Ariadne's Clue: A Guide to the Symbols of HumankindSymbolism 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. |
Contents
Ariadnes Clue | 3 |
What is a Symbol? | 12 |
The Evolution of Meaning | 22 |
How Do Symbols Work? | 36 |
Basic Symbolic Themes | 45 |
The Conjunction of Heaven and Earth | 61 |
Living the Symbolic Life | 76 |
THE EXPLANATORY THESAURUS | 91 |
vii Eros and Psyche | 220 |
viii Individuation and Transcendence | 235 |
ix Death and Rebirth | 256 |
x Morality | 262 |
xi Sickness and Healing | 274 |
xii Tools Weapons Utensils and Musical Instruments | 280 |
xiii Transport | 291 |
xiv Performance and Ritual | 298 |
The Physical Environment | 97 |
i Landscape | 99 |
ii The Psychic Compass | 116 |
iii The Four Elements | 123 |
iv Alchemy | 132 |
vi Colours | 146 |
vii Buildings | 150 |
viii Migration | 154 |
Culture and Psyche | 161 |
i Religion and the Sacred | 170 |
ii Gods Goddesses and Demons | 173 |
iii Creation Myths | 195 |
iv Paradise and the Pall | 200 |
v Heroes and Heroines | 208 |
vi Initiation Male and Female | 216 |
People Animals and Plants | 305 |
i Sex Gender Bonding and Childrearing | 306 |
Dominance and Submission | 323 |
iii Animals | 332 |
iv Monsters and Fabulous Beasts | 367 |
v Plants Fruits and Trees | 379 |
The Body | 395 |
i Adornment Clothes and Nudity | 396 |
ii Parts of the Body | 401 |
iii Physical Activities | 415 |
Bibliography | 423 |
Glossary | 433 |
439 | |
449 | |