Dictionary of Symbolism - by Hans Biedermann (Paperback)

About the Book

A rose, a cross, a heart, and hundreds of other common items hold great symbolic value--their meanings as varied as they are powerful. This encyclopedic work explores the rich and diverse meanings of more than 2,000 symbols, delving into the power of symbols in the past and present worlds of mythology, fairy tales, religion, literature, history, and archaeology. Over 600 illustrations.

Book Synopsis

This encyclopedic guide explores the rich and varied meanings of more than 2,000 symbols--from amethyst to Zodiac.

About the Author

Hans Biedermann (1930-1990) was born in Vienna, where he studied natural sciences and philosophy. Biedermann was a professor at the University of Graz in Austria. He was the author of Dictionary of Symbolism: Cultural Icons and the Meanings Behind Them, which Library Journal noted as being "valuable for its elucidation of both the esoteric and commonplace."

James Hulbert is a translator of German to English texts. His specialties include linguistics, philosophy, and social science. He earned a PhD in comparative literature from Yale University. He has published translations including Hans Biedermann's Dictionary of Symbolism, Wolfgang Lindig's Navajo: Tradition and Change in the Southwest, and Jacques Derrida's Parages.