The Illustrated Book of o Horseshoe Centaur uellect vs Symbol of Good Luck y Instinct Tortoise Symbol of Long TAROT Life ^S lard of Decision Thousands of Signs and Symbols from Around the World Miranda Bruce-Mitford CADUCEUS Tiblem of Medicine Freemasonry Compass and Square The Illustrated Book of Symbols The essential reference for decoding signs and symbols The world around us is filled with signs and symbols Those we have chosen to create, such as alphabets and flags, are universally recognizable, but others, of uncertain and ancient origin, mean Why, different things to different peoples for example, love, or a snake a West and a sign a red rose the flower is symbol of of wisdom in of evil in the China? Find the answers to these questions and thousands of others in this comprehensive and stimulating visual guide of signs and symbols Specially commissioned illustrations and photographs, including artifacts, famous paintings, and sculptures, provide a much-needed visual key to this mysterious language The ultimate visual catalog Showing thousands of signs symbols from East and West, The Book ofSigns and Illustrated & Symbols not only gives the meanings of each, but also explores the symbols' origins in art, religion, literature, psychology, folklore and For ease of reference the signs and symbols are grouped by category, from flowers and religious symbols to shapes and numbers, and a clear cross-referencing system directs the reader to related signs and symbols to waders of into ir>n all ages, this Designed to appeal book is a rich source of and an indispensable reference book for interpreting and understanding signs and symbols Do Azt in everyday life eaded Serpent Associated with -ivingRain re $24.95 The Illustrated Book of ô%ô%%ôô %.%'% %^%- % % % ã,! » > I « I I I « I t I t I I % t I I t ~^S%S*^^S%S%S%S%s%*^S*^S%S%S%S*^S%S%S%S%S%S%S%S%S+'+S%S*^^+^S%S%S%S%S%S%s+.'% The Illustrated Book of Miranda Bruce-Mitford ALLSTON BRANCH LIBRARY n >ôôôôôô.%ôã% AL BR REF AZ108 B78 1996x A DK PUBLISHING BOOK Emma Senior Editor US Editor Camela I Foa Decaire Senior Art Editor Sarah Ponder iJREDTODK Shamrock Managing Editor Anna Kruger Managing Art Editor Peter Bailey Art Editors Joanna Pocock, Martin Wilson Editor Shirin Pahi Assistant Designer Ali Cobb DTP Designer Nicola Studdart Picture Research Sharon Southren Production Katy Holmes Index & Glossary First Joanna Lane American Edition, I 468 10^75 Published b) DK m the I I'M M1STR1 nited States Publishing in York 1001(1 Vk it us on the Copyright © All rights reserved Egyptun funerary stela (detail) Conventions in a retnc, Wot Id Wide Web Imp //www 1996 Dorling Kinderslej I ilk com muted, London under International and Pan American Copyright ublication ma) be reproduced, stored transmitted in any form 01 b) an) means, No pan electronic, mechanical, phot> rding, or otherwise, without the prior written permission of tl pyright ownei Published in Great Britain by Dorling Kindersle) imited I A CIP I catalog record for this bi liable from the Librar Congress ISBN 0-7894-1000-1 Islamic Colour reproduction by Colourscan, Singapore Pnnted and bound in Spain by Artes Graficas Toledo, S.A 1)1 TO 1192- 1999 Shiva, 1 >rd 01 mi dani i Contents Introduction Tools Weapons iSr 90 Mythologies & Religions & Mourning Death 92 12 Architecture Ancient Deities 94 H l:\er\da\ Objects Judaism 96 16 Christianity Symbol Systems 18 Hinduism 20 Buddhism 22 Islam 24 Ancestor & Nature Spirits Sea Creatures Picture Writing Numbers & Others Insects 56 Reptiles & Amphibians 58 102 Shapes 60 Mythical Beasts Birds 28 64 & Patterns 104 Color 106 Mammals 26 00 J 54 Alchemy 108 Freemason r\ Nature Sun 32 & Moon Sex & Sk\ Divination & 34 Earth 70 \\2 72 Heraldic Emblems 114 Dance & Theater 76 Magic & Charms 40 78 Gardens 42 Musical Instruments Trees ^strolog) Human Body 38 Precious Stones no Fertility 36 Precious Matter 109 People 68 International Signs 116 Symbolic Gestures 118 80 Love & Marriage ( rloSSCU 44 82 120 Plants Clothing Index 4d 84 111 Natures Foods Jewelr) 48 86 I lowers 50 Royalt) 88 \ urthei Reading I 117 \ ( bicw ledgments IS l Signs & Symbols Introduction tO A FUNDAMENTAL PART OF HUMAN" NATURE not Onlv J survive and reproduce, but also to seek explanations for the mysteries of life Because these mysteries are in T IS nTTTBTTTTl SMTUGQ R VICTORY is known Pi This sign '.as tradema; Chi' rfi 'i ii i e ti in Asia and is si il i audiem a ton • 1 at bow I m iw to theii Ii i applause In the West bowin nnies accompanies the till ; Okay DING H VNDS ii thumb and rm a circle and move back and hand forel her bee i hal ignif) ing i i in bow humilit) in m.illi forth to indicate that than the other fiance I 18 oilier cultures, spectators a similar gesture covering their gladiator's i I chawing nl Meaning "okay," stems from a he hand palm upward wa\ parting i raised with Although rare in the West, the rubbing ol noses is still practiced often mai is I the Symbolic