---
product_id: 3852979
title: "Signs and Symbols: An Illustrated Guide to Their Origins and Meanings (DK Compact Culture Guides)"
price: "510 kr"
currency: DKK
in_stock: true
reviews_count: 13
url: https://www.desertcart.dk/products/3852979-signs-and-symbols-an-illustrated-guide-to-their-origins-meanings
store_origin: DK
region: Denmark
---

# Signs and Symbols: An Illustrated Guide to Their Origins and Meanings (DK Compact Culture Guides)

**Price:** 510 kr
**Availability:** ✅ In Stock

## Quick Answers

- **What is this?** Signs and Symbols: An Illustrated Guide to Their Origins and Meanings (DK Compact Culture Guides)
- **How much does it cost?** 510 kr with free shipping
- **Is it available?** Yes, in stock and ready to ship
- **Where can I buy it?** [www.desertcart.dk](https://www.desertcart.dk/products/3852979-signs-and-symbols-an-illustrated-guide-to-their-origins-meanings)

## Best For

- Customers looking for quality international products

## Why This Product

- Free international shipping included
- Worldwide delivery with tracking
- 15-day hassle-free returns

## Description

Signs and Symbols: An Illustrated Guide to Their Origins and Meanings (DK Compact Culture Guides) [DK, Bruce-Mitford, Miranda] on desertcart.com. *FREE* shipping on qualifying offers. Signs and Symbols: An Illustrated Guide to Their Origins and Meanings (DK Compact Culture Guides)

Review: Excellent Resource for Symbols, Signs and Patterns - "Wherever we live, we are surrounded by symbols--if we choose to see them. We can go through life ignorant of this rich imagery, or we can open our eyes to the deeper truths inherent in much that surrounds us. For those interested in exploring the philosophical and the metaphysical, a world filled with symbols is infinitely rich and rewarding, leading us to a greater understanding of ourselves and bringing a fresh perspective to our lives." - From the book From crosses to triangles, colors to flowers, symbols permeate art, myth, fairytales and movies. Most everyone knows that a heart pierced by an arrow symbolizes love, as well as that of a red rose. But have you ever considered how that association came to be made? What about the pyramid on a dollar bill, "the finger", or the significance of the red string bracelet worn by Kabbalists? Or what does it mean that Bill Clinton "points" with his thumb when giving a speech or that kohl lined the eyes of Ancient Egyptian women? Where is the subtle symbol concealed in the FedEx emblem that earned it one of the top eight logos in modern design history? You'll find the answers to these questions and many more in DK's book Signs & Symbols. At 352-pages with full color illustrations, many in shiny gold, this hardcover reference book is chock full of fascinating tidbits on the origin, lore and associations of thousands of signs and symbols. Here are just some of topics covered in DK's Signs & Symbols: * Fairytale motifs * Religious and national symbols * Body language, hobo signs, hand signals and symbolic gestures * Weather, fire, air, water and earth * Clothing, headwear, uniforms, body adornment and jewelry * Modern phallic symbols (i.e. rockets, guns and guitars) * Plants, herbs, flowers, food, trees and animals * Buddhist mudras * Emoticons, currency symbols and musical notation * Fantastical beasts * Art, theater, dance, masks and musical instruments * Flags, crests and corporate logos * Numerology, Magic Squares, Tarot Major Arcana, Palmistry and Runes * Precious stones and metals * Astrological, Mayan and Celtic glyphs * Death, marriage, creation stories and rites of initiation * Gematria, tetraktys and Sefirot of Kabbalah * Monuments, architecture, home, gardens and mazes Gorgeous as a coffee book or simply for leafing through, DK's Signs & Symbols offers magnificent eye-candy via lush photos, gold inking, illustrations, charts and accessible descriptions. As a reference book for writers, researchers, artists or the insanely curious, this book provides extraordinary insights into the patterns, archetypes and symbols found throughout history and modern surrounds. -- Janet Boyer, author of The Back in Time Tarot Book
Review: It's a fact! - It's a fact that this book is amazing! I have never found a book that covers so much information without making you feel overwhelmed. From the moment that I found this on this site, I was excited about getting my hands on it. I was running to the mailbox every day for a week! Needless to say, all of that waiting was worth it. When I got my hands on it, I could not put it down. I was amazed! I had never realized how much meaning was behind the objects I never once considered full of any kind of meaning. This book covers a broad range of topics from animals, flowers, personal objects (rings, lipstick, etc), to body parts and so much more. You will truly be amazed at all the information that lies within the cover of this book. I will admit, I have had this book for a couple of years now and I still have not finished it, but that isn't for a lack of trying. I just can't get enough of what I have already learned. I keep going back to re-read and then read a bit more. This is one of my favorite books by far! I highly recommend it to anyone interested in learning about the history and background of some of the most basic and overlooked things! If you are considering as to whether or not to buy this book, then buy it! I assure you that you will not be disappointed!

