Signs and Symbols: An Illustrated Guide to Their Origins and Meanings (DK Compact Culture Guides)

Signs and Symbols: An Illustrated Guide to Their Origins and Meanings (DK Compact Culture Guides)


Price: $26.00 - $11.96
(as of Feb 12, 2025 10:17:07 UTC – Details)



Since when did certain hand gestures become offensive? And why are scales a symbol of justice?

For thousands of years, humans have communicated through a language of signs and symbols. From uniforms to body adornment and corporate logos, symbols are everywhere, and this book is your guide to their secret meanings and history.

The Sun as well as the night sky with its stars and planets has long been used to symbolize supernatural forces. Learn about this and also how humans have used patterns, numbers, clothing, and more to signal authority, kinship, and status. Signs & Symbols decodes over 2000 emblems, explaining the visual language of architecture, heraldry, religion, and death. It answers questions such as why, for example, Christianity is symbolized by a fish, or how the Chinese use the crane bird to signify longevity.

This comprehensive book also explores how certain gemstones or flowers became linked to personal qualities and how the alphabet and national flags came into being.

Signs & Symbols will open your eyes to the fascinating world of symbolism that is embedded in every area of our lives.

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Publisher ‏ : ‎ DK; Illustrated edition (June 16, 2008)
Language ‏ : ‎ English
Hardcover ‏ : ‎ 352 pages
ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 0756633931
ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-0756633936
Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 2.8 pounds
Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 7.75 x 1.19 x 9.19 inches

Customers say

Customers find the book informative and educational, with nice illustrations and explanations. They find it helpful as an overview and a jumping point for deeper research. The book provides a comprehensive overview of symbols with photographs, sketches, and listed symbolic artifacts. Readers appreciate the clear, concise, and accessible descriptions. The book is presented in full color and offers good value for money.

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