Gestures Arms Kissing Hand kiss This gesture Cheek Praise kiss Triumph In this gesture, palms, This Arms and head gesture practiced in the straight in the air arc a sign of success: the person feels this are turned Childhood insult heavenward big Children the world over stick their tongues out as a rude gesture - Be quiet An easily recognized perhaps their lips are sealed symbol of first is a friendly West, in which both people kiss each other on one or both cheeks a is symbol of respect, and was once commonly performed by a man greeting a woman Usually the lips barely touch the hand silence, the learned insult Surrender A recognized gesture Hail Depending on the stiffness of the arm, this is a friendly gesture or a Fascist salute Roman a weapon goes back to times and was know don't I Anger Biting one's lower lip This gesture involves pulling down the It adopted by Hitler the 1930s of submission, this armsraised posture shows that the person is not reaching for while shaking one's comers of the mouth in a facial equivalent to head from side shows barely shrugging shoulders contained anger to side Eyes Ri |OK l\( This gesture, Tin KlSS, G it 1907-8 Lovers' kiss An erotic view which combines jumping in the air of a kiss, in which two people are fused together in total intimacy with the slapping of right hands, is a S 1 ^ spontaneous display of joy is most It Winking common A wink has Exasperation A familiar sign ol in the field of team sports exasperation, the eyes are turned heavenward, as various meanings, from sexual approval by a potential aimer, to collusion E etwecn two people in though invoking divine assistance the know BlOWIM A symbol \ Kiss ol love often from a mothei to a child, or to a friend too distant to embrace Sm USD Arms i ! I N Yis hv •xpti by turning tin- head Although shaking one's head generally from std North Alma with :arp turn >r a in Awn Ski imk ism Raising |UM one India and Pakistan this wobbling from side to sidi- means eyebrow is a I he two sides ( Rossi Hands aa n yebrows raised and furrowed is an instinctive respon I uniimon gesture ol disbelief face are IM.IRs me ol the odds, registering a state nliision I is FOOl a Kiss ture symbolizing natural expression, humility and respect, common performed by the Pope during llo|\ Week cultui anxii ty it s> to all ii Kissing Moi m i* h I I & Signs Symbols Glossary Greek and Roman mythology In references to booh, we have generally used the the gods rather than their because they tend to gods are listed in the Roman names for Bodhisattva Future Buddha; one postpones Nirvana in order Brahma The four-headed god who the universe term for God or the state In Greek and Roman mythology, a by Venus He was beautiful youth loved of the in The Nights or Arabian Nights, a poor ,001 boy who who tried to find a way to turn ordinary metals into gold Allah Islamic name for God allegory A story and events are meant A love, evil Annunciation The angel Mary to tell Gabriel's visit to her that she will he execution of Christ b) Dreaming, the known Ariadne Daughter of Cretan King Minos in Greek mythology, who helped Theseus only to be later abandoned by him Aristotle Ancient Greek philosopher advocating reason and moderation Ashanti People from central Ghana pleasure for religious reasons Iraq, who inhabited and who conquered a vast empire nationalist leader, A and Vishnu's ten incarnations on earth who inhabited ancient Mexico Bacchus (Greek Dionysus) Roman god of fertility and wine a eagle's body a lion's beak and wings festival of lights of love and for his strength in life, A heresy Herod Herod and woman, who lived with Adam, in the Garden ol slavery in Egypt Antipas, governor of the in Jesus tunc Hittites Inhabitants of ancient Anatolia Syria Blind Greek poet of the 8th century bc, author of the epics Biblical first of the Jews from belief that contradicts authorized religious teaching Homer to erotic stimulation Iliad and Odyssey Horus Egyptian hawk-headed sun god, son of Isis and Osiris Ching Ancient Chinese book ol I Flood, the According to many religious an ancient disaster that all heading beauty erogenous zone Area of body susceptible drowned mythical beast with Hathor Egyptian goddess Aboriginal humanity except for a chosen few Iraq A Roman mythology famous liquid giving everlasting traditions, for harbinger Forerunner, precursor of thunder, form of the Goddess Exodus The escape famous icinKing Jews her husband, and Garuda Fabulous bird, mount of the Hindu god Vishnu Great Goddess An embodiment of the feminine principle May take different forms, In Hinduism, may be benign or Hinduism elixir in Christian God's messenger Hercules (Greek Herakles) Hero of Greek goddesses controlling destiny avatar Incarnation; one of the Hindu god Babylonians Inhabitants of ancient women Fates Atropos, Clotho, and Lachesis, auspicious Bringing good luck Aztecs An American Indian people ol In Australian terrifying belief Hanukkah The