Symbols and Their Meanings

Book excerpt: How did a symbol such as the cross, which today is so commonly associated with Christianity, come to appear in the pre-Columbian art of Central America? Why does the crow stand for death, evil and bad luck in Europe - but signify a creative and civilising force in Native American culture? Every traditional symbol bears an elemental power that transcends boundaries and holds significance for many cultures. But the ways in which we interpret such power have varied tremendously around the world and through the ages. In Symbols and their Meanings, author and art historian Jack Tresidder explores core symbols from across global cultures, through themes common to the world's spiritual imagination. Thought-provoking and visually stunning, Symbols and their Meanings offers a uniquely accessible compendium of symbols and symbol systems, and shows how the profound messages conveyed by symbols have enriched the world's cultural and spiritual heritage.