The illustrated book of signs and symbols 1000s of signs and symbols from around the world

The Illustrated Book of

o
Horseshoe

Centaur
uellect

vs.

Symbol of Good Luck

y

Instinct

Tortoise
Symbol of Long

TAROT

Life

^S

lard of Decision

Thousands of Signs
and Symbols from Around the World
Miranda Bruce-Mitford

CADUCEUS
Tiblem of Medicine

Freemasonry
Compass and Square


The Illustrated Book of

Symbols
The essential reference for decoding
signs and symbols
The world around us is filled with signs
and symbols. Those we have chosen to create,
such as alphabets and

flags, are universally

recognizable, but others, of uncertain and ancient
origin,

mean

Why,

different things to different peoples.

for example,

love, or a snake a

West and

a sign

a red rose the flower

is

symbol of

of wisdom

in

of

evil in the

China? Find the

answers to these questions and thousands of
others in this comprehensive and stimulating
visual guide

of signs and symbols. Specially

commissioned

illustrations

and photographs,

including artifacts, famous paintings, and
sculptures, provide a

much-needed

visual

key to this mysterious language.

The ultimate visual catalog
Showing thousands of

signs

symbols from East and West, The
Book ofSigns

and
Illustrated

& Symbols not only gives the

meanings of each, but also explores the symbols'
origins in art, religion, literature, psychology,
folklore.

and

For ease of reference the signs and

symbols are grouped by category, from flowers

and

religious

symbols to shapes and numbers, and

a clear cross-referencing system directs the reader

to related signs and symbols.
to

waders of

into

ir>n

all

ages, this

Designed to appeal

book

is

a rich source

of

and an indispensable reference book

for interpreting

and understanding signs and

symbols

Do
Azt

in

everyday

life.

eaded Serpent
Associated with
-ivingRain

re

$24.95

The

Illustrated

Book of

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The

Illustrated

Book of

Miranda Bruce-Mitford

ALLSTON BRANCH LIBRARY

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AL BR

REF
AZ108
B78
1996x

A DK PUBLISHING BOOK

Emma

Senior Editor

US Editor Camela
I

Foa

Decaire

Senior Art Editor Sarah Ponder

iJREDTODK

Shamrock

Managing Editor Anna Kruger
Managing Art Editor

Peter Bailey

Art Editors Joanna Pocock, Martin Wilson
Editor Shirin Pahi
Assistant Designer Ali Cobb

DTP

Designer Nicola Studdart

Picture Research Sharon Southren

Production Katy Holmes
Index

& Glossary

First

Joanna Lane

American Edition,

I

468 10^75
Published
b)

DK

m

the

I

I'M M1STR1

nited States

Publishing

in.

York 1001(1

Vk
it

us on the

Copyright

©

All rights reserved

Egyptun funerary stela

(detail)

Conventions.
in a retnc,

Wot Id Wide Web Imp //www

1996 Dorling Kinderslej

I

ilk

com

muted, London

under International and Pan American Copyright
ublication ma) be reproduced, stored
transmitted in any form 01 b) an) means,

No pan

electronic, mechanical, phot>

rding, or otherwise,
without the prior written permission of tl
pyright ownei
Published in Great Britain by Dorling Kindersle) imited.
I

A CIP
I

catalog record for this

bi

liable

from the Librar

Congress.

ISBN 0-7894-1000-1
Islamic

Colour reproduction by Colourscan, Singapore
Pnnted and bound in Spain by Artes Graficas Toledo, S.A.
1)1. TO 1192- 1999

Shiva,

1

1

>rd 01

mi dani

i


Contents
Introduction

Tools

6

Weapons

iSr

90

Mythologies

& Religions

& Mourning

Death

92

12

Architecture

Ancient Deities

94

H

l:\er\da\ Objects

Judaism

96

16
Christianity

Symbol Systems

18

Hinduism
20

Buddhism
22
Islam

24
Ancestor

& Nature Spirits

Sea Creatures

Picture Writing

Numbers

& Others

Insects

56
Reptiles & Amphibians
58

102

Shapes

60

Mythical Beasts

Birds

28

64

& Patterns
104

Color
106

Mammals

26

00

J

54

Alchemy
108

Freemason r\

Nature
Sun

32

& Moon

Sex

& Sk\

Divination

&

34
Earth

70

\\2

72

Heraldic Emblems
114

Dance

& Theater
76

Magic

& Charms

40

78

Gardens
42

Musical Instruments

Trees

^strolog)

Human Body

38
Precious Stones

no

Fertility

36
Precious Matter

109

People 68

International Signs

116

Symbolic Gestures
118

80
Love

&

Marriage

(

rloSSCU

44

82

120

Plants

Clothing

Index

4d

84

111

Natures Foods

Jewelr)

48

86

I

lowers

50

Royalt)

88

\

urthei Reading

I

117
\

(

bicw ledgments
IS
l


Signs

&

Symbols

Introduction
tO
A FUNDAMENTAL PART OF HUMAN" NATURE not Onlv
J
survive and reproduce, but also to seek explanations
for the mysteries of life. Because these mysteries are in

T

IS

nTTTBTTTTl SMTUGQ


|JX.

