Product Description

This is a compendium of symbols and their deeper meanings in individual human psychology and civilization. Tracing symbols to their cultural, religious or mythical origins, this encyclopedia explores a wealth of objects and concepts, as well as the hidden meanings that lie beneath their ordinary, outward appearance. Entries range from examples of metaphor and allegory to the symbolic meanings of numbers, letters, astrological and alchemical symbols, as well as an array of abstract concepts that find their tangible expression in the universal language of symbols.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #51923 in Books
• Published on: 2000-05-01
• Original language: English
• Dimensions: 1.72 pounds
• Binding: Paperback
• 368 pages

From Library Journal
Becker, an international authority on symbols and semiotics, has compiled a collection of symbols useful in giving meaning to everyday life. Originally published in German as Lexikon der Symbole in 1992, this collection of 1500 entries and more than 600 illustrations is useful in some ways, but given the inestimable number of symbols in the world, each selection was a personal choice that meant the exclusion of some other entry. Entries vary in length from a sentence (e.g., for "Gothamites") to a page (e.g., for "number symbolism"). Both a general meaning and a cultural and/or geographic meaning are usually given. This book would be good for popular browsing, but as a reference tool it is not adequate. For a solider approach, stick to Hans Biedermann's scholarly Dictionary of Symbolism (LJ 9/1/92).
L. Kriz, Sioux City P.L., Ia.
Copyright 1994 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From Booklist
Becker, an authority on semiotics (the theory of signs and symbols), has produced a scholarly compendium of symbols. Translated from the original German, more than 1,500 entries are arranged alphabetically, along with 800 illustrations, most of them in black and white, with an insert of colorplates. As he states in the foreword, the selection from the inestimable number of symbolic signs is always a personal one by the editor. Readers will find symbolic meanings for common objects, such as the rose, cross, and numbers, as well as the Greek god Tyche, valerian weed, and ancient mythical giant Ymir. Exploring a wealth of objects and concepts, this encyclopedia traces symbols to their cultural, religious, or mythological origins in 50-100 words. A short bibliography provides additional references. Dictionaries of symbols abound, and each covers some different symbols. Dictionary of Symbols [RBB Ja 1 92] has 1,500 symbols arranged by shape and is more strictly limited to graphic symbols. This new book gives the symbolic meaning of such things as hair, the desert, and sneezing, which are not written symbols. It would be appropriate for academic libraries that need additional sources in this area.

Review
"More than 800 illustrations . . . on such topics as labyrinths, magic squares, and the numbers one through ten. Beautifully produced and worth the price. Recommended."-Choice

"…a handy compendium of symbols from which readers may begin an in-depth, scholarly investigation…attractive and a handy size."--American Reference Book Annual

Becker, an international authority on symbols and semiotics, has compiled a collection of symbols useful in giving meaning to everyday life. Originally published in German as Lexikon der Symbole in 1992, this collection of 1500 entries and more than 600 illustrations is useful in some ways, but given the inestimable number of symbols in the world, each selection was a personal choice that meant the exclusion of some other entry. Entries vary in length from a sentence (e.g., for "Gothamites") to a page (e.g., for "number symbolism"). Both a general meaning and a cultural and/or geographic meaning are usually given. (Library Journal )

Becker, an authority on semiotics (the theory of signs and symbols), has produced a scholarly compendium of symbols. Translated from the original German, more than 1,500 entries are arranged alphabetically, along with 800 illustrations, most of them in black and white, with an insert of colorplates. As he states in the foreword, the selection from the inestimable number of symbolic signs is always a personal one by the editor. Readers will find symbolic meanings for common objects, such as the rose, cross, and numbers, as well as the Greek god Tyche, valerian weed, and ancient mythical giant Ymir. Exploring a wealth of objects and concepts, this encyclopedia traces symbols to their cultural, religious, or mythological origins in 50-100 words. A short bibliography provides additional references. Dictionaries of symbols abound, and each covers some different symbols. Dictionary of Symbols [RBB Ja 1 92 has 1,500 symbols arranged by shape and is more strictly limited to graphic symbols. This new book gives the symbolic meaning of such things as hair, the desert, and sneezing, which are not written symbols. It would be appropriate for academic libraries that need additional sources in this area. (Booklist )

Short articles suggest the significance that literature, religion, mythology, and psychology have attributed to such symbols as the apple, fire, hexagons, the phoenix, and yeast. Perhaps of interest to amateurs interpreting dreams or mystical narratives. Translated from the 1992 German original. (Book News Inc )

Tracing symbols to their cultural, religious, or mythological origins, this informative book explores a rich array of objects and concepts which contain hidden or encoded meanings behind their ordinary, outer appearance. An invaluable aid for artists, writers, and all those who search for the deeper significance lying within the ordinary and everyday. 1,500 entries. 900 illustrations. (Ingram )