Publisher's Synopsis
This is a compendium of symbols in human psychology and civilization. With over 1500 entries and illustrations, the book explores a wealth of objects and concepts and the hidden or encoded meaning concealed behind their ordinary, outer appearance. Entries range from examples of metaphor and allegory to the symbolic meanings of numbers, letters, astrological signs, the four elements, plants and animals, literary or mythological figures, and a rich array of abstract concepts that find their tangible expression in the world of symbols and symbolism.
