Interpret symbols no matter where you are with this easy-to-use guide – whether you're in a museum, a church, simply walking down the high street or intrigued by a friend's tattoo, you'll never be flummoxed by a motif again
This practical, easy-to-follow field guide will enable you to pursue your own sleuthing trail through the iconography and symbology of the world's religions, secret societies and cults. As you investigate these fascinating subjects you're sure to unearth hidden meanings in paintings, buildings and the decorative arts which will illuminate beliefs and ways of thinking deeply rooted in the past, many of which continue into the present.
The Symbol Detective is a complete how-to manual, providing essential background about types of symbol, with a recognition guide and explanatory glossary for dozens of commonly encountered motifs. Discover how the precise meaning of each symbol depends on its usage and context. You'll learn how to recognize many of the common symbols used by religions such as Christianity and Buddhism, and by groups such as the Freemasons and the Hermeticists. With illustrated references to mysteriously adorned buildings such as Roslyn Chapel (Scotland) and Rushton Triangular Lodge (Northamptonshire), The Symbol Detective will enable you to recognize motifs in situ and begin your journey to reveal layers of meaning in artefacts of all kinds.
