Product Description

Symbols are often identified as an international language and, to some extent, they are. But that language is far from universal. Different symbols can mean radically different things in different contexts - a cross, a crane or a swastika could each have a distinct meaning for a Buddhist, an art historian or a student of the occult, for example, and none of those meanings would be quite the same 1000 Symbols offers the reader a full explanation: an introductory alphabetical index is followed by groupings of related symbols, every one with an extended definition of its history and its cross-cultural meanings. Whether you are baffled by the relevance of the winged staff held by Mercury in a classical painting, or wonder why the Hebrew menorah has seven branches, this comprehensive reference dictionary will give you the information you're looking for, and place the explanation in both its historical and cultural contexts.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #370484 in Books
• Published on: 2002-08
• Original language: English
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Paperback
• 352 pages

Review
Comprehensive reference dictionary, enabling you to identify a symbol, discover its history, and determine its cross-cultural meaning.

Synopsis
Symbols are often identified as an international language and, to some extent, they are. But that language is far from universal. Different symbols can mean radically different things in different contexts - a cross, a crane or a swastika could each have a distinct meaning for a Buddhist, an art historian or a student of the occult, for example, and none of those meanings would be quite the same 1000 Symbols offers the reader a full explanation: an introductory alphabetical index is followed by groupings of related symbols, every one with an extended definition of its history and its cross-cultural meanings. Whether you are baffled by the relevance of the winged staff held by Mercury in a classical painting, or wonder why the Hebrew menorah has seven branches, this comprehensive reference dictionary will give you the information you're looking for, and place the explanation in both its historical and cultural contexts.

About the Author
Rupert Shepherd is a freelance writer specialising in art history. Since graduating from the Courtauld Institute he has written two books on Renaissance art, and is currently working on a book about the history of the Palace of Westminster. Rowena Shepherd is an art historian currently working for English Heritage. Rachel Kennedy is a curator at the Victoria & Albert Museum. She specializes in the art of the 18th century, and has contributed entries on the symbolism of art to a number of dictionaries and encyclopaedias.

Customer Reviews

1000 Symbols
1000 Symbols came highly recommended to me from one of my professors in one of my classes on symbols. It was billed as one of the most extensive collection of symbols ever published. Given my interest in archetypes, mythology, and dream symbolism, I was intrigued so I put this book on my wish list.

1000 Symbols takes a slightly different take on symbols than other reference books on my shelf. All of the symbols included are actually illustrated, which is extremely useful when looking up a particular image. Moreover, each of the entries is presented detailing the historical usage of each item. For easy reference, the book is divided into categories and subcategories such as Characters and then various parts of the world or Living Creatures and then various types of animals. It really is a must have resource for anyone wanting more information about symbols.

Pretty pictures but little real content.
Every year we see books published that are a kind of compendum of esoteric knowledge. This is an attempt at one of them. Thumbing through the pages one can see there is a failure in the text to adequately address the true nature of the symbols being presented.
It leads one to suspect there is a lack of real understanding of these symbols on the part of the authors, directly implying that the material is not to be relied upon for any reason other than the visual imagry itself.
As a previous reviewer indicates, the pictures are quite detailed and, well, NICE. It does appear that the authors have relied not only on others to do their most of the work, ( the book being a compilation of other's knowledge and work) they have also relied on that old adage "a picture paints a thousand words" to do the remainder of it.
One of the editors claims to be not only be psychic, (see the text referring to this) but to be a practitioner of the Western magical Tradition. The question is then begged: If this is so why didn't Ms. Shepherd extend her claimed understanding to the text of the book?
Overall, an excellent visual resource for the artist or art historian, but a poor reference in terms of the text.

great reference for illustrators and designers
This book gives a brief history on each symbol and tries to include a variety of religious and cultural references. Each symbol is illustrated in the same bold sytle but is great for artists/designers for a quick reference and for background information. It may also be useful as a starting point for creating logos and identies.

It is not very well indexed ie you cannot search by religion or country but rather by category eg nature.

Not comprehensive information on each symol but the representation is well executed. The info supplied is enough to give you a lead or inspire interest.