Author : Ad de Vries
Release : 2004
Genre : Reference
Kind :
Book Rating : 458/5 ( reviews)

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Elsevier's Dictionary of Symbols and Imagery - read free eBook in online reader or directly download on the web page. Select files or add your book in reader. Download and read online ebook Elsevier's Dictionary of Symbols and Imagery write by Ad de Vries. This book was released on 2004. Elsevier's Dictionary of Symbols and Imagery available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. This dictionary supplies associations which have been evoked by plants, animals, gems, objects and concepts throughout the history of Western civilization, from the hieroglyphs of ancient Egypt to the poetry of Dylan Thomas. It supplies background information from fields which may not be everyone's specialty, such as biology and mythology. It gives not one, but several meanings which may apply simultaneously, since indefiniteness is the mark of symbols. No fine distinction is made between symbols, allegories, metaphors, signs, types or images, since such subtle distinctions, however sensible from a scientific point of view, are useless to a person struggling with the deeper comprehension, and thus appreciation, of a particular 'symbol'.Important general entries are listed such as archetypes, ass, binary, bull, calendar, eagle, elements, Great Goddess, Sacred King, sun, etc., which it is advisable to read first. Information was gathered from primary sources: both famous and obscure classical authors; the Bible; the medieval scholar and musician Hildegard von Bingen; but also Donne, Shakespeare and Eliot. Lists of primary and secondary literature are included. From the many notes left behind by the late Ad de Vries, his son has gathered enough new material to enlarge the original 1974 edition more than 20%. Included are many new entries taken from herbals and lapidaries as well as ancient books on medicine, architecture and dreams.This dictionary is an invaluable source of reference for students of many disciplines, as well as for writers and artists.