Jewish Eden Assyrians Ancient peoples now Durga A fertility Gandhi, "Mahatma" (1869-1948) Indian of earthly thought, the spiritual and natural order Eve asceticism Denying oneself physical is Muslim incorporating legends of the ancestors as the 1,001 Nights invented Norse mythology, Odin's wife Gabriel Archangel unfaithful to David Second Hebrew king, father of Solomon Diana (Greek Artemis) Roman goddess of god of prophet Arabian Nights A what is son of Venus Donar Teutonic god tales, also In griffin Apollo Greek and Roman sun god, and collection of Eastern folk who nonviolent Ireeclom struggle to a cross hunting, protector give birth to Jesus Freya native people ol North Cupid (Greek Eros) Roman god charm, often inscribed with a shaped the Furies Avenging goddesses in Greek oi him magic formula, to protect one against the Virgin I him on how much of mythology cuckold Man whose wife to be interpreted symbolically amulet horned god lord cosmos, cosmology Universe; study of the universe as an ordered whole nailing belief, personality depending goddess of love, marriage, and Cherokee A Native American people Churchill, Winston British Prime Minister during World War II CND Campaign for Nuclear Disarmament Crucifixion which the characters in according to medieval psychologist America of medieval bile) that, psychoanalysis fertility Comanches A has a magic lamp Alchemy The chemistry scientists, Celtic and black each was present in the body that achieved by meditation is four fluids (blood, bile, Freud, Sigmund (.1856-1939) Austrian trinity and detachment nature and Japanese island Hokkaido Aladdin The main character enlightenment Cernunnos killed while boar hunting Agni Hindu fire god Ainu Aboriginal inhabitants created Religious leader, founder of Buddhism, who taught of cosmic unity Adonis Buddha Hindu humors The phlegm, yellow and who with Vishnu and Shiva, forms the A four others Greek counterparts, be more familiar The Roman here with then Greek equivalents Absolute, the who to save divination initiation Isis four elements Earth, air, fire, and water, believed in medieval times to be the basic ingredients of the universe 120 ceremony A rite of admission, marking the entry into adulthood Inuits Inhabitants of Greenland and the Arctic region of North America Eskimos often Chief goddess of ancient Egypt, sisici wife of Osiris Israelites Descendants of the patriarch (Jacob), the Jews Gl OSSARY k Jacob Hebrew patriarch whoso twelve sons were ancestors Jonah by who was swallowed Biblical figure Buddhism character who, Noah Biblical command, built division ol ancient 1875-1961) Swiss psychologist and colleague of Freud who originated analytical of the Roman Roman mythology, god Koran The Muslim sacred prophet in texts as revealed Mars (Greek Ares) Roman god oJ war martyrdom Hying for one's belief Marj \ irgin The mother of Jesus Christ who lived in ol and was the Divine through Rama Socialist Republics wax tablets Taoism Chinese philosophical system us kingdom \isting i \ minotaur learning in Egyptian mytholog) transcendence own destruction Roman god ol Hades ol of the dead, from the beginning; I limitations ol ( >ften an ancestoi figure he surpassing ol all human knowledge and experience tribe of Judah Descendants ol |udah, son ol |ewish patriarch |acob Trojan nsuall) depicted asa War Legendar) siege ol the city ol Troy by the creeks tzars Emperors ol pre-Revolutionar) I he ninth month of when Muslims last the Islamic b\ da) fathei of Osiris and Renaissance I he transitional period ol aits people of North ol beaut) and love Venus, sphere of In medieval thought, I the earth was encased in nine in\ isible a in< reasin tc h planet Virgin Birth I Virgin Mar) Vishnu Japanese- aristocratic wairio equivalent ol I ngland S he birth ol |esus to the aftei hei tne Preservet the most important knights he anc uni literary language ol yinandyang insemination b) Lhe second largest plane) is lis believed by astrologers to give ris >ld, melanc hoi) temperament ol 1 and bright southwestern Nigeria Zoroastrianism Pre and daik while yang positive, masculine, Yoruba People ol principles, yin being negative, feminine, is With Shiva one Hindu gods hinese opposing yei complementary influence ol and ingenuity his courage God learning Saturn rojans and was famous for Venus (Greek Aphrodite) Roman goddess holding and ol Roman and Greek mytholog) who rotating spheres ol India Amen Russia Ulysses (Greek Odysseus) Hero fought the Vishnu's seventh incarnation, the Sanskrit heightened spiritual awareness un North totem An object or creature regarded as killed b\ feathered serpent Samurai directly experiencing Human-headed Egyptian god ol Solomon, King Hebrew king, son ol David, famed for wisdom Soviet Union The former Union ol Soviet sacred by a clan times, literally the 'rebirth led Egypl >f AN the iMs one god only who American people Thor Norse god ol thunder Thoth Ibis-headed god ol wisdom and between the