TF{E COh{PH.ETE ENCYCLOPEDIA OF

SIGNS-SYMBOLSldent i f icat ion and analysis of the v isual vocabulary that formulatesour thoughts and dictates our react ions to the wor ld around us

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o An interpretat ion of theunconscious codes andsecret languages thatshape our most ancientemot ions

. Over 1600 visualsymbols, includingphotographs, f ine artpaint ings and l inei l lustrat ions, wi tha uthor i tat ive in-depthcommentary, def in i t ionsand explanat ions

M,A,RK O'CONNELLAND R.AJE AIR.EY

THE COMPLETE ENCYCLOPEDIA OF'

SIGNSOSn{BOLSldent i f icat ion and analysis of the visual vocabulary that formulatesour thoughts and dictates our react ions to the wor ld around us

MARK O'CONNELLAND RAJE AIREY

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ABovE The ancient . \ . ign. On thr ._, iher hand. mav bc undersioOoEgypt ian ankh is an ear ly

. ls s l rmcf hlng lhal stands Ior. . r r pornts to.manrleslalron ol tnecross symbol. ;omclhlng clsc tn I m\\re l l rcrx l u ar . \ stgn exLsts

f Lr -of l \ pv rnformJrion .rbout a speci[ lc obJcct or

rdea. r.r'hrle a sr,:mbol tends to tngger a series of perceptrons, beLrefs

lnr l cmni lonai rcsponses For cxample. ds J s i . {n. the r ,vord rree'

means a parlicular type of plant that develops a permanent wood,v

structure \L1lh a trunk and branches. roots and Leaves. As a

svmbol. f he rrec mer. hrre mJnv mcJnlnBs. r t aJn represent

t'rurtfulness and the bount,v of nature, endurance and longevrtv or

the web oi lamrly reLatronshrps, as a Chnstran s,r.rnbol ri can refer

to the cross, and rn man,v tradit ions i t represents rhe ' tree of hfe'

thar links Lhe er.'ery,day world w.ith the w.orld of splnt.

Nerther srgns nor s,,mbols have intnnsic meanrng. The same tree

can be descnbed b,v manl' ditferent rvords rn different languages.

rnJ irs meanrngs . is a sr.mbol rrc formed through human

intcructron urth rr . B(r th i rgns and srmbtr ls hrve bceome part oI

human social and culturaL identrtl.. changing and evolving as we

do. Thev are vehicLes tor rnformation and meantng, operatlng on

manl- different levels - the universal and particular. intellectual

and emotronal, spatral and temporal. spintual and matertal. Thev

are a \ ;a! of makrng sense oi expenence. lf we could not classifv

the rvorld using s1-rnbohc codes ancl structures we q,ould be

ovcnvhclmed br senson Jat.r. \ \e need r u'av of descnl ' lng i lhar

happens to us in order to understand i t .

. \s n 'c l I as bcing an esscnu: l part of human socrcl \ . ; igns and

sl,mboLs appear rn narure. and mav reter to pre-consclous

informauon. as rn the case of smoke signifving a fire nearbr'. or

r r jck; . , tpnn,rst r r r r l^e arr \ rn, .> , r f : nrrr icrr l r r r rmal Thrs book rs' ' * ' " - - 'b"r-nnmrrr l r ,_nnrr . . r r l .^ . th '_-- 'L ' Lr . . . . . - ' . . . . . . . . . , . i lqns tnat nJve e consclous Jr

unconsclous meanrng for humans. but as w'e are roored in narure.

we will se. [i1at the re mar- be cleeper connecllons betw"een natural

phenomena and the sr,mbols that are meanrngful to us.1r 'L l - : ' - ' - I " -L , ls c, tn ien e , ts manq or notnlcrs lnI v l l l tq : l3 l l> dl lu >\ i l luurr r ar L i laf ' r wr y

crendar. or consensus. realr tv rhe ;r rnbols of ihe dream or spLnl

worlds can help us to nav-rgate the psvchospirltual terrarn of non-

, onqinsl tq ra:) r l r ' ( r rn ' i : tnd dre: lm l tgure. are undcrstood ro

gutde us or compensate for some part of our wholeness as yet

unl j r cJ The srgnrf icance uf such slmbols and srgns fundamenral l l

r ]cnrnr lc nn ,r r r r f repd.rm ' - ' - - ' - | ' ' L ' - '* - r - - ' _ _ *- " rU tgSPUl tu LU LLL(tLi

The rbilitv to grve meanlng to srgns and s,vrnbols led to the

possibrhtv of communrcation and ref lect ion, and has enabled

human beings to pass dor,r.n their hrstories, mythologies and

worldviervs b,u- means of storytelhng, art and the wntten word.

