The Secret Language of Symbols

by David Fontana

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In this highly readable and vividly illustrated book, best-selling author David Fontana traces the origins of hundreds of symbols and symbol systems that have impacted human culture, art, history, literature, and even dreams. From chakras and the I Ching to the tarot and the zodiac, from mythical beasts to magical numbers, these are the symbols that shape consciousness. Visual artists, students, and soul searchers of every stripe will want to deepen their knowledge of these intriguing icons. show more Now in a compact and handy size, its more practical than ever for both reference and inspiration. show less

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Member Reviews

6 reviews
This is a beautiful album with coloured illustrations and their explanations in cultures from around the world. The author doesn't pretend to cover all symbols or all their interpretations, but this book serves as a great introduction to the most common types of symbols from simple ones (colours, animals) to complex systems (Tarot, Chakras). As well, while there is a definite effort to have a global perspective, the author mostly concentrates on Europe, India and China.
I usually give away all my books, I will be keeping this one as it makes a lovely reference.
Pocket sized, nicely illustrated in colour but otherwise, symbology for the lazy or superficial. Too small to be of any great value.
EL LENGUAJE DE LOS SÍMBOLOS

Los símbolos son el lenguaje de la mente.

los primeros símbolos aparecieron en las pinturas rupestres de la época
paleolítica Y, a pesar de haber sido realizados hace varios miles de años
siguen interpelando nuestro intelecto, nuestras emociones y nuestro espíritu
en tanto que expresiones surgidas de lo más profundo de la naturaleza
humana.

El Lenguaje de los símbolos contiene incontables ilustraciones a todo
color y reveladores ensayos que explican los diferentes símbolos que han
testimoniado el desarrollo de la civilización a lo largo y ancho del planeta.

● Completa guía visual de los símbolos y su significado.

●.Adéntrate en el fascinante universo de cultura, historia y psicología
que subyace en show more cada símbolo y conjunto de símbolos.

●Profundice en su conocimiento de los símbolos y su papel en el arte,
la tradiciòn y las complejas creaciones de la psique human
show less
Excelente compilação de símbolos de todas as regiões mundiais, de todos os continentes, de muitas culturas cujas crenças se apoiam um pouco em mitologia. Muito fácil de percorrer, com muitas imagens e cor. Agradável à vista. Tamanho pequeno e fácil de transportar.
Nov 19, 2008Portuguese
ACHTERKANT:

Magie, beeld en betekenis

Symbolen verschenen voor het eerst in paleolithische rotsschilderingen, duizenden jaren geleden. Als diepzinnige uiting van de menselijke ziel behouden ze hun kracht door de tijd heen en hebben ze betrekking op ons intellect, onze emoties en onze gedachten. Verborgen taal van symbolen bevat honderden kleurrijke illustraties en een heldere uitleg over de symbolen die hebben bijgedragen aan de beschaving van deze wereld.

* Een handig naslagwerk over symbolen en hun betekenissen.

* Verken de fascinerende wereld van een cultuur, de geschiedenis en de psychologie, die achter elk symbool schuilgaat.

* Verdiep uw begrip en waardering voor symbolen en hun positie in de kunst, de traditie en het complexe show more systeem achter de menselijke psyche. show less
Dutch

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Author Information

Picture of author.
102 Works 2,632 Members
Professor David Fontana is a Fellow of the British Psychological Society, and his many books, which include The Secret Language of Symbols and The Secret Language of Dreams, have been translated into more than 25 languages. He holds a professorship at Liverpool John Moores University and is a Distinguished Visiting Fellow at Cardiff University.

Common Knowledge

Canonical title
The Secret Language of Symbols
Original title
The Secret Language of Symbols: A Visual Key to Symbols and Their Meanings
Alternate titles*
De verborgen taal van het symbool.
Original publication date
1993
Epigraph
"Truth did not come into this world naked, but it came in types and images. One will not receive the truth in any other way... The bridegroom must through the image to discover the truth."
-The G... (show all)ospel of St. Philip
First words
Symbols tend to accumulate their meanings slowly, over hundreds of years.
Last words
(Click to show. Warning: May contain spoilers.)The meaning symbolized by these two hexagrams is then read from the pages of the I Ching, and advice gained as to the relevant courses of future action.
Original language
English
*Some information comes from Common Knowledge in other languages. Click "Edit" for more information.

Classifications

Genres
Nonfiction, Art & Design, General Nonfiction, Religion & Spirituality, History
DDC/MDS
302.222Society, Government, and CultureSocial sciences, sociology & anthropologyMass Communication & MediaCommunicationKinds of communicationNonverbal communication
LCC
BF458 .F56Philosophy, Psychology and ReligionPsychologyPsychologyConsciousness. Cognition
BISAC

Statistics

Members
690
Popularity
41,263
Reviews
6
Rating
½ (3.57)
Languages
10 — Dutch, English, Estonian, French, German, Hungarian, Norwegian (Bokmål), Portuguese, Spanish, Swedish
Media
Paper
ISBNs
29
UPCs
3
ASINs
5