Signs and Symbols - SemioticSigns.com

,E
TF{E COh{PH.ETE ENCYCLOPEDIA OF
SIGNS-SYMBOLS
ldentification and analysis of the visual vocabulary that formulates
our thoughts and dictates our reactions to the world around us
.; *.,::.ii
- .:..f..:_l_ o An interpretation of the
unconscious codes and
secret languages that
shape our most ancient
emotions
. Over 1600 visual
symbols, including
photographs, fine art
paintings and line
illustrations, with
a uthoritative in-depth
commentary, definitions
and explanations
M,A,RK O'CONNELL
AND R.AJE AIR.EY

THE COMPLETE ENCYCLOPEDIA OF'
SIGNSOSn{BOLS
ldentification and analysis of the visual vocabulary that formulates
our thoughts and dictates our reactions to the world around us
MARK O'CONNELL
AND RAJE AIREY
I.^"^.^
I ugntvtss

INTRODTJCTION
ABovE The ancient
Egyptian ankh is an early
manrleslalron ol tne
cross symbol.
The rvord 'slmbol" rs denved from the ancient
tireck srmballein. me.rnrng t() thro\r toBclher. lt5
figuratir-e use onglnated ln ihe custom o[
hre rkrnu .r.'l.r' t rhl,,r r.r mtrk the conclusron of a
coniracr or agreement. each party to the
1dya,hr., "..'"1,1
1.. ,-i. -n onc of rhe brokcn
ni...p< L' '1..' lllllt) J! J llllSJlrtE \Ut'r!(r".'6 rn inrrirhla
par' rhrr rs need(d to rchrcve completion or
wholeness. \\'hether consciouslv or
unconsclousl)'. the sr.mbol carnes lhe sense oI
i,)rninr rhinu< tns.rh.r r,) .rprrr a u hole sra:t"r
J"...,..b
th rn rh" irrm , rl rtc n2rl\ rq lh:d.< n[ mpnrno
"''*' ' " b
accrue to produce a complex idea.
.\ .ign. On thr ._,iher hand. mav bc undersioOo
.ls slrmcf hlng lhal stands Ior. .rr pornts to.
;omclhlng clsc tn I m\\re llrcrxl u ar .\ stgn exLsts
f Lr -ofl\
pv rnformJrion .rbout a speci[lc obJcct or
rdea. r.r'hrle a sr,:mbol tends to tngger a series of perceptrons, beLrefs
lnrl cmnilonai rcsponses For cxample. ds J si.{n. the r,vord rree'
means a parlicular type of plant that develops a permanent wood,v
structure \L1lh a trunk and branches. roots and Leaves. As a
svmbol. f he rrec mer. hrre mJnv mcJnlnBs. rt aJn represent
t'rurtfulness and the bount,v of nature, endurance and longevrtv or
the web oi lamrly reLatronshrps, as a Chnstran s,r.rnbol ri can refer
to the cross, and rn man,v traditions it represents rhe 'tree of hfe'
thar links Lhe er.'ery,day world w.ith the w.orld of splnt.
Nerther srgns nor s,,mbols have intnnsic meanrng. The same tree
can be descnbed b,v manl' ditferent rvords rn different languages.
rnJ irs meanrngs .is a sr.mbol rrc formed through human
intcructron urth rr. B(rth irgns and srmbtrls hrve bceome part oI
human social and culturaL identrtl.. changing and evolving as we
do. Thev are vehicLes tor rnformation and meantng, operatlng on
manl- different levels - the universal and particular. intellectual
and emotronal, spatral and temporal. spintual and matertal. Thev
are a \ ;a! of makrng sense oi expenence. lf we could not classifv
the rvorld using s1-rnboh codes ancl structures we q,ould be
ovcnvhclmed br senson Jat.r. \\e need r u'av of descnl'lng ilhar
happens to us in order to understand it.