: runs :n, l srrh, , lc h:rra nleved r . nre rel nert in f r r r thcr ino nrrr, . .5 "" ,

sclentilic understanding of the u'orld and have helped us to

r laVal , rn rncreasrnslr , . rmnlex teehnolosres rdr rncrnu Irnm the

rnvention of pnmitrve tools to computers and spacecraft. Rehgious

and sprnrual t r rdr tLons harr use,- l sr mbolrsm io help on 'he

journev towards an understanding and experience oi the dinne

and tou'ards "nght linng" In ps,v-chology', approaches have been

darelcnrd.ht ' , r ;a lmh,t l rSm lJ nurk lguards 1[s r l runmort nf

mrnd. bodv and nature.

ABOUT THIS BOOKThis book explores the use and pow'er of srrnbols. whether thel

are exploited [or rndivrdua] or socrai well-being, or tow-ards

dinsrve or manipula[lve ends. lt rs drnded into three sectlons.

Part One provrdes an overr,ieu' o[ the uses, meaning and

clevelopment of signs and symbols as seen lrom a number of

different perspectives: histoncal, cross-cultural, sociologlcal and

ps\-chologrcal. Par. h,r 'o l .roks at the applrcaLrons of s)mbois rn

many areas of l i le. and rncludes chaprers on culture and

communication. abstract sl.rnbols. m,vth and the cosmos. plants

and anlmaLs, the human hfe cycle. and the earth Finall)'. Part

Three. the reference directory contains more than l,t-r00 signs and

slmboLs. each with its or.r'n ideograph and a bnef explanation of its

meaning and application.

it rs hoped thar the infbrmatron in this book w.rll sttmulate

reaclers rnteresl in th is proiound and complex sub.1ect. promprlng

them to look be1'ond the superficial meaning of everydav ob1ecrs

and ideas to arrive at a greater understanding of rhe wa1's in rvhich

so much of dariy life, and the rvav lve communrcate with each

other, ls informed bv the richness of srgns and slmbols.

INTRODTJCTIONThe rvord 'slmbol" rs denved from the ancient

t i reck srmbal le in. me.rnrng t() thro\r toBclher. l t5

figuratir-e use onglnated ln ihe custom o[

hre rkrnu .r . ' l . r ' t rh l , , r r . r mtrk the conclusron of a

coniracr or agreement. each party to the

1dya,hr. , " . . ' "1,1 1. . , - i . -n onc of rhe brokcn

ni. . .p< <.) rhr t t^ hcn lhru r .ennvcned the nrr ' ac

could be l i t ted together lrke a pgsaw' The pieces.

each of rvhich rdentrf led one of the peopLe

invcrh'ed. rvere knoun as symbola. so that a

<rmlrol n,r t , rn l t r , 'nrrqpnlq iomethins als. hrrr

'1. . ' h ' - r r ' . rmathrns rn inrr i rh laJI>L' l l l l l t ) J! J l l l lSJlr tE \Ut ' r ! ( r" . '6

par ' rhrr rs need(d to rchrcve complet ion or

wholeness. \ \ 'hether consciouslv or

unconsclousl)'. the sr.mbol carnes lhe sense oI

i , ) rn inr rh inu< tns.rh.r r , ) . rprrr a u hole sra: t"rJ". . . , . .b

th rn rh" i r rm , r l r tc n2r l \ rq lh:d.< n[ mp?nrno" ' ' * ' ' " b

accrue to produce a complex idea.

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AThe f irst letter ofthe alphabet, used tosignify the best, f i rst.