/

beyond explanation, we use the language of
i
symbolism to represent them. Whether we live in
commercialized societies or communities relatively
unchanged by time, we are surrounded by signs,
images, and ideas that are often highly symbolic.
Most of us are largely unaware of the meaning and significance - even
the presence - of much of this symbolism, and an area of great richness
is closed to us. This book sets out to examine the nature of symbolism
and to present, in
fact

simple terms, both
familiar

and

unfamiliar symbols.

Signs or symbols?
A sign is an object or
idea that represents or

points to something else
in a fairly straightforward
Alcfo

kowing

i

way.

the

and

the

An advertisement,

for

example, reminds us of the
product it is promoting; a

\rabia, the tuple sun.

m

road sign indicates
conditions ahead; and a gesture expresses a mood,

the

we

modem world

challenges our sense

ol identity

often adopt signs to define ourselves, for

example

by donning badges or brand-name clothing.
A symbol is clearly linked in function to a sign,
and the two words are often used interchangeably,
but symbol generally has a deeper meaning. A
symbol is something that through its nature or
appearance reflects or represents another thing more
profound than

itself.

A

the flames of the sun.

fire,

for instance,

which

itself

may symbolize

has qualities of

warmth, light, and creative power, and is thus
equated with life force and masculine creative
strength. The creator gods of mythology, who possess
these very qualities, are usually linked to the sun.

On

a small scale, objects

such as the candle or lamp can

be also related to the imager) of the sun A symbolic
-

image

is

thus linked to

many

interpretations.

Paul Dehaux's surreal painting seems to be a hymn to
the goddess within her temple. The moon, night
nine
sea, flowers, and statue-head are all
realm, and the lamp signifies the divine spark
i


[NTRODl

(

%*%«-<

SYMBOLS
Symbols grow in meaning and complexity over
A\(

II

\

I

changing according to their
cultural context. But the subjects that have

preoccupied mankind from the earliest times hawremained relatively constant: fertility, both of the soi
and oi the human race, birth, life, and death.
Like the sun. the symbol ol the moon has also
always been recognized as significant because of

hundreds

qualities

it

ol years,

possesses that relate in

some way

to

deeper truths. The moon controls the tidal waters
and passes through stages from new moon to lull
moon. It is thus symbolic of water, pregnane), and
the cycle of death

and

birth.

Women,

the dark, and things of the night

all

sea creatures,

belong

to the

hrist's sacrifice

sphere

the

ol

fo)

the laithlul

moon. The Temple, by Delvaux,

combines much of

moon

bears fruit of redemption

this lunar imagery,

down on

shining

with the

mysterious goddess
Animals, birds, and trees all have
a

lull

figure.

their individual associations, as
well.

A

tree

may

and growth,

for

the Tree ol Life

represent

life

example, and
is

a S)

mbol

the

world over. In the I6th-centunj
engraving above, Christ is seen
crucified on the Tree ol Life, and
his crucifixion can be viewed as
a s\

mbol

ol sac rifice.

The death

or sac rifice ol a god or king

common theme
ol

is

a

- the shedding

divine blood ensures the

well-being

LO<

Kl

1)

mankind

ol

l\

(

OMB

\l

two reatures used

widespread One form,
represenl opposing for
found almost universally, shows a hud ol pre) doing
[mages

'

ol

<

perhaps the most symbolic ol
the bird represents the sun and

battle wiih a serpent
all

creatures

i

[ere

the heavens while the serpent, whic h w rithes on the

nd mk\

m

the water symbolizes the earth

and


&

Signs

Symbols
-%s%s%sA

In

Henri Pierre Picou

s

Homage

to

Nature summei

i

lie

and

_

»

»

\

«/«»

s

di/-v theii />Ic'iimuc'->

life-giving waters.
fertility

ct(

the feel

<>/

die i^ulili-ss

The two together represent creation

and die precariously balanced forces of nature.

Universal symbols
The theme ol die Goddess, or Earth Mother, permeates

world mythology and dates back thousands of years. Clay
figurines depicting large-

breasted

women

in their

nurturing, procreative role have

been found dating from as early

20,000 he All human Life
sprang from this symbolic
mother figure and depended on
her. The earth itself is regarded
as feminine and nurturing
because it is fertilized by rain,
and life springs from its soil.
Perplexed by the random,
as

.

1

5th-century cherub with \kull

some cultures chose to personify

woman. She is sometimes shown

often cruel, nature of fate,

form of a
blindfolded to symbolize the arbitrary nature of her decisions.
Along with the randomness of life, the inevitability ol
death turns up in common symbolic images. These take
many forms, from paintings showing a cherub juxtaposed
with a human skull, to the more familiar image of sand
ebbing out of an hourglass - all stark reminders ol the fate
fate in the

1

*rtuna, pit*

thewhee!

