This remarkable classic by a world expert on the evolution and migration of symbols explains in detail what a symbol is, how it served a culture, developed or fell into disuse. Considerable attention is paid to how various symbols have changed in meaning and form during their migrations. Among the configurations discussed: the triskelion, swastika, caduceus, double-headed eagle, "tree of life," lotus, and assorted crosses. 161 black-and-white illustrations plus 6 plates.
Excerpt from The Migration of Symbols One of the most remarkable instances of the migration qfa symbolical type is that afforded by the trash/ion tripes or, as we more familiarly know it, the Three Legs of Man. It first ap pears on the coins of Lycia, circa 480; and then on those of Sicily, where it was adopted by Agathocles, b.c. 317-7, but not as a symbol of the Morning, Mid-day and Afternoon Sun [the Three Steps of Vishnu but of the three-sided, or rather three-ended, or three-pointed [tri quetrous land of Trin-akria, Three Capes, the ancient name of Sicily; and, finally, from the seventeenth century, on the coins of the Isle of Man; where, as Mr. John Newton has shown, in the At/zemum of the roth of September, 1892, it was introduced by Alexander III. Of Scotland, when. About the Publisher Forgotten Books publishes hundreds of thousands of rare and classic books. Find more at www.forgottenbooks.com This book is a reproduction of an important historical work. Forgotten Books uses state-of-the-art technology to digitally reconstruct the work, preserving the original format whilst repairing imperfections present in the aged copy. In rare cases, an imperfection in the original, such as a blemish or missing page, may be replicated in our edition. We do, however, repair the vast majority of imperfections successfully; any imperfections that remain are intentionally left to preserve the state of such historical works.
This book investigates cultural and social identity in contemporary complex societies, focusing especially on Eastern Europe. Mach explains the role of symbols and symbolic forms in he relations between groups and the protection and development of their identities, especially ethnic identity. He places his study within the context of social order and the structure of power, using case studies which deal especially with the significance of politics, state rituals and national identity (Great Britain, Israel, Russia, Poland); in the conflict and displacement of migrating groups (Polish and German); and in regional questions of identity and inter-ethnic relations (Poland, United States, Great Britain). Mach presents a clear conceptual framework for analyzing the symbolic construction of identity. He views cultural identity as a dynamic, creative process which clarifies issues that are particularly significant in contemporary society, such as nationalism, new ethnicity, minority culture, and the cultural dimension of political conflicts.
