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.
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