I

hat

must

befall

us

all.

I

N

However, although certain images are recognized as
symbolic by main societies, the symbolism ol a particular
image may vary From place to place and over time. The
forest, for example, is symbolic of retreat and meditation to
many Indians, a place in which the soul may draw nearer
tc> Brahman, the one true totality However, in the West, the
forest tends to be a sinister place, harboring dangerous
animals and robbers, us shadows representing the dark
places of the unconscious.

C \h
The

l\

MYTHOLOGY AND

ITU

l\l

U.l\

\l

In

[ON

captured our imaginations from ancient
Egyptian times to the present day, although, like the

The Cat

thai

Walked

cat has

to

human)

symbolism has varied enormously. In farming
communities the cat has always been a working animal, used to kill rats and
mice, and there has been little mystique surrounding it: however something in
the cats nature and appearance has given it associations with the night, mystery,

forest, its

.Ailutu Egyptiai

Tiu

and aloofness. Black cats, now considered luck) in main places, were
once associated with witchcraft, and ^ats feature prominently in children's
stories. Both the c heshire cal horn Alice's Adventures m Wonderland and
Kipling's Cat thai Walked h\ Himselj emanate mockery and enigma
In ancient Egypt cats were worshiped and the cull o\ Bastel centered around a cat
goddess Images ol ^ats were revered, and domestic ^ats were mummified at death so
that, like people, they

I

In

III

could enter an

afterlife

SYMBOl ISM ol DR1 SMS

main

parts ol the world

dream images,

interpret

dream symbolism

is

Wise men
the gods, and people act on

treated with respect

often thought to be sent In

tin

West however dreams are nowadays thought to be relativel)
unimportant, and the urgings ol the unconscious mind go largel) ignored In most
he psyc hologist Sigmund reud studied the s\ mbolism ol dreams and found
people
interpretations

I

In the

I


Signs

much

of

it

fulfillment.

to

&

Symbols

be related to wish-

He

believed that dreams

our deepest desires, often
rooted in infancy, and thought many
had sexual or erotic overtones. His
reflected

pupil Carl Jung believed that the

symbolism went deeper than the
purely sexual to include a spiritual

dimension.

Jung was fascinated by the way

which ordinary objects or people

Goya's The Sleep of Reason Produces

Monsters shows how daytime fears
can produce night-time terrors

in

appear in strange, often distressing,
contexts in peoples dreams and sought
to understand why. Many images, he
believed, appear in our dreams as a
direct product of the individual
unconscious, which is a highly
personal

amalgam

of

memories and

In this Indian miniature, men grapple with a giant trapped
emotions buried deep within us. Often we are not conscious of
in a well, representing "the shadow," or base desires we try
these impulses and they can only surface in dreams. A hairbrush,
to bury m the unconscious.
for instance, might tngger memories of ones hair being brushed by
ones mother in childhood, so symbolizing a caring

mother; however another individual might have been

struck with a hairbrush in childhood, triggering very
different associations. In Magritte's painting The Restless
Sleeper, a figure

dreams about

mundane and
are all somehow

a series of

apparently unrelated objects, but they

linked meaningfully in his unconscious.

Universal subconscious
After analyzing the dreams of many

Jung
concluded that certain images appear as symbols
universally and are therefore part of what he called the
collective unconscious, built on the cultural experiences
and memories of our ancestors. Images of being
pursued by a huge monster, of yearning for safety, or of
patients,

dangers lurking in the dark, are very commonly
experienced in dreams in all parts of the world.

Jung termed these universal images "archetypes."
There is the "anima," or female principle, which can
manifest as the goddess, queen, princess, or witch; and
an "animus," or male principle, which could be a god,
king, prince, wizard, or demon character. These figures
symbolize for us our image of male and female and
could represent either an aspect of ourselves, a parent,
or a loved one.

Other archetypes include the shadow, embodiment of
feelings of guilt or fear, particularly about our hidden
and unacknowledged feelings or desires.

Modern symbolism
todays world, symbols retain their power to affect
us, although we are perhaps less aware of their effects
In

The images

in Magritte's Restless

Sleeper seem disconcertingly simple

10


INTRODI
%^%s%^%sm

than in the past.

Some

symbols have remained
constant for centuries,

some

have evolved new meanings,

and

yet others are entirely

new.

One dramatic symbol

have emerged during the
course of the twentieth
century is the mushrooming
cloud of the atomic bomb.
to

This surely

is

the ultimate

image of the great

shadow

V
"a giant leap for

mankind"

ot

destruction that

humankind has
brought upon itself by opening the
Pandoras box of knowledge.
A more positive image is the American
moon landing from 1969. Witnessed by
600 million people throughout the world.
it

film star

is

often literally largei than

life

has become the ultimate symbol of

mans indomitable

spirit

and urge

for conquest.

