The visual vocabulary and secret language that shape our thoughts and dreams and dictate our reactions to the world, with more than 2200 vivid images Many symbols carry an elemental power that transcends boundaries and holds significance for other cultures. This comprehensive and beautiful book discusses and illustrates thousands of these symbols and assesses their position in language, art, literature, mythology, magic, religion and psychology. The erudite text provides a wealth of cultural background to primal metaphors that are part of mankind's universal language. The book is both a journey of discovery into the importance of symbolism and dreaming and a vast visual resource of signs and symbols.