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Acrrve TNTELLECTUnknown or ig in, a lsoone of the s igns forwater.

Aorrxnanene Mostimportant of theGhanaian adinkrasymbols, signifyingthe importance ofplaying a leading role.

Aoort Hebrew wordmeaning a lord who isnot God.

Aenopuane Spir i tualaspirat ion, and thetranscendence ofhuman I imitat ions.

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ArnThe element.Kabbal ist ic s ign.

AtnThe element. Oldchemistry symbol.

Axoeer Ghanaianad.inkra symbolmeaning vigi lance andwariness. Theakoben is a horn usedto sound a bait le cry.

Axoxornu "Leg ofthe hen", Ghanaianadinkra symbolmeaning mercy,nurturing. lnspired bythe hen's habit oftreading on her chickswithout hurt ing them,being a protective butalso corrective parent,

Axorul rrosoGhanaian adinkrasymbol meaningunderstanding andagreement.

Alcxenv, the art of.The sun sign is at thecentre, surrounded bythe four elementaltr iangles, crownedwith the Chr ist iancross, and thenplaced in a c i rc lerepresenting theeternal or spir i tualdimension.

Alcxemv, the art of,variat ion. Used in the17th century, this signwas created under theinf luence ofPythagoreangeometry mysticism.

Alcueuv, the ari of,var iat ion.This symbolis also engraved onrock faces datingfrom 1000 gc in Uxmal,

Central America,Thesymbol was adoptedby Rudolf Steiner andis associated withSteiner 'santhroposophy.

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&AlconolAlchemist ic s ign.

Alcoxol Earlychemical s ign.

ALeMerc Alchemist icsign for dist i l lat ionf lask or st i l l . Alsoused in earlychemistry.

AleolThe f ixed star,used in someKabbalist ic mysticistcontexts on magicalamulet seals.

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AleoaeeThe f ixedstar, used inKabbalist ic magicalamulet seals.

Alttra Typographicalsign used in printedtexts, meaning thebeginning of a newtrain of thought.

l_ L_Ar-r- rs well Groundto air emergencycode.

important symbol withpagan and Chrisi ianroots associated withpurity and virgin birth.I ts juice wasassociated withsemen in the ancientworld. Bibl icaltradit ion says thatAaron's priest lystatus was shown byhis rod blossomingand producingalmonds. Western artoften shows Mary andJesus enclosed in analmond-shapedau reo I e.

aAr-ruoro An

Alpxn The f i rst let-ter of the Greekalphabet, associatedwith beginnings.Linked with God,who is said to be thealpha and omega -the beginning andthe end. Also once asecret sign of theChrist ian fa i th.

Alpnecca The f ixedstar, used as aKabbal ist ic magicalamulet seal .

Ar-uwt Alchemist icsign.

Aul leamAlchemist ic s ign,

AmllgemlttotAlchemist ic s ign.

AmpensltoTypographical signmeaning "and".

Ar lncxrsm Synonymfor the pol i t icalmovement,

Arcxon In earlyChrist ianity, a secretsign for the cross;hope, salvation. Alsoa symbol of the sea; ofsteadfastness andsafety; and of the self .

Arerl Symbol ofdiv ine wi l l in several

tradit ions, heavenlycreatures in Jewish,Christ ian and ls lamictradit ions, thought tobe evolved fromSemit ic and Egyptianwinged deit ies. Seenas messengers,warriors, guardians orprotectors.

Arrml l raThe animalkingdom, lSth century.

Arxn A cross toppedwith a loop; ancientEgyptian symbol ofimmortal l i fe. Lateradopted as aChrist ian symbol bythe Egyptian CopticChurch.

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Rune for AAnsun

Arr Hard work,organized community.The anthi l l is asymbol of industr iousl i fe in TibetanBuddhism; in parts ofAf r ica i t is associatedwith f ert i l i ty andcreativi ty.

ArtanesThe f ixedstar, Kabbalist icmagical amulet seal .

Anrerope In Afr icaassociated with themoon and fecundity;for the Bambara(Mal i ) the animal wassent by the creatorgod to teach humansagriculture.