Today's gods, goddesses, and superheroes
*

Some modern
that

assume semi-godlike status similar to
of the ancient Greek heroes. Creations such as Superman are not
fictitious characters

thought of as real, yet they embody the
classic male archetype o( the powerful
and heroic force for good. In
righting the wrongs of the world,
such figures appeal to an innate

need

in all of us.

Also appealing to this need are
the pop, sports, and film stars

who,

some, have
supplanted the gods
for

Since the death

largely
ol old.

ol "the King

Elvis Presley, for example, his

home, Graceland, has become
a shrine and place ol pilgrimage
for millions ol

devoted

men

followers

Sports heroes, too attraci
a

huge following, espec

among men
identity -

<\\u\

I

he sense
passion -

iall)

ol

group

tru

any football stadium as hordes ol Luis
cheer their heroes on in moments ol shared admiration Similai
instinctual urges can be seen ai rock concerts \\ hen members ol the
audience strike matches, light lighters, and hold up candles to express
nspire

is

evident

at

their devotion to then idols

lit

I

he resultani sea

(lames harks back to the symbolism

aupl

cultures throughoui histoi

I

I

ol flickei h

ol fire in religions

and


~**4

Mythologies

&

Religions
Our
search to explain what

our understanding

many myths and

is

lies

beyond

expressed

religions that

in the

have

evolved over the centuries. This quest has
resulted in the

and faith
religions

that

and

Greece

is

complex web of myth, legend,
our inheritance - from nature

the almost

human gods

of ancient

to today's multiplicity of faiths.

f


&

Mythologies

Religions

Greek

Ancient Deities

second millennium bc, Aegean
around the cult of the
mother goddess, but later the center of
civilization moved to the mainland, where
the Greeks worshiped divinities who fought,
squabbled, and loved, just like humans.
In the

religion revolved

The classical religions of Europe and Egypt no longer exist as belief
systems, but their mythology survives. Like modern-day Hinduism, these
religions were centered around groups of gods who more or less controlled
the lives of humans - and much of human activity involved the worship
and placation of those gods. Many of these ancient gods live on in our
imagination, and their symbolism has been absorbed into our language,
our music, poetry, and art. It is hardly unusual to hear
songwriters pay tribute to Venus, symbol of feminine
beauty, or to Cupids arrow piercing a lovers heart.

Zeus's I

thunderbolt

symbol of

powet

his

Egyptian
Eg\puan gods developed from the merging
of two earlier cultures, one with gods in
human form, and one with animal-shaped

Zeus
Zeus was king of the gods and god of the skies.
His well-known amorous conquests reflect the
Greek conquest of many outlying regions, and
the absorption of their mother goddess cults

gods. Gradually a remarkable religion

evolved that centered around the cult of
the dead.

Apollo
.Apollo, twin brother ol

Ami n-re
The creator god,
Amun, was merged
with Re. the sun god,
to form Amun-Re.
Known as "the hidden
\mun-Re was

the power ol the
invisible wind and

Osiris
Originally a powerful

god, Osiris was
in the Nile
River. His body was
fertility

drowned
ISIS

AND HORLS
mother
queen, and

as the

goddess, a

the sister of Osins. She

shown here suckling

Thoth

dismembered and

Depicted variously as
an ibis-headed man

scattered over the Nile

and

a

her son, Horus. Her

animals sacred to
him), Thoth is lord of

crown

the

is

is

in the

form of

a throne, suggesting
that she

was

the throne of the

pharaohs.

rr

/*

jL'

^

O
£.-3.

lord of

and reckoner of

the years.

He

is

-* *
2
£ £ ^ -^ -» ****

/

r

the

* >

r*

underworld. He

'

depicted

*

* *

m I

* 'A

T

all

of the earth to ripen.

His arrows were the
sun's rays.

Athena

music.

The daughter of Zeus,
Athena was the

He was also
god of shepherds and

goddess of wisdom

and learning, but

things.

Even the other gods
were unable to

also of warfare (hence

her helmet). Often
depicted with an owl,
she was the patron of
Athens - her owl is the

penetrate his

mysterious nature.

emblem

often

of that city.

in a

mummylike

«

is

the soul of

posture.

*

*

*
Eros
Known

9S>

2SS

Sky Goddess, Ni

ensuring the

growth of crops, which
sprang from his flesh.
He was later restored
to life and became a
symbol of resurrection,
as well as the god of the

helper of the dead and
protector of Osiris,
ruler of the underworld.

a personification of

? flF\

moon,

time,

originally

valley,

baboon uhe two

Artemis and son of
Zeus, was the sun god,
and caused the fruits

Anubis
JLl

Originally the jackalheaded god of the

dead. Anubis was
supplanted by Osiris
He was nevertheless
the protector of the

i

Nut was the sky goddess of Egyptian mythology and she is often depicted
touching the earth with her toes and fingers. The arch of her body
represents the arc of heaven. The stars on her body denote the Milky Way,
and she is sometimes surrounded by astrological signs.