Middle Ages and modern lawgiver and judge mysticism tht fire, Re Egyptian sun-god, Indian 570-632) The prophet and people out mm calendar, Islam Moses Hebrew who drove Promised Land ( anaan (present-da) Israel), which the Jews believed had been promised them b) God Quetzalcoatl Aztec god ol learning and of Ramadan light rulers 152r>-1857 monotheistic Believing Commandments America killed the ol a mythical hero of India's wai with Lanka prehistoric Crete ol Name ' worshiped by Romans ft on priest)^ functions Mithras Ancient Persian god of Sinai Mountain in Egypt where Moses nature primeval miniature Mohammed mythology thunderbolt primordial Minerva (Greek Athena) Roman goddess of wisdom and war Muslim dynasty ol a Phaeton Son of Apollo, the Underworld, ol the three great Theseus Hero of Greek mytholog) who from the flames I \t gods phoenix Fabulous Arabian bird reborn travelers ol teaching harmonious interaction with effect All the Pluto (Greek Dis) Mcsoamerica Central America, between Northern Mexico and Panama Mesopotamia The ancient name for part modern Iraq microcosm he world or universe in Navajo hypnotic Jupiter's glance turned people to stone his shepherds and hunters ol goat's horns and hoofs His pipes the earth Mercury (Greek Hermes) Roman founder a directly stylus Pointed implement for writing on chariot ol the sun for one day, nearl) sel Mexico Moghul emperors Northern nation or religion Mecca The birthplace of Mohammed Medusa In Greek mythology, a female monster with snakes for hair whose Minoan Of Ottoman Turks \o 300- patriarchs The founding lathers America and Southern messenger god ^od of all collective!) ancient Indian people had Shiva The Destroyer, one Sioux A to the Empire, ruled by the pantheon a Buddhist aid to meditation in Central sk) Osiris Egyptian god of the dead with a symbol of the universe, who works world spirit received the Ten Pan Greek god Vishnu, Maya An 1O20 Mohammed Pictorial of Norse mytholog) Ottoman Belonging of thunder Krishna Incarnation of the Hindu god mandala Odin Chief deny living creatures Jupiter (Greek Zeus) King of the gods -doctor Priest gods of Hinduism god women pantheon, protector of to the an Ark to save his family Orpheus Mythical Greek poet and musician with the power to enchant psychology Juno (Greek Hera) Queen goddess, with the from the Flood Palestine God's at Greek mythology in Human-headed Egyptian scorpion- Selket shaman reborn; goal of Christ to the Jews Jung Carl individuality and ol absorption into the cosmos, never to be Judas Iscariot Disciple who betrayed s.u\rs Hall-goat and hall-human woodland gods Nirvana Extinction a great fish Judea Southern ol the sea twelve tribes to Israel's Neptune (Greek Poseidon) Roman god «.«.%.-%».-% %.»,, Islamic Persian religion I & Signs Symbols Index Numerals main in bold denote entries arch 25, 95 betel nut archetype Bhutan, 10 11 Ariadne 97, 120 A 112 Aries, sign of Noah's 37, 106 26,39,63,67 Covenant of the acanthus 46 acorn 45 arrow Adam Art 42, 44, 48, 59, 74,84 Deco 35 Artemis Adonis 50, 120 120 14 44 see also Pi c 74 caduceus 40 108 Heket 58 cake, 52 ashlar 109 67 Astarte 71 birthstones 41 24 Athena 14 31, 49, bishop Aladdin 97, 120 albatross 67 alchemy 54, 01 121 $9, 59, Aztec 28, 35,40, 52, ambrosia 49 66, 74 120 10', amethyst 40, 41, 86 amulet 38,40,41, 56, 72, 120 40 84 boai 61 113, 114 Bodhi 14 B ~> ony 94 77 ba ilisk 57 Anubis 14, 62 15 -I 64 65, 121 beads 52,54.61,91, 120 apple 48 Aim 63, Apollo 14, 15, 31,34, n, 50, bower claw bea - I apron 109 96 16 120 i king 61 106 > bell 27, - i i 85 1 1 1 hrisl ; 97, 103, 104 buffalo 64 21.6! 97 11 corn 49, 100 In 53 cow, sacred 21 pansy 50 cowrie 55 passion Mower 50 crab 55 see also crescem I i' 51 46 k 55 \lolel 13 66 6/ while 37, il so 9] ( 58 44 wren 67 row I 17, 18, 22, 35, 74,88,89, mi ih-, crystal 47 65 lo tin ilix i reel crown (1 hristmas Hi e cross, I0(i mistletoe 107 53 us see ci/sn 11 15 is, 24, odile 10 cross 18, 118 49 nun ancer c crane 64.67, Hi, uihsh 55 51, 16 I palm 44 shell 85 corset cotton 84, II sage 47 41 cornelian coronation 89 h 38, 41 coral 53 cornucopia 71 sail 18 28, copper 39 maypole 76 rose 87 onfucius 27 t lighthouse 05 roostei 28 83 confetti usalem purse 101 ripi >< 44, 46, 47, 48, 49 i i 85 hoi olate iO 1] beret < 80 Aquarius 112 38, 39, 43, 45, 52, 29 chokei Buddhism 22-23, ' h 74 plum 48 88 hess condor 65 pig ID', 44 48 hi rry buckle 84, 87 int 15 120 74 n 85 hal conch 20, 22, 55 harp 81 opal 57, 109 104, Feng Shui 78 nan issiis 60 rokee In n 120 hameleon 58 chefs 95 86 105 15 chakra 20 i man 70 hammei 00 |i 28 mi hadai ( charm 65, 10 an 86 s| 6/ compass 25, 97, 102, 73 jasmine I 15,44, 54, 55, eru i aquamarine 41 in I Communion hen 64 18 emunnos I 73 14 44 21 10,40 bee 56,82 Barbn 10 Brahma 20, 22 63 'i ( i cross centipede let, brain eltic c 17 hyacinth 50 ( I Commandments, Ten 66 107 heart 14 I aiholk ism lis 10 hedgehog t howl, divination i, 100 60 118 reetin bay tree 43 Venus I