This encyclopedic guide explores the rich and varied meanings of more than 2,000 symbols—from amethyst to Zodiac.

Dictionary of Symbolism offers nearly 600 entries that explain the meanings and origins and power of over 2,000 symbols culled from the worlds of fairy tales; Native American legends; The Bible; Literature; Folklore; Greek, Roman, Celtic and Chinese mythology; Archaeology; Anthropology; History; Religion; Philosophy; and, many others. Some 600 b&w illustrations accompany the entries. The illustrations are then gathered into a pictorial index, allowing readers to look up a symbol and find its meaning in the text. This reference work defines symbols not only as visual icons (including shapes, color, and geometric designs) but also as biblical, classical, and mythological figures; botanics; minerals; and animals (real and mythical) as they relate to literature, dreams, art, and so forth. This work, which consolidates much arcane information, is valuable for its elucidation of both the esoteric and commonplace.