dead and was often
carved on rock lombs.
,

14

to the

Romans

DON

Cupid, Eros was a
symbol ol earthly love.
He was the son of
Aphrodite, and carried
a bow and arrows with
which he pierced the

uhe Roman NeptUl
was symbolic ol the
power of the waters. He

hearts of his victims,

carried a trident,

causing them to

of creation,

as

passionately

in

fall

love

POSl

I

Brother ol Zeus and
god ol the sea, Poseidon

protect

i

symbol

and could

hose

at sea.


s

Roman

Celtic

The Romans absorbed elements ol all the

cultures they came into contact with. They
adopted the Greek gods as well as those
of other peoples they conquered, and had
hundreds of different gods, goddesses,
demigods, and spirits - each ol which

Although the pre-Roman
Europe
and the British Isles adopted some of the
gods ol the conquering Remans they had

related to virtually every aspect of

I

their

beliefs in a creatoi
trio

.

life.

They honored and worshiped the gods
order to safeguard themselves - in this
hie and the next

own

mother goddess, and nature
ol mothei 01 fertility godd< s»
sometimes presented together

-

are

in

Mini

r\

\

he warlike Minerva
often wears am
ike her Greek
I

I

counterpart Athena,
she represents the arts
wisdom, and teaming.

M \Ks
The son

ol

|up

Mars was
much-respected god
war He is usually
depicted with
in

a

one hand and

spear
a

The

shield in the other

month

March

ol

ol

ci

Irom his name.

Merc

i ry. Jt im m r. Jl no. Apoi lo
Mercury was the god ol commerce He appeared
late in the pantheon, at a time when trade
flourished He is sometimes equated with the
Greek god Hermes, messenger of the gods Here
he weighs Trojan against creek to decide the
i

the Trojan

Jupiter

i

War With him

are

Greek Zeus); |uno, wife
and goddess of
light, marriage, and
childbirth, and Apollo,
son of Jupiter

the

ol lupiter

Cerm nnos
emunnos is found throughout
Mere he is shown with antl
surrounded by animals In his [eft hand he holds
The horned god
the

Flora

Bacc

Flora was the goddess

l

of spring, the vine,
flowers,

and

grain,

she symbolized
i

estivals in her

fruit,

and

fertilit)

honor

were otten wild events

in
sualh depicted as
beautiful south.
nis was ''

a

(

eltk lands

ram-headed serpent, symbol

ol fertility

a

wine, and his worship
leatured much

drunken

(

Norse
I

revelry

he Nordic people,

who

lived in a harsh

climate, worshiped gods ol the elements

and nature

The birth of Aphroditi /Venus
name Aphrodite means
myth the goddess was said

The
em

ni a

scallop shell.

B) respecting

the gods, they

bom

from the loam, and in Creek
appeared from the
The image captured the imagination

hoped

and honoring
some

to exert

control over the fierceness ol the weather

to have

and painters through the ages English poel Alfred
Tennyson wrote ol Aphrodite beautiful hesh a\phrodite symbolized love and beaut) Hei Roman
equivalent, Venus, is equalh famous Below in
Bottieelli s painting, the god ol the West \\ ind is
gently blowing the beautiful Venus toward the shore,
where a nymph awaits read) to cloak her
ets

I

hen.

Odin,

l

hor,

I

un
Si

i

\LSO

i

Oon

I

ght:

HOI

i

>

binh

»»*»%.»%.%,%


&

Mythologies

Religions

Judaism
Judaism emerged

in

about the 14th century bc and has

evolved into a strongly monotheistic religion based on
a dialogue

between God, or Yahweh, and

people, the Jews.

The

chosen

his

patriarchs of Judaism are the

ancient leaders Abraham, his son

and grandson Jacob, whose

Isaac,

M

11
deeds are recorded in Genesis,
,-

i

i

Jk

book of
Bible. Today

the

first

the

Jews are scattered
throughout the
world, but

inked by

are

all

a culture

centered on Jewish

and

history, law,

family

life.

Jerusai

Star of David
Allied to Jewish

d to light the

mysticism, the star
of David

is

\i

i

|udaism, Islam.

\\o\\ to

and

(

hristianit)

Jerusalem was the

A.

made up

capital ol the ancient

two triangles, the
upward-pointing being

the sun, fire, and
ol

kingdom and

Jewish

site

the second temple,

ol

000 years ago
To Jew- the

buih

masculine energy; the

>

c

downward-pointing
the moon, water, and

ii

to symbolizi

ie

[ewish nation

female energy.

Aspects of pram

r

H Wl KKAH
Tin- 8-armed
is

Pram
menorah

used to celebrate

Hanukkah,

the festival

of light- Candles are
lit

on 8 consecutive

and

-

More
time

supply of sacramci
oil lasting 8 days, when

celebrating a

boy

starts

liberation

from
I

age

ollu

1,1

o

at

thirteen.

r) and
Jewish

slavi

a

s

coming

he

sabbath marks the Israelites

the eternal light in the

temple of Jerusalem
was relit in 164 u

I

BOOK

probably a Bar
Mitzvah gift,

the sabbath

sunset on Frida)

R

In- silvei prayei

book was

lews say

ill

on

which
at

in

home

at

ferveni |ews pray three

rs

nights to mark the
miracle of a da

[udaism both

pari in

the

I

i

BOO!

nation.

