1000 Symbols What Shapes Mean in Art & Myth

by Shepherd, Rowena; Shepherd, Rupert

• ISBN13: 9780500283516
• ISBN10: 0500283516
• Edition: 00
• Format: Paperback
• Copyright: 2002-07-17
• Publisher: Thames & Hudson

Summary

1000 Symbols offers a comprehensive directory of symbols in clear, detailed artworks, each accompanied by a definition of the symbol's history and its cross-cultural meanings. Beginning with an alphabetical, cross-referenced index, the book is then organized into groupings of related symbols: Geometrical Shapes-circle, square, triangle, pentagram, crescent, and spiral are just a few of the entries. The Universe and the Elements includes all the symbols for the world around us-earth, air, fire, and water, as well as times of day or month, and the planets. Characters and People details the symbolism attached to specific characters or to people and their general attributes. Living Creatures denotes the symbolism of animals, birds, fish, and insects. Flowers, Plants, and Trees highlights the symbolism of growing things, from the oak to the lotus. Mythical Beasts contains beasts from the myths and legends of all cultures, including hybrids such as the centaur. Objects and Artifacts includes made or manufactured objects of symbolism, from knot to labyrinth. Numbers and Colors outlines their symbolic attributes in different cultures and contexts. Whether you are baffled by the relevance of the winged staff held by Mercury in a classical painting or wonder about the number of branches on the Hebrew menorah, this comprehensive directory will give you the information you are looking for, and place the explanation in its historical and cultural context.

Table of Contents

A-Z Symbol Finder	10	(10)
Preface	10	(4)
Heaven and Earth
Heaven	14	(13)
Air	27	(3)
Fire	30	(2)
Water	32	(4)
Earth	36	(23)
Patterns	59	(5)
Characters and People
Archetypes	64	(14)
African	78	(3)
European, Mediterranean and Middle Eastern	81	(54)
The Far East	135	(6)
The Americas	141	(3)
Pacific	144	(4)
The Body and Actions
The Body	148	(15)
States	163	(3)
Actions	166	(12)
Living Creatures
Mammals	178	(17)
Birds	195	(12)
Reptiles and Amphibians	207	(4)
Aquatic Creatures	211	(4)
Insects and Arachnids	215	(3)
Animal Products	218	(6)
Mythical Beasts
Mythical Beasts	224	(12)
Flowes, Plants and Trees
Trees and Bushes	236	(13)
Herbs, Spices and Incense	249	(3)
Grains	252	(2)
Fruit, Vegetables and Nuts	254	(5)
Flowers	259	(5)
Miscellaneous	264	(4)
Objects and Artefacts
Buildings	268	(5)
Forms of Transport	273	(4)
Symbolic and itual Objects	277	(14)
Weapons	291	(6)
Musical Instruments	297	(5)
Tools	302	(10)
Containers	312	(2)
Furniture	314	(6)
Toys, Games and Entertainment	320	(2)
Writing	322	(2)
Clothes and Jewelry	324	(7)
Miscellaneous	331	(3)
Abstracts
Shapes	334	(9)
Colours	343	(3)
Letters and Words	346	(2)
Numbers	348	(3)
Further Reading	351