Arrr tucleanCAMPAIGNThE

emblem of theCampaign for NuclearDisarmament, madeup of the semaphoresigns for the letters"N" and "D".

Arrr-ctocxwrsrsetnal Dynamicsymbol of l i le force,cosmic and earthly.

ArrruorYAlchemistic, alsoused in medicine.

Atrtvr l In Polynesiaand parts oiAfr ica,associated with thef emale pr inciple andfert i l i ty; in Scott ishfolklore, l inked withmagical powers of theblacksmith.

Aee Respected inancient Egypt, Africa,India and China, butdistrusted in theChrist ian tradit ion,where i t is a symbol ofvice and lust.

Aennoolrr Sign ofthe goddess,

88AeolloThis symbolof the god is based onthe shape of the lyre,which was Apollo'sinstrument.

Aeelr Symbol ofbl iss, especial lysexual; emblem oflove, marriage, spring,youth, fert i l i ty andimmortal i ty. Linkedwith the forbiddenfruit of the Garden ofEden and so aChrist ian symbol oftemptation andor ig inal s in.

oAppnoxruarewEQUAL TO

Mathematical sign.

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Apnrcor In China,the apricot is a symbolfor a beauti ful woman;the Japanese plum(ume) is sometimescalled an apricot.

Aeua neeraAlchemistic sign for"king's water".

Aeua neeraAlchemist ic s ign forking's water, variation.

Aeuanrus Zodiacsrgn.

Aarrxnon Planet,mystical Kabbalist icsign for the f irstOlympic spir i t

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Ancx Triumph andvictory; grand humanach ievements.

AncrunusThe fixedstar, Kabbalisticmagic amulet seal .

Anes Sign of the god.

Anrs Sign of the god,variat ion.

Antes Zodiac s ign,

Aax or rxeCoverlnr One ofthe symbols of theJewishfai th,achestthat was God's pledgeof divine protection.The ark was kept inanother symbol ofJudaism, theTabernacle.

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TE.Anx on BoAT Asymbol of salvationand preservationfound in themythology of peoplesal l around the world.In Chr ist iani ty the arkstands {or the Church,for Mary or for Christ;in secular symbol ismit is a symbol of theEarth adri f t in space.

Anm Symbol of powerand strength; themany arms given to

Hindu gods symbol izetheir complexi ty andpower. An upraisedarm can suggesteither a threat or ablessing.The arm alsohas protectiveconnotations.

Anuoun ln medievalEurope, armoursymbolized theknightly virtues ofcourage, protection,honour and strength;symbol of warriorc lass in China andJapan.

+Annow Asdirect ional s ign.

>Annow/ennow HenoPenetrat ion - by l ight,death, love orperception. Linked tosun symbols and thepiercing darts of love.

Annow, CURVEDAncient s ign found inprehistoric cave art inWestern EuroPe.

ARnow, wAvY SeacurrenIS.

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Annow, wEAPoN Inlslam stands for thewrath of Al lah, inChrist iani ty iormartyrdom and death.Bundled or broken inNat ive Americansymbolism, arrowsstand for peace.

Ansrntc Alchemist icsign.

Anssrtc Alchemist icsign, var iat ion.

Ansenrc Alchemist icsign, variat ion.

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Anserrc Alchemist icsign, var iat ion.

AssThe god, lateross, rune for rapids orwaterf al l .

Ass See Donkey

AsrrarsxTypographical sign forfootnote.

Arom Also uranium,nuclear reactor (onmaps), nuclearresearch, nuclearphysics.

Arom, less commonvariat ion than above.

Auot Corporateemblem of the carmanufacturers,symbol of unity andtogetherness.

AunocnThe rune Ur,sign for auroch.

Auruur OldGermanic t ime sign.

Aurumn OldGermanic t ime sign,var i at ion.

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Axe Almost universalsymbol of decisivepower and authority.Associated with thecreative force of thethunderbolt. Linkedwith ancient sun andstorm gods. Used toinvoke thunder andrain in West Af r ica;symbol of the union off ami l ies in Chinesemarriage.