SlIOl \K

The shofar horn
Rosh Hashanah,

Mezuzah

Jewish

si{

Boy at prayer

the

New Year, and

I

Ins bo) has the

i

on the Jews

Traditionally the

calls

mezuzah

repent their sins bi
the Day ol Atonement.

is

positioned

by the front door. It
contains a tiny scroll,
>:cma, with words

from the Bible. This
calls on God's people

him totally,
and sums up the heart
to love

of the Jewnsh faith

The shofar

is

to

made

horn as a
reminder of the animal

KlPPAH

God

Male lews wear

Abraham

to sacrifice in

place of Isaac

around his arm and

on his forehead
he
wearingol God's
words" m this way is
I

of

a ram's

gave to

strapped

ritual telillm

\\

l

s|

This

i<\ \\ \|

|

is

Temple

70
itself

and

Jerusalem, destroyed by the
It

is

a

symbol both

ol

ol

Romans

the temple

and is the
pilgrimage and worship

of the Jewish nation,

most hoi) place

a skull-

cap, or kippah, as a sign

|

the onl) wall that survives from the
ol

& TEFILLIN

In

ol respect tor

God The

small leather boxes, or
contain passages
/('lillni

From the rorah and are
also worn while praying.

thought to foster
humility
he boy
also wears a tallit, or
prayei -haw

which
I

I

lias a tassel at ea< h

cornei symbolizing
the lour comers ol
,

the earth.


J I

[•

I^»
rORAH
The

Tor.i:

commandments - God

insti

s

nt the

ol Isra

word
___

^fter

The birth of Jewish

i

ol

God

they are

d thai

(

no one may toueh them They may be
unrolled only bv means of the handles

Dor

/hi

Torah because

w

During the Jewish people's long journey Irom
where they had been slaves, God spoke
heir leader, and made a pact, or

/i>uh

the

is i/i

ToKAIl MANTL1
Torah

covenant, with them His Ten Commandments
to the Jews were written in lire on tablets ol
stone and set out a moral and religious code
duct for his chosen people

-.re

traditionally

often

an

t

embroidered mantle, which both
protects them and reinforo
their aura ol p

Sukkot

Passover
'

The

>mmemorates

:

Passover

the

meah

Jus ol the |ews Irom Egypt, when the
angel ol death
the Israelites
sparing their lives At thi
ler, or
ritual

eaten

in

lamb

da
I

at the

Si

The

meal, all the foods
symbolic of that
journey

KKOl
'

koi

commem

in the

wilderness on

S\l IU VII k

A

dish of saltwater

shed

by

:mg

th-

in

their

Hou

captn

\kk

\/M>

Si/
I

I

1

V*

\|
M/VII
\l\i
flat,

ned

Passovi

k

n

I

\ii
Hill III

th.

;h

un

which the

l

in the

HI

1

1

WISH

|


••


&

Mythologies

Religions

*-%s%-*s%^s%s%^s**

Christianity
Christianity has

its

roots

m the Jewish faith and

its

belief of the Bible

prophecies of a Messiah (savior). Chnstians believe these prophecies were
fulfilled in the life of Jesus,

who

they believe

teachings, recorded in the gospels of the

love

and compassion, and

New

the

Son of God. His

Testament, stress brotherly

are rich in symbolic meaning. Since

2,000 years ago the Christian church has
all

is

its

binh

many denominations, but

split into

Christians are united in the central belief that Christ

died to redeem the sins of the world and
that his resurrection offers salvation.

Sacred Lamb
The

lamb is a symbol ol
John the Baptist described
him as the lamb of God that
taketh away the-sins ol the
sacrificial

Christ.

world." In this crazier (bishop's
crook) the lamb stands lor the
salvation ol the faithful.

A

Fish
The fish

a

is

symbol of

ROSAM
The rosary
is

both the

repetition of the

prayer "Hail

and

Man

also the string

ol beads used to count
each incantation. It
takes its name from the

rose,

symbol

ol

Man

Christ because in

Greek the

first letters

words Jesus
Son of God,

ol the five

Christ

Jesi

s

This

modern Russian icon shows Christ ble.-manner of the Eastern church. The thumb

m

1

the

forms a circle with the founh finger and the middle
and index fingers are crossed This represents
Chi and Rho, the first two Greek letters of his
name. Icons are seen as embodying spiritual truths

III

\ IRGIN

M

\R1

Christ,

and Roman Catholic churcl
is worshiped in her own

right She intercedes between man and God. and
is often called Mother of God. The cult ol Man is
similar to some mother goddi
In the Eastern

Man,-. Jesus

mother,

out ol the need for

ami

Savior, spell Ichthi

or

fish.

