1000 Symbols: What Shapes Mean in Art and Myth »

Symbols are an international language, but that language is far from universal. Different symbols mean radically different things in different contexts - a cross, a crane and a swastika each have a distinct meaning for a Buddhist, an art historian or a student of the occult. 1000 Symbols offers a comprehensive dictionary of symbols, placing each one in its historical and cultural context.

KLIATT

The editors of this hefty but user-friendly volume have assembled a wealth of information about more than 1000 symbols from many of the world's diverse cultures. The material is organized into broad categories of subject matter heaven and earth; characters and people; the body and actions; living creatures; mythical beasts; flowers, plants, and trees; objects and artifacts; and abstracts which are further subdivided in an extensive index to facilitate browsing. Even more useful is the A-Z Symbol Finder, which allows the reader to find a symbol quickly by looking it up alphabetically. Symbols are comprehensively cross-referenced within the entries as well. An effort has been made to include the symbols of many religions and cultures, with interesting contributions made by numerous specialists. While the book may not be comprehensive, it is certainly multicultural, and it includes a useful bibliography for further research. This entertaining and highly accessible approach to the history and meaning of cultural symbols is accompanied by 1,157 delightful illustrations that look more like paper-cuts than drawings. A worthwhile addition to school and public libraries, this dictionary of symbols should appeal to students interested in art, literature, world cultures, religion, and history. Category: The Arts. KLIATT Codes: JSA Recommended for junior and senior high school students, advanced students, and adults. 2002, Norton, Thames & Hudson, 352p. illus. bibliog., Art Gallery, Stony Brook, NY