‘Maori Symbolism’ is a story of a great race as told in their own Sacred Legends. And it is even more than this. It is an accurate record of the inner meaning of Life Symbolism on which the civilization of the Dark-Whites all over the world is founded. That symbolism stands for Cultivation – of the race, of the body and of the land. The numerous illustrations are to be regarded as documents supporting the evidence reported in the text. Some of this is of startling interest, as for insurance that concerning the casting of ancient statues and megaliths from molten lava. The Sacred Legends concerning the origin and migration of the New Zealand Maori are reported at some length, and the evidence given throws fresh light on the important ‘Diffusion’ controversy. Maori land cultivation is shown to have been far in advance of European. Maori cultivation of the body, expressed in native dances, is demonstrated to be an ordered system of physical education, designed to improve and preserve the fittest. Maori race culture is exhibited as based on a lofty code of social and sexual ethics. Maori religion and philosophy, as expressed in symbolic decoration and writing, are for the first time truthfully explained and interpreted.

This is a new release of the original 1926 edition.

This is a new release of the original 1926 edition.

This book first published in 1973 offers a broad survey of the study of symbolic ideas and behaviour. The study of symbolism is popular nowadays and anthropologists have made substantial contributions to it. Raymond Firth has long been internationally known for his field research in the Solomons and Malaysia, and for his theoretical work on kinship, economics and religion. Here from a new angle, he has produced a broad survey of the study of symbolic ideas and behaviour. Professor Firth examines definitions of symbol. He traces the history of scientific inquiry into the symbolism of religious cults, mythology and dreams back into the eighteenth century. He compares some modern approaches to symbolism in art, literature and philosophy with those in social anthropology. He then cites examples in anthropological treatment of symbolic material from cultures of varying sophistication. Finally he offers dispassionate analyses of symbols used in contemporary Western situations - from hair-styles to the use and abuse of national flags; from cults of Black Jesus to the Eucharistic rite. In all this Professor Firth combines social and political topicality with a scholarly and provocative theoretical inquiry.