Three fishes
sent the

Trinity: the Father, the

Dovi

Son. and the Holy

John the Baptist saw the
Hoi) Spirit enter |esus

in the form ol a dove

Spirit.

The Cross

T:ias many

forms St. Peter was crucified
upside down. Constantine s combines th<
two letters for Christ in Greek; an anchor
combines the cross with
mbol
Man: and the Russian cross inclui.;
.

I

the inscription

and the

footi

the crucifix

CRl IH\
The image of
Christ on the
(

cross, the crucifix,

an object of
Christian
devotion. It
is

is

the most
rful

symbol of
Christian;'

reminder that
although Jesus
died on the cross
he rose again,
triumphing over

(

I

I

The

IK

ROSS
on a Celtic

(

ring

nbol of Irwh
-

F

Christianity, slant!

death.

in

and

eternity.

C

R<

III

.1

ol a

18

refers
)lace

both to Christian believers
of worship The central part

church, the nave,
flip,

"+>^%s%s%s%.

II

The church
and

symbol

ol the

i-

named

church

alter the Latin

usell


CHR

I

*•

T

1

A\

I

"n

Saints
Christian saints were particular!) devout people who lived -and
often died - for the Christian cause and have since been canonized

hy the church. There are thousands of saints, and main
are depicted in sculpture and paintings

ol

them

carrying attributes related to their life
or manner of death. St. Francis, for
instance, is seen with birds or
animals, and

St.

Catherine

carries a wheel.

sometimes
St. John the

M \ki

Baptist

carries his severed

A

head on

si

a platter.

Mac. dai

i

\i

pn isl
Mary Magdalene

former,

represents the
penitent sinner

\
John the

Baptist

in

coming

He

and
him He was

beheaded

at

it)

ind his whole life
humble beginnings

5u< h

ol his

-

I.

foretold the

of Christ

baptized

simplic

emphasize the spiniujl nature
opposed to matt rial rii hness.

the

disciple.

bom in

was the

Old Testament
prophets and Jesus' tirst
ol

\ii\in

Jesus was

John mt Baptist

COMMl NK)N

A

the wish ol

his last supper with his disciples |esus
broke bread and poured wine, which he
blessed and shared among them, saying that
they were his body and blood By imitating
i

Herod's wife and her
daughter. Salome, and his

head was presented to

them on

St. Ciiristophi r
St. Christopher

a plate

his actions at the

communion

Juki across
- the Juki was

carried a
a river

Chnst.
s

01

bod)

ritually ol the

the world

Christopher
the patron ol travel
itself

service,

hristians partake

c

i

and

bio, >d ol

i

Iiim

is

Bri \d
symbolizes the
ol

hrist

c

communion

it

In

takes

the form ol a wafei

(

Mill

St

ho

KlM's Will

I

\\i\i

The wine drunk

communion
blood

ol

c

is

at

the

shed

hrist,

mankind

fol

I

atherine died for

i

(

hristian beliefs,

flaming wheels -

hence net symbol

the whi

is

\i\
I

IGIOI

1

s

HOOKS
Si

he Bibl

||M
ith

I

Ol h

I

preach the Gospel
10

St

him

Ik

|ohn

\N(

is

01

Assist

the

l

\LSO

i

C

MHI

I

A

lil'

\cosii is
hrist to

Ml \

IK. .IN

Ml.

I

I

Pi

Hole

hold
letter,

the

s

symbolizing
n

i

hi-,

hi-

manner

right

ol

Mark,

man

like |onn,

holds the

<

to the Huils

iospel

then

ileum

%.--%s%s%^-+

19


&

Mythologies

Religions

Hinduism
Hinduism

is

the major religion of India.

It

has evolved over millennia and

complex range of traditions, religious beliefs, philosophy, and
mythology: The roots of Hinduism can be traced to the Aryans, who arrived in
India with a pantheon of male gods in the second millennium BC. The
encompasses

a

indigenous Indus valley peoples already had strong religious beliefs centered on

fertility cults

and

a

Mother Goddess. The Aryans adopted many of

their beliefs,

including the Goddess. All the gods and goddesses of Hinduism,
including Brahma (creator), Vishnu (preserver), Shiva (destroyer)

and the Goddess

are aspects of

Brahman, the one eternal

principle.

The conch,

The chakra, whet

symbolizing

oJc\

and

creation

transience

Brahma
The four heads of Brahma,

Krishna
An

incarnation

ol

Vishnu. Krishna

embodies divine

love.

His adventures are
recorded in the
Purana. Here
naughty child

the creator, symbolize the
four quarters, the four Vedas,

or religious texts, and the four

castes of Hinduism. Brahma has

become

less

important than Vishnu, Shiva, and the Goddess.

at

lu

i-

.1

stealing butter

Tht

man) hand

symbolize the

man)

aspet

q) ih,

deit)

ts

Lotus,

symbol oj
creation

and

purity.