bov 30 63, 115 bal 16 79 unconscious collective 107 hair > 95 lie 91 60 Bastei 90 I - 29, green 50 cartouche • si gray 88 magic pel, J! I ol up 54 .i prayer 96 basket bow gazelle 6.3 green nation 11 43 Pandora ankh 105 V- 15 box 96 bamboo 46 iras IVSUS Dil animus 10 35, 40, 48, 54,61.86, 120 10 also ^4 ol flute 55, grapes 48 ildi< prayi 18,97 Aphrodite 97 I anemone 50 anvil 2.: tre< i Town Babel ancestor spirits 26 ant 107 Bodhisattva 2? Ananta 20 am ma cards 74, 120 amntsa 44 anchor 67 blue ampulla 89 Amun-Re 112 96 goldfish apricom, sign coin jewelry 78, 86, 115 candle 07 bloodstone 41 91,95 Terasu 27 amber 38 egg 40 12 106, 117 bird world 44 axis, 29 ol sign "I ei black 45, 60, 65,87, 90 ax am < Clyde 52 coconut, double 74 hsh 54 anada, Hag ( 57 fish Mm see also 108, 120 Ama plains 46 mail 25 07 camel 63 38 79 on eagle 48 club 20 18,65 dragon 30 wedding 83 calligraph) mother-of-pearl dove 17, clover, four-leaved 46, 70 dice 14 104 stone 41 coral cadency marks goddesses agate 41 Al Borak 104 cloud 37 71 asana 22 54, Church 18 circle candle 97 64 Aesculapius 40 59 Amu acanthus 46 anemone 50 citrus fruit lotus ma 12 bread 49 fertility 91 57 Testament egg 40 114 heraldic Taurus see also butterfly 41, 56, 52, 115 blackbird 67 19 119 18-19, 39 Christianity New birth gestures 75, 19,37,49, 16, chrysanthemum see also Jesus 61 bull 74,81.00, 102 arms 75 45 115 54, 57, 60, 64, 73, Ark Aboriginals Australian acacia Bible bugle 81 4/ flag of hall 18 !8, I 14 41, 74 79 39, 110 cuckoo 64 < uneiloi 111 si ip| 101 f 5 1 In pi x cup 96 dervish 76 M Cupid 37 desert oo 120 elements, lour 72, 102, 108 102 Devanagari script ' 63 dharma 22 see also Cybefc 44 diamond 40 cyclamen 50 Diana cymbals 80 56,91, 120 J4, due 79 103, 111 Dionysus 44 46, 75 TV1 see also 91 17 53 50, Dead, Day ol the 02 dog 40 113 76, 60 lunar 72 anemone 50 dome ax 90 Donar 45 78 magic 79 of the soul 25, 37, 95, Stonehenge 107 04 wadjet 72.81 120 104 doors' (yantra wisdom 72 ol beech 44 Dracula 63 crow dragon 30 108 113 45 115 dod dreadlocks 4o 120 lizard mournir duck mulberr Durga 20,80, 120 TT h "4 get-me-not 50 guitar, electric Osiris 14 oyster 55 • 00 114 i r 20 hinese draj palm 44 fox pat Freemasonry 35 44 com 4o bunny 60 fez Fre\ pineapple 48 70 pinecone 44 frog 87 hair Hamlet 50 84 hammer 90 ^ hand 75 Furies 65 120 fig ol the future of 58 74 i^ T VJ 64 Ganesha 20 Hand 53 Fatima 24 ol handshake 118 106, 120 Hanukkah 16.40 120 2; Hanuman 20 garden, walled 42 60 hare 47 harp SI garnet 75 garuda 20,2 41 harp* 31 66, 120 hat Hathor tongue 72 gazelle ton Gemini list ires Gabriel 24 25 garlic 75 also 59 Ganga 75 God 75 -prints three-legged symbol 40 • o7 hawt- sign ol 112 head head dance 85 L 19 92 he.ni *7 pi< 48 1- 74 B3 Hebrew numerals 102 85 ol 61 om 31 118 hai •nails flsl 75 Heh Heh 19 llei tiki 14 »2 41 goldfinch 66 \9 HO 61 •ird 110 ravei list • 27 \lt 47 emerald 40 40 44 Hades 44 58 fungus 47 84 wl JL J 53 38 red sari 83 106 54 • reya dati 44 H 46 fifty-pence irden ol TT 109 phallus 74 fetish 34 ecli| - 60 : 80 gun 91 wheal 40 mer 74 • 22 75 s fountain 42 toad 64 - 42 swing Oo 96 breasts J— pop] 31.40 120 grotto more 44 basket 118 greeting swallow 64 Apsara 21 man green footprint 107 $ 17 griffin spear 91 70-71 green Buddha apple parsley 47 plants 46 47 fertility Vishnu's 75 sparrow acom 45 also Kali 90 pi: 78 orange 48 sou 61 s hui 97, oak 45 sacrifice 75 fennel iw: Pand binding 84 serpent Feng 54, 107 foot Fates 65,90, 120 feet drum- 76 80 105 - 04 se< reptiles 96 14 55 foot rue 49 fan 49 fool 89 64 falcon Dreaming, the 26 tooth 79 fairy, dragonfly 56 81 Makara 29 fur j mandrake 46 J8 93 107 Greeks, ancient fog 37 ram 61 h candle dan ~^2 plants T7 105 whisk 89 62 pomegranate 48, 82 B7 gray 5o fly 49.65 dovi 106 gravestone iO, flute peony 50 ^4 doorway 94 63 harpy 72 idol 114 dolphin 54.97 black 119 106, 107 15 Flora 28 mother-of-pearl 41.72,79 grapes 48 ol 116 115 mermaid 2° 74.84 120 evil doll, lose n 59, gestures death 92-93 alisk JO Cupid 30.42.44 48 Eve 75 deadly nightshade 46 ivy lion lotus see also a 41, flew ermine 88 dodo 0~ David, King 81, 120 flag 52 Ky-lin all-seeing 72 109 djed-pillar Ik -he hippopotamus honey 4o eve 72 110 head emperor 89 107, 115 Diwali 21 - 48 bat 70 divination Fowl 26, Daikoku date Elvis Bacchus direction sign \*J 42 40 [08, 120 Eros 14, 120 90, 120 fist higo elixir emerald 40 41 Artemis see also cypress 45 daisy elephant 20, 22 26, hare 60 47 gout I %-j%'%^% -%^%^%^'%^ hen ot i hennaed hand Ik: Signs & 5 Symbols *^%s%^M dog 60 Hera grapes 48 Juno see 29,62,114 heraldry 74 hear: lemon 17,48 Leo sign of 112 mace 22 leopard 62 116 Madonna Jerusalem 16 Ka'bah 24 Hercules 28 manna 49 Kali Hermes pig 61 heron 67 silver hieroglyphs 100 trees, Hinduism 14.20-21 29.49 53 54,57, 58.61.63.65.74 76,81.83,90.97 106 104 of level, 56, 65 Libertv Statue of Muslim kangaroo 63 Life Man emblem of Karttikeya 65 115 of Israel, flag ivy Durga Libra, sign of 75 38 ivory see also individual 46 