Dictionary

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Dictionary of Symbolism
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Author Hans Biederman Price 25.00
paperback Publisher Facts on File Year
Published 1989 translation c. 1992 ISBN
0-8160-2593-2 Call R704.946
B586k Description x, 465 p. ill. 26 cm.
Includes bibliographic references and indexes.
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• Offers nearly 600 entries that explain the
  meanings and origins of over 2,000 symbols culled
  from the worlds of
• Fairy tales
• Native American legends
• The Bible
• Greek, Roman, Celtic and Chinese mythology
• Folklore
• History
• Philosophy
• And many others

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The work features 680 ILLUSTRATIONS PICTORAL
INDEX GENERAL INDEX SELECTED BIBLIOGRAPHY Origin
ally published in German, this is the first
edition in English of a work that has been
translated into eighteen languages.
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Credentials of the author
Professor Hans Biedermann (1930-1990) was born in
Vienna. A student of natural and social
sciences, he taught at the University of Graz in
Austria. He has written several other works,
including The Handbook of Magical Arts, Picture
Symbols of Prehistory, and Lexicon of Rock
Pictures.
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Book Reviews
This reference work defines symbols not only as
visual icons (including shapes, color, and
geometric designs), but also as biblical,
classical, and mythological figures botonics
minerals and animals (real and mythical) as they
relate to literature, dreams, art, and so forth.
Generally recommended, although there is no need
to duplicate if a collection has sufficient works
of this nature --Library Journal
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Book Reviews
Primarily for a lay audience, but with much to
interest scholars --Book News, Inc.
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Reference Query
What is the symbolic meaning of the wolf in the
fairy tale Little Red Riding Hood?
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Dictionary information
idioms preserve the image of the wolf as
ravenous, a menace, a predator. The wolf
symbolizes cunning and treachery. Jungians
understand the wolf (as a dream symbol) as
prowling the landscape of the psyche,
representing untamed energies, intelligent and
uncompromising. They are, however, quick to
point out that this rapacious predator is
outsmarted by the wise child
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Search
In an article by Prof. Waller Hastings of
Northern State University in Aberdeen, South
Dakota, the significance of the the wolf is that
he is satirically seen to represent the city
gentleman who does not hesitate to take advantage
of the poor village girl.
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Search
Big Bad Wolf - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
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2nd Reference Query
What kinds of symbols did traveling hobos leave
when they left a home where they were given a
good meal?
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Dictionary information
Unfortunately, this work does not even address
this genre of rich symbolism!
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Personal Response

• I was a little disappointed with this reference
  work. It was not well type-set, and seemed to be
  illustrated with poor-qual-ity photocopies of old
  wood cuts. The print was small and the
  two-column format did not invite random reading
  of additional articles. While I respect the
  scholarly credentials of the author, I was not
  motivated to spend much time in his work.