‘Traditional symbols form a visual shorthand for ideas … For thousands of years they have enabled sculptors, painters and craftsmen to embody and reinforce deep thoughts and beliefs about human life in single, immediate and powerful images.’

This accessible and comprehensive dictionary traces the meanings of more than 1,000 symbols across many cultures.

Its fully cross-referenced A–Z entries cover traditional symbols such as animals, plants, gemstones, objects, elements and graphic shapes that have become primal metaphors for human concepts and qualities. There is also a helpful index covering historical and mythological figures and other symbolic references.