lighthouse Khepn 35 lily hippogryph 31 Kippah 16 hippopotamus 63 kissing 44 honey 49 jackal honeysuckle 53 Jacob's ladder hoopoe 67 jade 41 Hopi 65 Japan, 62 09 flag of horse 61 113 flower of 115 horseshoe 79,83,87 jasmine 53 Horus 14 jay 100 97 Krishna 20 SI, 82, 89 hummingbird 66 Jesus 41.44 50 74 hyacinth 50 107 121 So Chnst jet 38, 58 87 hydra 28 Jonah 54 hyssop 47 Judaism ibis 66 duck 65 labyrinth 28, 74 97 Isis monkey Monroe Marilyn 70 49 lamp bow butterfly rose 56 cat 97 starfish 55 crescent He-he 52 dragons 30 65 hare 60 67 honey 49 50 horse rose lioness 51 Mars 15,67,91, 121 onion 49 Mars (planet) 113 ox-horn 61 Mary oyster see Virgin Mary Virgin 26 55, 40 salmon 54 Zeus Jupiter (planet lead 113 105 spiral 14 rhoth >4 16, 49, 103 unicorn 28, 60 moonstone I mortarboard 85 121, 121 Hermes Mercury (planet 39 57 snail 31, 59, 121 108 34 silver see also labyrinth see disc 55 shells Mercury 15 108, 40 107 55 51 rose 81 44 J8, queen 88 »4 17 Melanesia 55 pearl 77 59, 62 lyre laurel > moth 57 1 mother goddess S 14 Meretseger 59 18,21,46,49, leather 84 116 mermaid 29 hi, 62 Leda 65 mezuzah 107 leek Ca: leg 49 f> milk 49 75 Milky ^*^%s%s%?%s%fis%s%s%s%s%* 124 83 34 moonstone 41 landscape in Taoism Jupiter 15 44 45 62 in the milk 49 r>4 shofar 61 lapis lazuli 66 man and peac h menorah Juno 15.45, 53 ibis 81 27 58 goose 65 poppy 50 Jicui 107 frog, toad lute 96 60 duel Lancastrians 51 Iscariot 91 crab 55 Medusa 51 112, dove 65 knot 113 47 43 105 Krishna 82 (astrology) betel nut knoi 63, moon 34-35 marionette 76 ram 61 see also Islam 24-25 39, 102, mantra 21, 23 mask 15 23 maple matzah Judas 14, 66, 105 Zen maypole 76 oil 39 Thai 23 jasmine 53 mosque 25 iron manna 44 hoopoe 67 palm 44 50 47 78, 79 mantle ladybug 56 53 pig 61 46,81 monk honeysuckle information signs 117 iris money mandrake 46 47 ladder 90 95 109 Eros incense burner 21 of 1 mandorla 105 17,88 24 25 o3 121 mon lemon olive oil emblem Mohammed swallow 53 divine 84 Lamb, Sacred 54 mitered bishop 29 Malawi, Hag of 115 lace oak 45 Ireland, malachite 41 harp 81 Inan 27 Inuits betel nut 105 mistletoe 47 104 65.82 Aphrodite 104 • 104 20.21.22,23, 12 mirror 78 97 Makara 29 peons 34 Louis XIV 39 Lakshmi 21 74 57 longevity symbol menorah 103 intestines locust Ky-hn 28 L magpie 64 magpie lodestonc dog 60 lily 65 83 miniature 87 Minotaur 28 kingfisher Kuan Yin 55 ideograms 100 Incas lockei - magnolia 53 Juno 55 lobster 106 • grapes Ching 107 58 52,96, 104 acacia I iverpool, urns of Loch Ness Monster 28 81,85, 121 jester 97 Athena see also 51.93 38, marriage 83 eo 74 113 lizard Koran 24, 25 42 49 Huitzilopochth 66 114 44 Jerusalem 16 humors, four 74, 102 Knowledge Tree of 84 also lipstick Minerva 15, 121 mangold 52 62 114 115 82 liver knot garden 66 jeans, blue hourglass 74, hy lips knot 43 105 35 70 28 lion knighting 41 of 56 53 45 linga 78 knocker 94 emblem 74 linden 45 knight 89 114 horn 16,21, 118 - 53 70.93 L05, lime 114 minaret 25 121 of the valley kiwi 65 knife 95 -livered mime 77 mandala 51, 72 104 106 65 Kinnara 31 holly 97 key 96 103 kingfisher J Tree of 42.44 lightbulb king 10,73,74,88 gods 35 112 45.63 Kenya, Hag of 115 hippocamp 29 Hittues 81 101, 120 mason's 109 ilso Kami 27 sacred 45 also Isle 72, 106 Kama 86 79 votive herbs 47 15 108 121 M K ornaments 86 Way mother-of-pearl mouse 60 14 mouth 57 88 14 38 Index % % t %^-». % Muchatinda 22 l 22 HUti/lil Phaeton L6 49 olive oil -».-%.-%'% queen 58 121 phallus 74 pharaoh mulberry 45 Om phoenix 28, 31 108, music omphalos 74 Apollo 14 Kinnara 31 notation see also Islam and Koran rmt-\i< 80 myrtle 1" pictograms 100 opal 41 pig 61 pilgrims 48 (fruit) Pillars, pine 44 105 pink 86 107 Orpheus 81,121 pipes 81 Osins 14,46, 75,90, Pisces, sign ol Naga Rassa 59 Nanus, 04 ouija board 55 Nepiune 29,61, 74 padlock, Chinese 87 13 40 beads palm 50 89 palace 44 17 110 palmistry 50 45 Nidhogg ni^hlini;al( 67 H Nile m Sahib 4| mytholi Eden 47 50 -rubbing 18 14 44 Path O pearl 121 - 10, 89 103 protective garment pentagram i 41 l> 10 Catherine of Siena 53 74 21 seal St Francis of Assist seder 19,53 Selket 14 is 93 44 83 ring 83.87 14 67 50 Ro< Home quail 15, 20, 44 serpent 45,59,63 78,86 double-headed 28 St |ohn the si Mark si Mar) Magdal she.il 14 vangelist sea urchin shamroi 19 71 roman numerals 102 si Patrick Romans si Paul st Petet rool 19 90 st si | i salmon 44 ,1 marks 'ulei ol t 14 18 shiti.ih (a< a< 20 21 i.i >6 61 Valenti salamandet 'I • Shintoism 27 ship homas Aquinas 41 card 82 i 90 18 l is 95 rope 61 116 19 29 55 j I sheliu shield Shiva 67 46 46 k sheng 81 | 108 < hydra 28 shells 1", 10 101 Michael 91 70 66 John the Baptist si 25 • lerome 62 19 51 qualit) control 57 Matthew 96 ol the 75 79 si 80 I si k golden Qitou 84 St 61 63 65.67.71 Q 91 55 sea urchin sheep locket l >4 10, 19 36 54 St IS rice rock 46 14 David 49 robin puis, Poseidon seahorse 2° 54 Christophei Puranas 21 107 of 27 Si rivet 50, Monarch St 54 29 29 14 54 puppet 76 i/in pendulum Catherine St nhs 74 79 qiblah pen 