Signs and symbols are integral to the world in which we live: from letters and words on a page to the constellations in the night sky; from the image of a god to the secret gargoyles on a cathedral roof; from the meaningful winking of an eye to an elabor

This informative and engaging illustrated reference provides the stories behind 1,001 signs and symbols, from ancient hieroglyphs to modern-day political and subculture symbols. What in the world does Ω mean? And what about its meaning might have led my coffee date to tattoo it on his entire forearm? Where did the symbol ∞ originate, and what was its first meaning? How did the ampersand symbol & come about and how was it applied daily in book publishing? And what is the full story behind that staring eye on top of the pyramid on our American dollar bill? This comprehensive guide to signs and symbols explains. Find within: More than 1,000 illustrations An extensive collection of written and cultural symbols, including animals, instruments, stones, shapes, numbers, colors, plants, food, parts of the body, religious and astrological symbols, emojis, and gestures Historical facts culled from a wide variety of sources Learn all about the signs and symbols that surround us and their part in our rich world history.

Discusses the elements of a sign, and looks at pictograms, alphabets, calligraphy, monograms, text type, numerical signs, symbols, and trademarks.

Contains definitions and interpretations of over 1,600 signs and symbols and discusses the cross-cultural, sociological, and psychological uses, meaning, and development of signs and symbols as a whole.

An interpretation of the unconscious codes and secret languages that shape our most ancient emotions are illustrated in over 1600 visual symbols, including photographs, firne art paintings and line illustrations, with authoritative in-depth commentary definitions and explanations.