## Technical Specifications

| Specification | Value |
|---------------|-------|
| Best Sellers Rank | #35,557 in Books ( See Top 100 in Books ) #6 in Design History & Criticism #11 in Mythology & Folklore Encyclopedias #57 in Folklore & Mythology Studies |
| Customer Reviews | 4.6 4.6 out of 5 stars (2,040) |
| Dimensions  | 7.75 x 1.2 x 9.19 inches |
| Edition  | Illustrated |
| ISBN-10  | 0756633931 |
| ISBN-13  | 978-0756633936 |
| Item Weight  | 2.61 pounds |
| Language  | English |
| Print length  | 352 pages |
| Publication date  | June 16, 2008 |
| Publisher  | DK |

## Images

![Signs and Symbols: An Illustrated Guide to Their Origins and Meanings (DK Compact Culture Guides) - Image 1](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/9166DDOPugL.jpg)

## Customer Reviews

### ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Excellent Resource for Symbols, Signs and Patterns
*by J***R on September 16, 2008*

"Wherever we live, we are surrounded by symbols--if we choose to see them. We can go through life ignorant of this rich imagery, or we can open our eyes to the deeper truths inherent in much that surrounds us. For those interested in exploring the philosophical and the metaphysical, a world filled with symbols is infinitely rich and rewarding, leading us to a greater understanding of ourselves and bringing a fresh perspective to our lives." - From the book From crosses to triangles, colors to flowers, symbols permeate art, myth, fairytales and movies. Most everyone knows that a heart pierced by an arrow symbolizes love, as well as that of a red rose. But have you ever considered how that association came to be made? What about the pyramid on a dollar bill, "the finger", or the significance of the red string bracelet worn by Kabbalists? Or what does it mean that Bill Clinton "points" with his thumb when giving a speech or that kohl lined the eyes of Ancient Egyptian women? Where is the subtle symbol concealed in the FedEx emblem that earned it one of the top eight logos in modern design history? You'll find the answers to these questions and many more in DK's book Signs & Symbols. At 352-pages with full color illustrations, many in shiny gold, this hardcover reference book is chock full of fascinating tidbits on the origin, lore and associations of thousands of signs and symbols. Here are just some of topics covered in DK's Signs & Symbols: * Fairytale motifs * Religious and national symbols * Body language, hobo signs, hand signals and symbolic gestures * Weather, fire, air, water and earth * Clothing, headwear, uniforms, body adornment and jewelry * Modern phallic symbols (i.e. rockets, guns and guitars) * Plants, herbs, flowers, food, trees and animals * Buddhist mudras * Emoticons, currency symbols and musical notation * Fantastical beasts * Art, theater, dance, masks and musical instruments * Flags, crests and corporate logos * Numerology, Magic Squares, Tarot Major Arcana, Palmistry and Runes * Precious stones and metals * Astrological, Mayan and Celtic glyphs * Death, marriage, creation stories and rites of initiation * Gematria, tetraktys and Sefirot of Kabbalah * Monuments, architecture, home, gardens and mazes Gorgeous as a coffee book or simply for leafing through, DK's Signs & Symbols offers magnificent eye-candy via lush photos, gold inking, illustrations, charts and accessible descriptions. As a reference book for writers, researchers, artists or the insanely curious, this book provides extraordinary insights into the patterns, archetypes and symbols found throughout history and modern surrounds. -- Janet Boyer, author of The Back in Time Tarot Book

### ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ It's a fact!
*by C***Y on January 27, 2012*

It's a fact that this book is amazing! I have never found a book that covers so much information without making you feel overwhelmed. From the moment that I found this on this site, I was excited about getting my hands on it. I was running to the mailbox every day for a week! Needless to say, all of that waiting was worth it. When I got my hands on it, I could not put it down. I was amazed! I had never realized how much meaning was behind the objects I never once considered full of any kind of meaning. This book covers a broad range of topics from animals, flowers, personal objects (rings, lipstick, etc), to body parts and so much more. You will truly be amazed at all the information that lies within the cover of this book. I will admit, I have had this book for a couple of years now and I still have not finished it, but that isn't for a lack of trying. I just can't get enough of what I have already learned. I keep going back to re-read and then read a bit more. This is one of my favorite books by far! I highly recommend it to anyone interested in learning about the history and background of some of the most basic and overlooked things! If you are considering as to whether or not to buy this book, then buy it! I assure you that you will not be disappointed!

### ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Signs and symbols book
*by N***L on January 17, 2026*

Fast and Easy Transaction. Excellent book. I recommend this seller

## Frequently Bought Together

- Signs and Symbols: An Illustrated Guide to Their Origins and Meanings (DK Compact Culture Guides)
- A History of Magic, Witchcraft, and the Occult (DK A History of)
- Myths and Legends: An Illustrated Guide to Their Origins and Meanings (DK Compact Culture Guides)

---

## Why Shop on Desertcart?

- 🛒 **Trusted by 1.3+ Million Shoppers** — Serving international shoppers since 2016
- 🌍 **Shop Globally** — Access 737+ million products across 21 categories
- 💰 **No Hidden Fees** — All customs, duties, and taxes included in the price
- 🔄 **15-Day Free Returns** — Hassle-free returns (30 days for PRO members)
- 🔒 **Secure Payments** — Trusted payment options with buyer protection
- ⭐ **TrustPilot Rated 4.5/5** — Based on 8,000+ happy customer reviews

**Shop now:** [https://www.desertcart.dk/products/3852979-signs-and-symbols-an-illustrated-guide-to-their-origins-meanings](https://www.desertcart.dk/products/3852979-signs-and-symbols-an-illustrated-guide-to-their-origins-meanings)

---

*Product available on Desertcart Denmark*
*Store origin: DK*
*Last updated: 2026-03-05*