Dictionary of Symbolism: Cultural Icons and the Meanings Behind Them

Covers a lot of territory, but nothing meaningful. If you are new to being alive in the west and need to get up to speed on some basic notions of what various symbols mean, this is a useful reference. But if you are looking to get a deep read, this doesn't cut it.

I realy enjoye this book, it's easy to use and the explanations are clair and simple and include differents aspects and meaning. this book is great to have... tks

This is an excellent resource for the study of literature. I love watching my students use this book to heighten their understanding of the material we cover. I am constantly amazed by the connections they make that I never considered!

I ordered this book from Amazon along with two other dictionaries of symbols. I like this one the least. While it seems to be relatively thorough, it had misinformation (or, to put it kindly, "ambiguous and incomplete language") and bias in the first two entries I looked up. This dictionary says that Joan of Arc "died by the sword" (without the quotes). Everyone knows she was burned at the stake. If the author was being figurative, he should have been more careful, esp. when he doesn't elaborate on Joan's actual history. Second, under "sword" he states that because Genesis describes an angel posted at the gate of the Garden of Eden "with a flaming sword," and swords weren't invented then (traditionally, 4,000 BC), this shows that "the Biblical account does not date from the era it describes." This is an astoundingly stupid statement, especially from someone who presumably specializes in historic research. By definition, ALL history is written after the events that took place, especially accounts (or myths) set in pre-history. Plus, the sword in question is wielded by an angel, a supernatural figure not constrained by time or human (physical/geological) limitations.
This author also says that the Japanese short sword, the wakizashi, was used for ritual suicide. Maybe, sometimes. But usually it was the tanto, or long knife that was used for sepeku.
Buy Jack Tresidder,'s "Complete Dictionary of Symbols" instead. It has the same number of entries (2000), but is about 60 pages longer. It has a much more attractive layout, very useful cross-referencing and specially highlighted "boxed" articles. More important, it also footnotes many of its key sources--something Biedermann doesn't bother with.

Okay -- I'll admit that I have it in the bathroom, but only because I want to read every item and it is a good place for quick reading.

As an aspiring writer of fantasy -- which I don't understand because I don't care for fantasy -- I need to have some understand of these symbols and how they relate to my stories. I have been able to connect bits and pieces into my understanding and imagination and come up with a new way to express the details of the pictures I have in my head.

This is, by far, one of the most useful reference books I have.