Baoeen Linked withplayf u lness in China;in Cel t ic t radi t ionwith slyness, deceit.

Bnl l Symbol ofchi ldhood games; inChina, associatedwith the sun and theyinlyang symbol.

Brmeoo Chinesesymbol of resi l ience,longevity, happiness

and spir i tual t ruth;Japanese symbol oltruth and devotion.

Barana Freudianphal l ic symbol.

Basttsx A medievalsymbol of lust anddisease.

Bnsxer Wombsymbol; in theAmericas, storiesabout baskets andbasket-making arerelated to women,

9zBess cr-er Musicnotation.

Bnr Associated withdeath, symbol of fearand superst i t ion,l inked with witchcraftand the occul t inWestern folklore. InAfr ica and ancientGreece i t was asymbol of perspicuity.Can signify madness.Underworld div in i ty inCentral American andBrazi l ian mythology.

Barx Associatedwith bathing and thuswith puri f icat ion, bothspir i tual and physical.

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Berls Symbol offecundity, used aslove charms in Indiaand to ward off evilspir i ts in Japan.

Brrn Emblem ofmasculine courageand primeval force;while she-bearssymbolize care andwarmth - althoughJung l inked them withdangerous aspects ofthe unconscious, InChrist ian and ls lamictradit ions the bear iscruel and lustful.

BEARD lmportantaspect of malesymbol ism,representing dignity,sovereignty, vir i l i tyand wisdom. Sign of aking; in ancient Egyptbeardless rulers,including womenrwere depicted withfalse beards toproclaim their status.

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Ber/erexrve Society,industry and workingtogether; honeybeesare also l inked withromantic love inEuropean, Chineseand Hindu tradi t ions.Bees are l inked withdeath and theotherworld inEurooean folklore.

Btt- lThe voice thatproclaims the truth,especial ly inBuddhist , Hindu,ls lamic and Christ iantradi t ions. In China i t 'symbolizes obedienceand cosmic harmony.Smal l t inkl ing bel lscan represenlhappiness and sexualpleasure. Worn onHebrew dresses as asign of virginity.Linked with the

feminine pr inciple,also protective. Marksthe passing of t imeand proclaims goodnews, warns of dangerand tol ls for death.

\#Bgtt on etnoteFemale chasti ty,mari ta l f idel i ty orseductiveness. Magicgirdles appear in mythas emblems ofstrength and becamea symbol of honour inEngland. The ropegirdles of monksal lude to thescourging of Christ.The Hindu girdle is anemblem of the cyclesof t ime.

Beonc Rune for B.

BerxonThe planet;mystical Kabbalist icsign for the secondOlympic spir i t .

Btonnzeno Warning,USA.

Brncx Benef ic ia l ,protective, sacred toGermanic gods.Cosmic tree ofCentral Asia. Inshamanic r i tes i tsymbolized humanascent to the spir i twoflo.

Btnos Symbol of thehuman soul ,representinggoodness and joy,standing for wisdom,intel l igence and theswift power ofthought. Aboriginalstories suggesi theybear information. lnWestern art birds cansymbolize air andtouch.

Btnrx cglnrEl izabethan England,'17th century.

oADENETELMoCEHT E CYC L o

SIGNS&WMBOLSfdentif ication and analysis of the visual vocabulary that formulatesour thoughts and dictates our react ions to the wor ld around us

A fascinating guide to hundreds of symbols, signs and ideographs, illustrated

with photographs, artworks, diagrams and drawings, and presented with

authoritative text, commentary and definitionsaJ

Lavish illustration reflects how signs and symbols have been interpreted and

represented through thousands of years of aft, mythology and religion, from

the Babvlonians and Sumerians to the modern world

An erudite, accessible text."pt"i.rr, decodes and categ orizesthe signs,including in-depth analysis of some of the most important symbols of all, such

as the wheel, the cross, the gateway, the rainbour, the dragon and the sun

Contains a directory of over 1000 i[rrrtr"tions of iconographic symbols, in

addition to hundreds of colour images featuring these primal metaphors

ISBN-1 3: 978-1 -84477-668-9ISBN-1 0: 1 -821477-668-9

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