Ariadne's clue : a guide to the symbols of humankind
- Princeton, NJ Princeton University Press c1998
- xii, 465p.; ill.; bibliog.; glossary; indices
Part 1 - Symbolism, evolution, and psychology. 1 Ariadne's clue. 2 What is a symbol?. 3 The evolution of meaning. 4 How do symbols work?. 5 Basic symbolic themes. 6 The conjunction of heaven and earth. 7 Living the symbolic life. Part 2 - The explanatory thesaurus. 1 The physical environment. Landscape. The psychic compass. The four elements. Alchemy. Celestial bodies. Colours. Buildings. Migration. 2 Culture and psyche. Religion and the sacred. Gods, goddesses, and demons. Creation myths. Paradise and the fall. Heroes and heroines. Initiation, male and female. Eros and Psyche. Individuation and transcendence. Death and rebirth. Morality. Sickness and healing. Tools, weapons, utensils, and musical instruments. Transport. Performance and ritual. 3 People, animals, and plants. Sex, gender, bonding, and childrearing. Power: dominance and submission. Animals. Monsters and fabulous beasts. Plants, fruits, and trees. 4 The body. Adornment, clothes, and nudity. Parts of the body. Physical activities
'Symbolism is the most powerful and ancient means of communication available to humankind. For centuries people have expressed their preoccupations and concerns through symbolism in the form of myths, stories, religions, and dreams. The meaning of symbols has long been debated among philosophers, antiquarians, theologians, and, more recently, anthropologists and psychologists. In Ariadne's Clue, distinguished analyst and psychiatrist Anthony Stevens explores the nature of symbols and explains how and why we create the symbols we do.'