Vincent
Glenn Beck's Common Sense

Conditions of Use | Privacy Notice © 1996-2009, Amazon.com, Inc. or its affiliates