47 • )i> olivi - pelican f>4 ">4 I 38 > 51 45 Odin peai St Greek 14,47,49, 105 peach 48 Makai.i mermaids/sirens Cecilia 81 ribbon, red 22 Lghtfold I Andrew 90 Augustine 81 St resurrection 10,73,89 15 si Hildegard 40 pyramid 17 Aphrodite George purple passion [lower 14 40.92 St 15,44, 54 gyptian 74 34 albatross 67 84 top St puja 65 parrot parsle) 75 42 44 rib 112 St protective figure J6 sea see ciKc individual princess bird ol scythe Sagittarius, sign ol gods pansy 50 Paradise 46 ol 47 sage 47 sailor's Scorpio emblem Scotland, 106 rug 24 45 parabaik 22 Nirvana 22 121 20 112 ol 57 see also wheel 23 primrose 53 ^>o sadku saffron 117 Roman 15,49, prince scorpion Norse 15 Pandora 88,89 i human 74 76,88 box 16 Pan pipes 46 81 I sw pie sacrifice, Jewish 16 newt 58 25 18, scent shaker 21 Celtic 55 Scorpio sign 14-15 78 ibra 5, 16 religions, ancient Neptune New Guinea 54 66 New Zealand 65 Pan 46 81 (2 106 115, 117 I book i s 51,56 66,67 82 prayer 107 Aries 83, 85, 93, 97, 14, 24 121 ii/s,> 90 sabbath reeds 61 scales 21, 107, 121 recycling sign 64 satyrs scarab 35 56 red 41,45, 48, 50, 50, 93 potion, love Pakistan, Hag of Poseidon Nepiune (planet) see pagoda 23 102 114 121 nettle 41 Poseidon Nelertem 52 121 net 54, poppy P ilso Polynesia pomander ol 36 61 64,67,88, 121 113 emblem see also Re, sun-god 44, 52, 109 rule pomegranate 48, 67 19 44 • 110,113 scallop raven 64, 92 Pluto (planet) ox 61, 113 74 navel rat 1 106 37 50 see also 112 80 Saturnalia 44 16, Rama Pluto 45, 121 10 owl 67 Narcissus 53 Nativity ram plum 45, 48 plumb sapphire 40 41 Sarasvaii Saturn Russia, rainforest plow 90 67 ostrich 100 40 41 runes rainbow ornaments, garden 43 oyster rabbit cone 71 75 Ostara 53 Divine 25 Five pineapple 48, 70 naga 29 Napoleon 66 R 24 orange (color) 107 105, 121 Samurai 54,91, 121 Rosetta Ston< rub> Delilah 73 21 19 orb 88,89 organ 81 N 108 j 47 mar) •% *.-i Samson and 51 window 40, 31 121 quintessence 75 109 pillar orchid 50 45 Tudor rose-water sprinkler onion 49 orange 66 121 Ophelia 50 16 Muslim 24 25, 45,91 14 75 74.88 54, 10, Quetzalcoatl 88 Olympic games 49 21 % » » » %^%.'» %.-%.-» -•-»-»%.•%•»»*»»-%»*•.» ioldi 54 84 28 stiletto shofat Salu shou samsai shrine 70 16 104 ^%s%^4 *.^%^%^%^%s%^%s-%r'%^ I 5 Buddhist 23 six-pointed 104 Surya 61 household 21 108 115 sutra 24 Islamic 55 starfish Shinto 27 stela see also chorten sticks, divination Sicily, emblem sickle 90 of 75 emblem of 91 39,86,97 116 103 Sioux 66, 121 Mary 38,42,47,48 106 121 Swinton family, arms Torah 17 Virgo, sign of torch Vishnu 20 21 31 94 28 112, 80,89,90,91.04 symbol, sex 70 T 64 garuda 29, 31 snake 22, 59, 113 58 snakes and ladders 59 Tahiti goose 65 Taj Grand Master 109 talisman 40, 72, 86, Mahal 93 snowflake 37 hawk 67 heron 67 Tane 64 horse 61 Taoism 27 44 47 108 Temple of 25 109 Solomon Islands 54 South Korea, Japan 115 symbol lion 60, of former 90, 121 lotus 52 spear 91, 115 orange 48 Sphinx 31 peacock 65 pomegranate 48 spine 75 quail 67 temple 25, 72, 95, raven 64 104 109 Spirit, Holy 18 Re Hindu 21 14 ring (on cross) spoon 97 rooster square 104 spider 57 square and compass spiral Lanka, flag of stairs star 1 62 stag 24, 25 -pointed 78, 102, 18 64 105 63 107,116 sunflower 52 of David 16 115 turtle see tortoise washing thorns, crown of 17 wasp 57 121 70 yoni York 51 Z see also sea 17 salt waterfall waving weal her 37 Zaire, flag of 18 Zen 37 garden 43 whale 54 zero unconscious 10 wheat 46 Zeus 14, 15, 31,44, unicorn 28 wheel 21, 103, 104, 1 I I Catherine Uroboros 108 ol S, flag of 35 115 19 law 22 of hie 22 yel! throne 88 thunder 37, 90 Chinese 30, 60, I Hindu 29 104 spinning 90 Nepalese willow 1 Zoroastrianism 57, 60, 67, 121 44, 50 17 pattern 82 window 94 wine 14, 15, 82 121 ^* swordfish 54 black 35 sky 37 N sword 60 candle 97 49, 50 51, 53, 55, 56 symbol, mathematical 72, 115, 117 18, 28, top hat 85 tracing board calendar 35 wreath 44, 93 wren 67 topaz 40 41 symbol, definition of 64 43 Versailles swing 96 Apollo 14 bird 72 stick Virgin tongue 72 110 tower 95 -and-crossbones snail toad 58 79 swastika 21 22 75, sycamore 44 Bastet skeleton 74 Sleipnir swan 65 amber 38 113 Sisyphus 39 skull 50 star-shaped 25 woodpecker 67 worm 57 1 violet 115 (astrology) 29 (planet) Tlaloc 28 sun 34-35 Terasu 27 Venus swallow 64 114 81, 101 Aphrodite see also 28 Tigris tile, sukkot 17 Ama seven deadly siren 23 62 113 tiger 23 105 Sumenans simurgh 31 sins, Stone, Philosopher's stupa 84 silver 110 stork 65, 67, 71 sign, definition of Sikhs, 100 Symbols Svipdag 38 108 Siddhartha 22, 23 silk & Signs 'VBHt? 19 witch 60, 78 doctor 70 woli 34 *^S%S*S%S%^S%S%*%*%**s%s*S%s%S%^S%s%S%**S%S%s*S\S%S%*%S%S%S%^S\?