Hanuman
1

lanuman, the mighty

monkey

general of the

epic Ramayana,

represents loyalty,
religious devotion,

Shiva

and courage.

Originally a mountain god, Shiva, meaning
auspicious, is the god of destruction. But, in a world
ol endless rebirths, destruction precedes creation.

He may be worshiped as a linga, or phallic symbol,
as an ascetic, as a teacher, or in his form as dancer
in the great

dance of creation and destruction.

Ganesha
Many

Ganesha overcomes
all obstacles and is
the god of new

signs

represent the

arm.

-

Club,

contained

symbol of

within the god

ventures.

authority

the head of an

elephant, and so
can forge through

DURGA
Vishnu

Durga

Originally connected with the sun, Vishnu is the preserver of the
universe and the embodiment of love, truth, and mercy To his
worshipers he is the supreme being from whom everything emanates.
He rides on Garuda, the fabulous bird, or rests on Ananta, the cosmic
serpent. Vishnu has been incarnated on earth in nine avatars, or
incarnations, some human, some animal. The tenth incarnation, the

Mother
Goddess and wields

horse avatar,

is

yet to

come.

is

oi

the ferocious

the

various weapons in her
ten hands. She stands
for the more active,
destructive aspects of
feminine nature

20

He has

le thickest jungle

myth Shiva
mistakenly

In

beheaded the
god, and only an
elephant's head
could be found
as a replacemeni


.

H

ISM

l\ PI

Objects oi worship
Hindu worship

In

*

ind involving the

>.

form
and

ide in the
ol Ri

d air.

clarified butter. Ritual

i

sprinkling rose water and scent, burning
ir other n
inc<

St

SHAW

\l

I

K

This ivor) sunt
shaker is shaped
like the

Om
This

is

perfumed
symbol ol

a sacred

syllable thought to

lotus,

shaped
\si
Bl R\l R
The incense
Inc

and future

exist

is

a ate

Sensuous nymphs
like this are found on
temple walls. They

shrine in a

symbolic

sacred to
Hindus, and even the

Swastika

as a
symbol of well-being.

specimen
must not be harmed.
Valued for us milk and
its dung, which is used
as fuel, the low

Count ere lock v.

probably represents

swastikas are

Mother

In India the swastika

is

an auspicious mark

worn as jewelry or
marked on objects

lowliest

purification

''/JJtillx.

The

Hindu temple
The central tower
represents
mouniatntop,
because mountains are the
sacred abodes ol the g
The image ol the god is in

architecture ol a

Wheels
is

the

.1

iky-chariol

qj

tnbolic

.

thai this

personify rain clouds
and mists and are
associated with

is

i

around a

Temple

Apsaras

The cow

used to

sprinkle

gods with sweet smells.

Sacred cow

like

a flower,

i

burner is waved
back and forth in the
shrine. Wafting the
aroma around welcomes

The sound, pronounced A-U-M, is thought to
be the one eternal syllable, in which the past.

the sun

god

and growth.

fertility

k

sprinkler.

creation

be the seed" of all
mantras, divine and
powerful words or sounds

present,

KOSE-W \n
M'RINKI ER
The »

headily

the cavelike inner

sanctum, the earthy
or

womb cnamb
ibolism

Earth.

sometimes considered
inauspicious The
symbol, which predates
Hinduism, is associated
with the sun and the
wheel of birth and
rebirth, and is
f

•

an emblem of
Vishnu

Shrine

DrvALi
The fall

The household shrine

Divali, the festival of

is

an important focus

light, is

festival ol

celebrated in

(.

WGES

honor of Lakshmi.

consort of Vishnu and
goddess of abundance
and good fortune It

The

also celebrates the

to visit holy sues,

of fresh flowers, fruit,

return Irom exile of

and cooked food

the hero

Benares, birthp
lliva
[*o she on the banks ol the

of daily pu)a. or
I

worship This is where
the gods are invited.
welcomed, and
worshiped Offerings
are-

placed before an image
and ino
may be burned

of the god,

.

iv.it. ir

.'I

Rama

Himalayas, home
sonified by the goddes!

:

Pilgrims

.111

Vishnu,

lamps were

holiest of the rivers ol India, the

rises in the

when

come

Ganges and
ashes

relit all

over the kingdom

to

llo.it ,iw.i\

to the

(

ol the

*

gods h

ranges

such as

hav
on

its

the best ol deaths for a

current

is

Hindu

Vncieni

II

Sm

M
illy

\\^\>
This

MAM

tain

suJK

I

1

i

1

KJUSHNA

a fol

t •

Smi\

i
\

milL

Ihenu, the

Sw IMIk

n his
>l

later life is 10 live

r

as

indicated by the
horizontal lines on his
ind the
buffal

Brmimv
Ganesh

\/s<>

•

in

1

Him!

•nan

2

1

the

\ IMIV

I

•

>

I