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Translated from the 1974 Swedish version, explains the functions, meanings, history, and systems of about 1,500 graphic symbols known in western culture. A classification based on three structural features (symmetry, open/closed, straight/curved lines) provides the organization of the main list. Well cross-referenced to different symbols with similar meanings and similar signs with different meanings. An 80-page introduction thoroughly discusses symbols. Annotation c. by Book News, Inc., Portland, Or.

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Library Journal Review

Never before published in the United States, this authoritative four-part history, dictionary, and index of non-iconic symbols is a revision of the author's Symboler , published in Sweden in 1974. Part 1 concisely traces the historical development of symbols since their first appearance about 20,000 years ago, then develops several topical themes: astrological, hobo, and Nazi symbols, as well as modern business logotypes. Classification by form is difficult due to the diversity of symbols, yet about 1500 are painstakingly classified into 54 groups in Part 2 where the history, derivation, and meanings are described for each. In Part 3, verbal descriptions, e.g., ``peace symbol,'' comprise the easily used word index. There are some oversights in the index (e.g., astrological signs, which are treated in some detail elsewhere, only appear sporadically), but this is not a major criticism. Part 4, a graphic index, references information in Part 2 by shape and form. All historical periods and geographical areas are treated. Engineering symbols are deliberately excluded. There is nothing else quite like this well-researched work; other titles are older or specialized. Although useful for scholars and specialists, this is excellent for general reference. Highly recommended for medium to large reference collections.-- Stanley P. Hodge, Ball State Univ. Lib., Muncie, Ind. (c) Copyright 2010. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.

CHOICE Review

Liungman's unique compilation traces the cultural history and the meanings of approximately 1,500 common Western ideograms, i.e., graphic symbols. The goal is to provide a tool for those who work with ideograms, such as graphic designers and art historians. The user can locate specific images through the "Word Index," for names of symbols, or the "Graphic Index," which organizes ideograms by structural features. The main body of the work (also organized by structural features) consists of large pictures of the ideograms with accompanying meanings, history, and usage information. The prefatory sections contain brief expositions on such topics as definitions, kinds of meanings, astrological symbols, ancient American ideograms, and three Western systems of hobo signs (fascinating!). The book is handsomely arranged and structurally sound. There is no recent work that compares to Liungman's; Henry Dreyfuss's Symbol Sourcebook (CH, May'72) provides only ideograms and names. Recommended especially for art libraries and university-level collections; also for upper-division college libraries.-G. M. Herrmann, SUNY College at Cortland

Booklist Review

The intention of this Dictionary of Symbols is to "function both as a reference work in Western cultural history and as a tool for those working with ideograms," for example, advertisers, graphic artists, and interior designers. This first English edition is "a voyage of discovery into Western thought" from the earliest times through the present, listing both old ideograms that are no longer used (e.g., symbols from alchemy) and modern ideograms that are used on such things as signposts and instrument panels (e.g., the triangle as a symbol for danger). Liungman is a Swedish scholar and author of four previous books. After a very lengthy introduction that discusses everything from astrological symbols to the sign of the cross, 1,500 symbols are arranged in 54 main groups. These groups are determined by shape. Group 28, for example, covers "multi-axis symmetric, straight-lined, closed signs without crossing lines." Here are triangles, squares, rectangles, pentagons, etc., with an explanation of what they have symbolized through history. The symbols are portrayed with simple line drawings. The text accompanying each symbol is usually about a paragraph in length, but for symbols like the swastika that have been used by many different cultures throughout history, the explanation is much longer. A "Word Index" and a "Graphic Index" are the main devices for accessing the contents of the dictionary. The first is alphabetically arranged and easy to use; the second reproduces all the symbols in the order in which they are grouped and gives page references for them in both the introduction (when appropriate) and in the dictionary proper. A short "Graphic Search Index," which explains the shapes that are used to group the symbols, concludes the volume. A short, annotated bibliography listing many European works is provided at the end of the introduction. Though dated, Dreyfuss' Symbol Sourcebook (McGraw-Hill, 1972; paper, Von Nostrand, 1984), mentioned in this bibliography, is a far simpler-to-use yet comprehensive reference source for symbols in a public library setting. Academic libraries will want to add the more scholarly Dictionary of Symbols to their reference collections for its information on the historical development of symbols. (Reviewed Jan. 1, 1992)

Notas de autor provistas por Syndetics

Carl G. Lungman is a Swedish scholar whose work has been well received by linguists and semioticians worldwide.