^ I 26 Further Reapi ng Further Reading Ayo, Yvonne Guerber, H.A The Myths Africa, Eyewitness Guides, Dover, Knopf, L995 Baquedano Elizabeth Acre Eyewitness Guides, & Gombrich, Hall James Subjects Richard Hall, - Becker Udo The Continuum Encyclopedia of in Wendy The & HUP, 1992 A Campbell, Joseph The Masks of God, vol Mythology; vol 4: Architecture of the Creative Dictionary of Symbols, Japan, Roman Mythology, Scripts, Dictionary of Symbols, Routledge, &Co 1993 & Clift Wallace, Symbols of Transformation in Dreams, Crossroad NY Thames and Hudson J C & Mythological Animals, ThorsonsSF, 1992 De Pantheon Books, 1981 Alchemy, Thames and Hudson Fberard, Di< Inc., & Visions, 1988 Routledge Precious Stones, & Kegan & Mystery, DK 1992 1991 Philip The Art & Bah Java Southeast Asia oj Thames and Hudson Spirits, 1990 Inc., Brown, ittle 1995 Inc., the Cat, 1991 & James, A Dictionai & Hall, Chapman 1985 olors c H Holt, 1994 Hudson hristian ( Art, Thames and i 1995 Inc., t & Twining, Louisa, Symbols \u Emblems Gordon Early oj & 1980 Press Versluis, Arthur Native American Traditioi to qj Beliefs Bringers and ( Good oj olors, I uck \ t hai ( Gordon Press, 1991 1991 Press, and lopi did oj Spells, Talismans, African Mascot Booh An Villiers, Elizabeth The Encyt Bazaz Buddhism Facts On File, Wangu, Madhu Bazaz Hind On File, is 1991 \\ ernei N94 I Dover, \\ ernei Religions, Larousse, Kingfisher, Chambers Wangu, Madhu 1993 Dover Publications, 1971 Larousse Dictionary 1986 Inc Thames and Element, 1994 Mythology and Rehgum Element, 1993 tumary of Chinese 'ish edition, Paul & Symbol: A Selection of Kunz, George Frederick The Curious Ion Wolfram A Rawson Medieval Inc., Thames and 1985 Inc., Philip, Sacred Tibet, Thomas, Nicholas, Oceanic 1964 Knappert, Jan, The Encyclopedia of Middle Eastern 1972 Hudson Myths, oj 1995 Philip, Art oj Tantra, Stuiley Margaret Symbols, Doubleday Myth and Legend, Aquarian McGraw- Rawson, Inc Thames and Hudson Knappert, Jan, Indian Mythology, Encyclopedia of 1973 Inc., Dreyfuss, Henry, Symbol Sourcebook, Publishing Saunders Nicholas The Cult of Mythology, Thorsons SF, 1991 Rola, Stanislas Klossowski, The Secret Art of Hill his Knappert Jan, Aquarian Guide Crossley-Holland, Kevin, The Norse Myths, Gods of the Vikings, and 1991 Publishing DK Theroux, Alexander The Primary King, Francis X., Mind, Magic Symbolic Philip, Neil, The Illustrated Book Hinduism and Us Symbols, Routledge, Man and Amity House 1992 Inc., I Valley, Kelsey, Morton, Symbols, Dreams Illustrated Encyclopedia of Traditional Symbols, Cooper, Ai to the Writings from C.G.Jung, Princeton University Press, C, An Guide Kathmadu Jung, Carl G., Psyche 1986 J A Abrams 1992 Inc., Nov Complete Astrology, Random Saunders Nicholas Animal Illustrated Encyclopedia, vols., Jung, Carl G., Oxford University Cambodia Vietnam, Thailand, Laos, Burma, of Ancient India Jean, Georges, Writing, the Story of Alphabets and Chiron 1994 Jean Visual Arts Kodansha, 1993 Chiron Dictionary of Greek and Cooper, An Parker, Derek Rawson, Shambhala Publications, 1994 ThorsonsSF, 1994 Clift, 994 Abrams, 1991 Hint, Michael Nepal, Mythology, Viking, 1959-68 A Weatherhill, 1995 I: Music to 1967 Hudson & Fleming, John, Huntingdon, Susan, The Art Primitive Mythology; vol 2: Oriental Mythology; Cirlot, J.E., Symbols An Odyssey into the Spirit Putnam Pub Group, 1994 of Africa, History, l House Value, 1990 Illustrated Dictionary of Publications, 1991 Mesopotamia, University of Texas Press, 1992 Chetwynd, Tom, Harper Eastern and Western Art, HarperCollins Honour, Hugh Symbols of Ancient Blurton Richard Hindu Art, vol Occidental Ait in Herder Symbol Dictionary, The, Chiron & Green Anthony Gods, Demons James, The World Story oj Painting, Publishing Inc., 1993 Black, Jeremy Symbols Hall, James, Sangoma: Symbols, Continuum, 1994 DK & then Meaning, i Companion )xford Press, and Row 1974 Hudson The World of Buddhism, Thames and Becket, Sister Concordia ( ThorsonsSF, 1992 Becheri Heinz 99 Nordon, Rudolph Symbols and } > Haeffner Mark, Dictionary of Alchemy Knopf 1993 Inc Rome, - of* * Myths and ( I na, I I ed Karel & The Indian Jyml \u i & Religion : : i' Farrant Sheila Symbols for Zodiac ThorsonsSF Ferguson, George, Signs Art Oxford Matnlmeal V 1W & Toronto Symbols : in Christian o) Signs & Publishing, 1993 ontana, David \1 read Mgmund Knopf, H mbols, Hie InterpretaH I Diversity of Egypt Williams, The Tempi ; I The Gods and Syml Thames and Hudson An ( ( ompai Viking i i" nese Symbolism A.S., Outlii Motl Witkower, Rudoll rhames and Hudson Religions The, Lion Yarwood, Doreen, In rh< • n Publishing >n File y^S%s%^l^S%^ and < fvilization 1977 Encyclopedia of World Random House turn* Inc SA, 1994 I Valui Zimmer, Heinri< h Myths and Symbols nguin 191 i Riverdale bols Morns Desmond i Gordon, Matthi Art, 19£ Lurkei Manfred Morgan Hal Symbols I & 1987 Press, undquist, |ohn in Life Heaven and Earth, Thames and Hudson 961 Foley, John, The Guinness Encyclopedia I Leith, James, Symbols Panthi Indian in i - '4o & Signs ^*-***»-"*-*-»^ Symbols »^»^^%^*^>»^»^^»^*^»^» », -'•< S / Heraldry Printed in Spain Swinton Family Crest Rvl BAy Symbol < Heraldic Shield Chinese Chess Pieces Double-Headed Fagle Imperial Figures in Courtly Power Struggles Scallop Shell Emblem of Venus Lips A Symbol Kiss of Love