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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)

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An Illustrated Encyclopaedia of Traditional Symbols by J. C. Cooper
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A Dictionary of Symbols by J. E. Cirlot
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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.

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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

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Front Cover | Table of Contents | First Pages | Back Cover | Surprise Me!

Inside This Book (learn more)

Key Phrases - Statistically Improbable Phrases (SIPs): (learn more)
world axis, cosmic egg, world egg, golden fleece, cosmic tree, upper waters, tracing board, emerald table, world axes, twin heroes, golden number, chthonian fire, release from the cosmos, celestial semen, major arcanum, eternal homecoming, primordial hermaphrodite, fecundating rain, chthonian world, subtle centres, modem psychoanalysis, twofold symbolism, nocturnal aspect, symbolic ambivalence, same ideogram

Key Phrases - Capitalized Phrases (CAPs): (learn more)
Old Testament, Ancient Egyptian, First Cause, Children of Israel, Tree of Life, Holy Spirit, Middle Ages, Mircea Eliade, Pole Star, Song of Solomon, Chuang Tzu, Book of Revelation, Our Lady, Paul Diel, Ancient China, Angelus Silesius, Far East, Great Bear, Milky Way, Philosopher's Stone, The Secret of the Golden Flower, Ancient Greece, Garden of Eden, Heavenly Jerusalem, New Year

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Front Cover | Table of Contents | First Pages | Back Cover | Surprise Me!

Citations (learn more)

This book cites 43 books:

The Conference of Birds (Penguin Classics) by Farid al-Din Attar on 4 pages
City of God (Concerning the City of God Against the Pagans) (Pelican Classics) by Augustine of Hippo on page 43, and page 980
Fathers of the Church : Saint Augustine : Christian Instruction, Admonition and Grace, the Christian Combat, Faith, Hope and Charity by St. Augustine on page 119, and page 991
The Psychoanalysis of Fire by Gaston Bachelard in Back Matter
Peaks and Lamas by Marco Pallis in Back Matter

See all 43 books this book cites

64 books cite this book:

The Cydonia Codex: Reflections from Mars by George J. Haas on 8 pages
The Wise Earth Speaks to Your Spirit: 52 Ways to Find Your Soul Voice through Journal Writing by Janell Moon on 5 pages
on page 78, page 102, and page 108
SQ: Connecting With Our Spiritual Intelligence by Danah Zohar on page 123, Back Matter (1), and Back Matter (2)
SQ: Connecting With Our Spiritual Intelligence by Danah Zohar on page 123, Back Matter (1), and Back Matter (2)

See all 64 books citing this book

What Do Customers Ultimately Buy After Viewing This Item?

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

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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)

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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.

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43 of 44 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars excellent dictionary in scope and depth, October 20, 1999

By	joanne wieland-burston (jwburston@munich.nets... (munich / zurich) - See all my reviews

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.

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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.

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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

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