.\s n'clI as bcing an esscnu:l part of human socrcl\. ;igns and
sl,mboLs appear rn narure. and mav reter to pre-consclous
informauon. as rn the case of smoke signifving a fire nearbr'. or
rrjck; .,tpnn,rst
''*'"-
rrr rl^e arr\rn,.>
-'b"rnnmrrrlr
,_nnrr..rrl .^.th '_-- 'L ' L
,rf : nrrricrrlr rrrmal Thrs book rs
r.....-'.....
....,. ilqns tnat nJve e consclous Jr
unconsclous meanrng for humans. but as w'e are roored in narure.
we will se. [i1at the re mar- be cleeper connecllons betw"een natural
phenomena and the sr,mbols that are meanrngful to us.
1r'L l -: '- ' - I
I v llltq :l3ll> "-L dllu >\ illuurr ,ls c,tn ien e r ,ts ar manq Lilaf' r or wr notnlcrs y
ln
crendar. or consensus. realrtv rhe ;rrnbols of ihe dream or spLnl
worlds can help us to nav-rgate the psvchospirltual terrarn of non-
, onqinsltq ra:) rlr' (rrn'i:tnd dre:lm ltgure. are undcrstood ro
gutde us or compensate for some part of our wholeness as yet
unljr cJ The srgnrficance uf such slmbols and srgns fundamenralll
r]cnrnrlc nn ,rrrr frepd.rm ' -'-- '- | ' ' L
*-r- '-'
-' _ _ *- rU
" tgSPUl tu LU LLL(tLi
The rbilitv to grve meanlng to srgns and s,vrnbols led to the
possibrhtv of communrcation and reflection, and has enabled
human beings to pass dor,r.n their hrstories, mythologies and
worldviervs b,u- means of storytelhng, art and the wntten word.
:runs :n,l srrh,,lc h:rra nleved r . nre rel nert in frrrthcrino nrrr ,..5 "",
sclentilic understanding of the u'orld and have helped us to
rlaVal,rn rncreasrnslr , .rmnlex teehnolosres rdr rncrnu Irnm the
rnvention of pnmitrve tools to computers and spacecraft. Rehgious
and sprnrual trrdrtLons harr use,-l sr mbolrsm io help on 'he
journev towards an understanding and experience oi the dinne
and tou'ards "nght linng" In ps,v-chology', approaches have been
darelcnrd.ht' ,r;a lmh,tlrSm lJ nurk lguards 1[s rlrunmort nf
mrnd. bodv and nature.
ABOUT THIS BOOK
This book explores the use and pow'er of srrnbols. whether thel
are exploited [or rndivrdua] or socrai well-being, or tow-ards
dinsrve or manipula[lve ends. lt rs drnded into three sectlons.
Part One provrdes an overr,ieu' o[ the uses, meaning and
clevelopment of signs and symbols as seen lrom a number of
different perspectives: histoncal, cross-cultural, sociologlcal and
ps\-chologrcal. Par. h,r'o l.roks at the applrcaLrons of s)mbois rn
many areas of lile. and rncludes chaprers on culture and
communication. abstract sl.rnbols. m,vth and the cosmos. plants
and anlmaLs, the human hfe cycle. and the earth Finall)'. Part
Three. the reference directory contains more than l,t-r00 signs and
slmboLs. each with its or.r'n ideograph and a bnef explanation of its
meaning and application.
it rs hoped thar the infbrmatron in this book w.rll sttmulate
reaclers rnteresl in this proiound and complex sub.1ect. promprlng
them to look be1'ond the superficial meaning of everydav ob1ecrs
and ideas to arrive at a greater understanding of rhe wa1's in rvhich
so much of dariy life, and the rvav lve communrcate with each
other, ls informed bv the richness of srgns and slmbols.

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Aorrxnanene Most
,u
"-r
'.=i important of the
'.
Ghanaian adinkra
symbols, signifying
ti
ll
ll
&
H-:i
fr
:
{
F6.
AThe f irst letter of
the alphabet, used to
signify the best, first.
VV\/\ /
vvv\rv
vvv\ /
Acrrve TNTELLECT
Unknown origin, also
one of the signs for
water.
the importance of
playing a leading role.
ad.inkra
+j:K
Aoort Hebrew word
meaning a lord who is
not God.
