From the brand
From the Publisher
Handbook of Visual Experience
This encyclopedia explores the hidden meanings of visual symbols across time and geography, from the sun to whales and the human hand. Spanning different eras and cultures, over 800 beautiful images combine with expert illuminations of symbol history, meanings, and psychic associations, offering readers a precious and fascinating resource for thoughtful interpretations of life, art, and spirituality.
An exploration of symbols and their meanings throughout history
The Book of Symbols combines original and incisive essays about particular symbols with representative images from all parts of the world and all eras of history. The highly readable texts and over 800 beautiful full-color images come together in a unique way to convey hidden dimensions of meaning. Each of the ca. 350 essays examines a given symbol’s psychic background, and how it evokes psychic processes and dynamics. Etymological roots, the play of opposites, paradox and shadow, the ways in which diverse cultures have engaged a symbolic image—all these factors are taken into consideration.
Authored by writers from the fields of psychology, religion, art, literature, and comparative myth, the essays flow into each other in ways that mirror the psyche’s unexpected convergences. There are no pat definitions of the kind that tend to collapse a symbol; a still vital symbol remains partially unknown, compels our attention and unfolds in new meanings and manifestations over time.
Rather than merely categorize, The Book of Symbols illuminates how to move from the visual experience of a symbolic image in art, religion, life, or dreams to directly experiencing its personal and psychological resonance.
The Book of Symbols sets new standards for thoughtful exploration of symbols and their meanings, and will appeal to a wide range of readers: artists, designers, dreamers and dream interpreters, psychotherapists, self-helpers, gamers, comic book readers, religious and spiritual searchers, writers, students, and anyone curious about the power of archetypal images.
JC –
The book has a picture and the relevant details so we’ll set out and a great book to delve into when ever you want too fasinating, and spell binding. Love it
peter –
This is a book you read a bit at a time. The lay out is great and the pictures are good. Find new thing ever time i read it.
john m –
Really helpful and comprehensive
lee phillips –
What a wonderful book. You get a lot of book for your money. It’s well presented and well worth it. I can see this being a great reference book for years
Sphiera –
This book is amazing. I bought for husband who has not put it down. It’s very well written and is so insightful. The book itself is beautiful and has sections carved into the pages to form tabs for quick access to the categories. It also has stunning hanging ribbon page markers for each section all different colours. The pages are filled with beautiful pictures to accompany and support the text and also has many analysis of art relating to the symbols too. The spine is strong and the book is clearly made so well. The cover has a slight Deboss and makes a nice texture. I don’t know how this book is at this price. If this is something that interests you It’s a steal.
Zoe –
This is a book obviously created with great care. Very nice essays, useful for the understanding of the perception of the world and its images through time.It is very inclusive, you will find images such as the umbrella or the car, which takes it further than tradition.But beware! This is NOT a book where you will read about the meaning of ouroboros, or the ankh, or the celtic cross, etc., etc. The word archetypal in the subtitle is of great importance. If this is what you’re looking for, than I would suggest:The Illustrated Signs and Symbols Sourcebook
E –
Wow, what an amazing book. The publishers succeed fully in collecting archetypal images, some ancient and some surprisingly modern, and guiding the reader on to further research through reference, poetry and art.Some reviewers have criticized the small pictures and “insufficient” writing, but if the publishers had given us all the detail available the book would be so heavy you would have needed a trolley to carry it around and weight-lifter’s arms just to open it. Plus which this is a book about symbols, which resonate on an unconscious level, so excess writing is not necessary.A book to keep on your bedside table and randomly flick through before sleep, or to read from page one to the end. Can’t recommend highly enough.
Amazon Customer –
Personally I am fascinated by and love investigating any literature I can get my hands on about symbols. Symbolism and semiotics.You don’t have to READ this book though- it can flicked through to randomly select a symbol.It’s a coffee table book in my house and everyone picks it up. It’s detailed enough to be of substance but not too detailed for those who aren’t particularly interested in symbols to lose interest. Especially because each symbol is a section by its self.
Ursa –
Obsessed – Excellent for Jungian/Art History Studies
I have always been obsessed with dictionaries of symbols and have a great many. This is something entirely different. It takes the symbol as archetype approach and, with remarkable astuteness, gives a one page explanation for each symbol. The language is elegant and elevated, but jam packed with incredible information, but the visuals. So many beautiful pictures of art. I really think it’s a gem of a book. I keep it in my nightstand to support the interpretation of my dreams in the morning. I’ll be gifting a few too.
Lovro –
Great book
Great book to learn new things about known symbols