Doston, Bates & Guild, 1912. — 120 p.Each year, the stream of travel increases and many people are brought in contact with ancient terms and devices with which they are totally unfamiliar. Each year, new classes are formed in the History of Art and thousands of students enter art schools where they copy classic designs which represented in the past the customs and beliefs of powerful and intelligent people.
In order to thoroughly enjoy historical and religious works or to interpret the exact language of form and color in ancient buildings, it is necessary to be acquainted with the most important emblems, from their origin in the past to the present application of these terms.
The Bible contains the largest number of symbols of any history in the world. Readers and teachers need to be familiar with the popular forms of expression employed by Hebrew, Pagan and Christian, in order to interpret correctly the Scriptures as well as classic and romantic literature.
Architects, sculptors, decorators and illustrators of fact and fiction, designers of book covers and plates, smiths and jewelers are often at a loss to find an object which will lend itself to their design and at the same time typify something or someone that they desire to suggest or memorialize in its plan.
The reasons governing the connection between the larger number of symbols and their meanings are so wrapped in myth and legend that an entire volume is often necessary to explain a few emblems. The greatest need seems to be—which are the important symbols and what do they signify.
Therefore, the compiler of this manual respectfully submits to all readers, travelers and students, a list of symbols culled from her collection of notes covering a period of nine years' study upon the subject and an equal number of trips abroad. In the majority of cases the emblem has been personally verified. Also, a selected bibliography of helpful books for those who desire to make a study of the subject. All of these works may be found either in the libraries of Boston or of Chicago.