Aenopuane Spiritual
aspiration, and the
transcendence of
human Iimitations.
ArnThe element.
Kabbalistic sign.
AtnThe element. Old
chemistry symbol.
Axoeer Ghanaian
symbol
meaning vigilance and
wariness. The
akoben is a horn used
to sound a baitle cry.
Axoxornu "Leg of
the hen", Ghanaian
adinkra symbol
meaning mercy,
nurturing. lnspired by
the hen's habit of
treading on her chicks
without hurting them,
being a protective but
also corrective parent,
Axorul rroso
Ghanaian adinkra
symbol meaning
understanding and
agreement.
Alcxenv, the art of.
The sun sign is at the
centre, surrounded by
the four elemental
triangles, crowned
with the Christian
cross, and then
placed in a circle
representing the
eternal or spiritual
dimension.
Alcxemv, the art of,
variation. Used in the
17th century, this sign
was created under the
influence of
Pythagorean
geometry mysticism.
Alcueuv, the ari of,
variation.This symbol
is also engraved on
rock faces dating
from 1000 gc in Uxmal,
Central America,The
symbol was adopted
by Rudolf Steiner and
is associated with
Steiner's
anthroposophy.
&Alconol
Alchemistic sign.
v
Alcoxol Early
chemical sign.
ALeMerc Alchemistic
sign for distillation
f lask or still. Also
used in early
chemistry.
AleolThe f ixed star,
used in some
Kabbalistic mysticist
contexts on magical
amulet seals.
AleoaeeThe f ixed
star, used in
Kabbalistic magical
amulet seals.
Alttra Typographical
sign used in printed
texts, meaning the
beginning of a new
train of thought.
Alpnecca The f ixed
l_ L_
star, used as a
Kabbalistic magical
amulet seal.
Ar-r- rs well Ground
to air emergency
code.
aAr-ruoro An
important symbol with
pagan and Chrisiian
roots associated with
purity and virgin birth.
Its juice was
associated with
semen in the ancient
world. Biblical
tradition says that
Aaron's priestly
status was shown by
his rod blossoming
and producing
almonds. Western art
often shows Mary and
Jesus enclosed in an
almond-shaped
au reo I e.
Alpxn The f irst letter
of the Greek
alphabet, associated
with beginnings.
Linked with God,
who is said to be the
alpha and omega -
the beginning and
the end. Also once a
secret sign of the
Christian faith.
Ar-uwt Alchemistic
sign.
Aulleam
Alchemistic sign,
ffiffitr &nM

Amllgemlttot
Alchemistic sign.
traditions, heavenly
creatures in Jewish,
Christian and lslamic
traditions, thoughto
be evolved from
Semitic and Egyptian
winged deities. Seen
as messengers,
warriors, guardians or
protectors.
Arr Hard work,
organized community.
The anthill is a
symbol of industrious
life in Tibetan
Buddhism; in parts of
Af rica it is associated
with f ertility and
creativity.
Arrr-ctocxwrsr
setnal Dynamic
symbol of lile force,
cosmic and earthly.
Aennoolrr Sign of
the goddess,
88
Apnrcor In China,
the apricot is a symbol
for a beautiful woman;
the Japanese plum
(ume) is sometimes
called an apricot.
ff
G
j
&
#
Ampenslto
Typographical sign
meaning "and".
ArrmllraThe animal
kingdom, lSth century.
ArtanesThe fixed
star, Kabbalistic
magical amulet seal.
ArrruorY
Alchemistic, also
used in medicine.
AeolloThis symbol
of the god is based on
the shape of the lyre,
which was Apollo's
instrument.
Aeua neera
Alchemistic sign for
"king's water".
#
fl
Arlncxrsm Synonym
for the political
movement,
Arcxon In early
Christianity, a secret
sign for the cross;
hope, salvation. Also
a symbol of the sea; of
steadfastness and
safety; and of the self.
