Signs & Symbols of the World: Over 1,001 Visual Signs Explained

Signs and Symbols of the World (by D.R. McElroy, out in May, 2020 by Wellfleet Press) is the perfect book to escape the lockdown by getting absorbed in the world of language, culture, mythology, alchemy, astrology and medicine. As every good source book, Signs and Symbols of the World starts with definitions: the difference between an ideogram vs a pictogram, amulet and emblem. Not only does the book explain the origin of signs and symbols, but it also describes the wider historical context of the time when the symbols were born. The book also dispels some misinformation such as the confusion between the Eye of Ra and the Eye of Horus (in the book the explanation is further supported by a small illustration, which makes it easy to understand the reason for the confusion). Being extra grateful to the NHS (and many more industries) during lockdown, what’s more current than discussing medical symbolism as an example from the book. The caduceus (on the left) is assumed to be the symbol of the medical profession. However, historically, it was the Rod of Asclepius (on the right) that stood for healing. There are wings on the caduceus because they represent Hermes, the winged messenger to the gods. The Rod of Asclepius, on the other hand, pays homage to the god of healing, Asklepius (written with a ‘k’). There is so much more to discover in this book, from the rationale behind the representation of our astrological sign, through military designations to the Druid alphabet. And the list goes on; just to give a flavour of this list, consider chapters such as Ancient and Modern Civilisations, Currency, Manufacturing, Music, Sigils and Paganism and even Digital. 255 pages of exciting discovery into the intrinsic world of symbols and signs.

An informative and interesting book full of lovely illustrations and facts. I learned a lot and I loved it. Highly recommended. Many thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for this ARC.

A really fascinating reference book, with so much info packed in across a huge variety symbols from the well-known to the more obscure. Felt like more of a reference book, though anyone with a great interest in this subject might enjoy a cover to cover read! But plenty of scope for students, researchers and enthusiasts to find something they need here. Liked the writing style, the layout and all the imagery, so overall a great book!

DR McElroy’s Signs and Symbols of the World is a reference book, one you dip into rather than one you read from cover to cover. I did attempt to read it all at once, for purpose of reviewing, but I’m afraid I rather ran out of steam. That’s my fault, not the book’s. I was reading it wrong. Trying to take it all in at once just leads to complete information overload, because it’s so wonderfully comprehensive. It really does address just about every sign or symbol I could wish to understand, from ancient runes through to the most modern of symbols, the emoticon. There’s not much I can say in a review except that it does exactly what it says on the tin, and that i shall be coming back to it again and again for information and explanation. Fascinating.

This book was enjoyable. It was informative and enlightening to learn more about symbols from around the world. The illustrations are simple and pretty. The explanations are easy to understand.

I received an advance reader copy of this book to read in exchange for an honest review via netgalley and the publishers. This is a well put together and knowledgeable book of signs and symbols from ancient times all the way up to presant times. Each chapter shows a different set of symbols with basic information for each and information about why and when they were used and by whom. This is a great book of knowledge for anyone with an interest in ancient times or symbols in general.

Absolutely jam packed with info on so many signs. A good buy *adding more to my September comments: This is so much more than a book on signs and symbols. I can't put into this space just what can be learnt so just read it 👍🏻

I love this book because it's FULL of images of symbols and information about them.

This book is very useful and informative. I find the history of symbols and signs fascinating. I think it's a great way to impress people.

Great book and wonderful details and information

Basic info on quite a few symbols. Nice.

I find symbology fascinating and this text is a good addition to my bookshelf.