Books to Read: Symbolism

“The true University of these days is a Collection of Books.”
— Thomas Carlyle (1795-1881), The Hero as a Man of Letters

Symbolism Books: understanding the images we meet in life...
	*J. C. Cooper, An Illustrated Encyclopaedia of Traditional Symbols* (1987), Thames & Hudson, ISBN: 0500271259**— Familiarity with symbolism opens up vistas of understanding that makes our life more meaningful. Why is a horseshoe lucky and a black cat unlucky? Why is the bat a good omen in China but bad in the West? In nearly 1500 entries with 210 striking illustrations, Cooper has documented the history and evolution of symbols from pre-history to our own day. Lively, informative and often ironic, she discusses and explains an enormous variety of symbols extending from the Arctic to Dahomey and from the Iroquois to Oceania. She covers traditions as diverse as Buddhism, Christianity, Islam, Judaism, Tantra, Taoism, the cult of Cybele and the Great Goddess, Pre-Columbian religions, and the Voodo cults of Brazil and West Africa. This is a great reference work that you'll consult again and again for fresh insights and illumination. I recommend this book highly with !
	*David Fontana, The Secret Language of Symbols: A Visual Key to Symbols and Their Meanings* (1994), Chronicle Books, ISBN: 0811804623**— Symbols appear in every part of our lives— in our dreams and unconscious minds, in our art and literature, and in our encounters with the human and natural worlds. They move and inspire us and speak to us in a universal language as rich and complex as the symbols themselves. From the I Ching and the Chakras to the Tarot and the Zodiac, this highly readable, and vividily illustrated encyclopedic volume traces the origins and evolution of hundreds of symbols that have impacted human culture, history, art, and psychology since the dawn of time. Fontana draws upon his knowledge of psychology, spirituality, anthropology, and history, as well as his practical experience with dream workshops and symbols used in meditation to reveal how an understanding of the profound messages conveyed by symbols can creatively enhance our journeys of self discovery. 450 full-color illustrations. Avg. Review (1):
	Harold Bayley, The Lost Language of Symbolism: An Inquiry into the Origin of Certain Letters, Words, Names, Fairy-Tales, Folklore, and Mythologies (reprint 1988), Volume 1, Citadel Press, ISBN: 0806511001— Bayley was an early 20th century Scottish scholar of language and symbolism. First published in 1912, the author unravels emblem trademarks and paper watermarks of the Middle Ages. He suggests that these emblems were not only trade signs, but were also hieroglyphics— thought-fossils or thought-crystals that revealed the mystical tenets of forbidden sects, or secret meanings behind some of our most basic legends. You'll find lots of philosophic insights in the many line drawings and copious footnotes as the author delves into the ancient wisdom traditions. Chapters include Pilgrim's Parable, Ways of Ascent, Millennium, Good Spirit, Lord's Hosts, King Solomon, Fair Shulamite, Cinderella, Star of the Sea, One- Two- Three-Eyes, Eye of the Universe, President of the Mountains. You'll feel spiritually enriched after reading this book. Avg. Review (1): Harold Bayley, The Lost Language of Symbolism: An Inquiry into the Origin of Certain Letters, Words, Names, Fairy-Tales, Folklore, and Mythologies(reprint 1990), Volume 2, Citadel Press, ISBN: 080651163X