Arerl Symbol of
divine will in several
Arxn A cross topped
with a loop; ancient
Egyptian symbol of
immortal life. Later
adopted as a
Christian symbol by
the Egyptian Coptic
Church.
\
AnsunRune
for A
Anrerope In Africa
associated with the
moon and fecundity;
for the Bambara
(Mali) the animal was
sent by the creator
god to teach humans
agriculture.
Arrr tuclean
CAMPAIGNThE
emblem of the
Campaign for Nuclear
Disarmament, made
up of the semaphore
signs for the letters
"N" and "D".
Atrtvrl In Polynesia
and parts oiAfrica,
associated with the
f emale principle and
fertility; in Scottish
folklore, linked with
magical powers of the
blacksmith.
Aee Respected in
ancient Egypt, Africa,
India and China, but
distrusted in the
Christian tradition,
where it is a symbol of
vice and lust.
Aeelr Symbol of
bliss, especially
sexual; emblem of
love, marriage, spring,
youth, fertility and
immortality. Linked
with the forbidden
fruit of the Garden of
Eden and so a
Christian symbol of
temptation and
original sin.
o
o
Appnoxruarew
EQUAL TO
Mathematical sign.
Aeua neera
Alchemistic sign for
king's water, variation.
.
.
'
'
'/
.t/
Aeuanrus Zodiac
srgn.
Aarrxnon Planet,
mystical Kabbalistic
sign for the first
Olympic spirit
ff
ff
ff
ff
f, g

Ancx Triumph and
victory; grand human
ach ievements.
AncrunusThe fixed
star, Kabbalistic
magic amulet seal.
Antes Zodiac sign,
Aax or rxe
Coverlnr One of
the symbols of the
Jewishfaith,achest
that was God's pledge
of divine protection.
The ark was kept in
another symbol of
Judaism, the
Tabernacle.
Hindu gods symbolize
their complexity and
power. An upraised
arm can suggest
either a threat or a
blessing.The arm also
has protective
connotations.
Anuoun ln medieval
Europe, armour
symbolized the
knightly virtues of
courage, protection,
honour and strength;
symbol of warrior
class in China and
Japan.
ARnow, wAvY Sea
currenIS.
D-+
Annow, wEAPoN In
lslam stands for the
wrath of Allah, in
Christianity ior
martyrdom and death.
Bundled or broken in
Native American
symbolism, arrows
stand for peace.
Ansrntc Alchemistic
sign.
Anserrc Alchemistic
sign, variation.
AssThe god, later
oss, rune for rapids or
waterf all.
Ass See Donkey
Arom, less common
variation than above.
Auot Corporate
emblem of the car
manufacturers,
symbol of unity and
togetherness.
Anes Sign of the god.
Anrs Sign of the god,
variation.
TE.
^-.
Anx on BoAT A
symbol of salvation
and preservation
found in the
mythology of peoples
all around the world.
In Christianity the ark
stands {or the Church,
for Mary or for Christ;
in secular symbolism
it is a symbol of the
Earth adrift in space.
Anm Symbol of power
and strength; the
many arms given to
+
Annow As
directional sign.
>
Annow/ennow Heno
Penetration - by light,
death, love or
perception. Linked to
sun symbols and the
piercing darts of love.
Annow, CURVED
Ancient sign found in
prehistoricave art in
Western EuroPe.
Anssrtc Alchemistic
sign, variation.
o
3
Ansenrc Alchemistic
sign, variation.
Asrrarsx
Typographical sign for
footnote.
Arom Also uranium,
nucleareactor (on
maps), nuclear
research, nuclear
physics.
AunocnThe rune Ur,
sign for auroch.
Auruur Old
Germanic time sign.
A
V
Aurumn Old
Germanic time sign,
vari ation.

Axe Almost universal
symbol of decisive
power and authority.
Associated with the
creative force of the
thunderbolt. Linked
with ancient sun and
storm gods. Used to
invoke thunder and
rain in West Af rica;
symbol of the union of
f amilies in Chinese
marriage.
Baoeen Linked with
playf ulness in China;
in Celtic tradition
with slyness, deceit.
Bnll Symbol of
childhood games; in
China, associated
with the sun and the
yinlyang symbol.
Brmeoo Chinese
symbol of resilience,
longevity, happiness
and spiritual truth;
Japanese symbol ol
truth and devotion.
Barana Freudian
phallic symbol.
Basttsx A medieval
symbol of lust and
disease.
Bnsxer Womb
symbol; in the
Americas, stories
about baskets and
basket-making are
related to women,
9z
Brrn Emblem
Bess cr-er Music
notation.
Bnr Associated with
death, symbol of fear
and superstition,
linked with witchcraft
and the occult in
Western folklore. In
Africa and ancient
Greece it was a
symbol of perspicuity.
Can signify madness.
Underworldivinity in
Central American and
Brazilian mythology.
Barx Associated
with bathing and thus
with purif ication, both
spiritual and physical.
3
Berls Symbol of
fecundity, used as
love charms in India
and -to ward off evil
spirits in Japan.
of
masculine courage
and primeval force;
while she-bears
symbolize care and
warmth - although
Jung linked them with
dangerous aspects of
the unconscious, In
Christian and lslamic
traditions the bear is
cruel and lustful.
BEARD lmportant
aspect of male
symbolism,
representing dignity,
sovereignty, virility
and wisdom. Sign of a
king; in ancient Egypt
beardless rulers,
including womenr
were depicted with
false beards to
proclaim their status.
^d
-,
-
-
Ber/erexrve Society,
industry and working
together; honeybees
are also linked with
romantic love in
European, Chinese
and Hindu traditions.
Bees are linked with
death and the
otherworld in
Eurooean folklore.
Btt-lThe voice that
proclaims the truth,
especially in
Buddhist, Hindu,
lslamic and Christian
traditions. In China it '
symbolizes obedience
and cosmic harmony.
Small tinkling bells
can represenl
happiness and sexual
pleasure. Worn on
Hebrew dresses as a
sign of virginity.
Linked with the
feminine principle,
also protective. Marks
the passing of time
and proclaims good
news, warns of danger
and tolls for death.
\#
Bgtt on etnote
Female chastity,
marital fidelity or
seductiveness. Magic
girdles appear in myth
as emblems of
strength and became
a symbol of honour in
England. The rope
girdles of monks
allude to the
scourging of Christ.
The Hindu girdle is an
emblem of the cycles
of time.
Beonc Rune for B.
BerxonThe planet;
mystical Kabbalistic
sign for the second
Olympic spirit.
Btonnzeno Warning,
USA.
Brncx Benef icial,
protective, sacred to
Germanic gods.
Cosmic tree of
Central Asia. In
shamanic rites it
symbolized human
ascento the spirit
woflo.
Btnos Symbol of the
human soul,
representing
goodness and joy,
standing for wisdom,
intelligence and the
swift power of
thought. Aboriginal
stories suggesi they
bear information. ln
Western art birds can
symbolize air and
touch.
Btnrx cglnr
Elizabethan England,
'17th century.

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T H E C M L E T E E N CYC L o
E
D
A
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SIGNS&WMBOLS
fdentification and analysis of the visual vocabulary that formulates
our thoughts and dictates our reactions to the world around us
A fascinating guide to hundreds of symbols, signs and ideographs, illustrated
with photographs, artworks, diagrams and drawings, and presented with
authoritative text, commentary and definitions
aJ
Lavish illustration reflects how signs and symbols have been interpreted and
represented through thousands of years of aft, mythology and religion, from
the Babvlonians and Sumerians to the modern world
An erudite, accessible text."pt"i.rr, decodes and categ orizesthe signs,
including in-depth analysis of some of the most important symbols of all, such
as the wheel, the cross, the gateway, the rainbour, the dragon and the sun
Contains a directory of over 1000 i[rrrtr"tions of iconographic symbols, in
addition to hundreds of colour images featuring these primal metaphors
ISBN-1 3: 978-1 -84477-668-9
ISBN-1 0: 1 -821477-668-9
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