Ariadne's Clue: A Guide to the Symbols of Humankind
Language: English
Published by Princeton University Press, Princeton, NJ, 2001
- Softcover
- Used
Seller: Wombat's Book Nook, Yarraville, VIC, AustraliaWombat's Book Nook
AbeBooks seller since December 15, 2025
Condition: Used - Good
£ 32.16
Quantity: 1 available
Add to basketItem description from seller
This insightful paperback edition of *Ariadne's Clue: A Guide to the Symbols of Humankind* by distinguished analyst and psychiatrist Anthony Stevens is presented in Good condition. Symbolism, the most powerful and ancient means of communication, forms the core of this comprehensive study, exploring how humankind has expressed its preoccupations through myths, stories, religions, and dreams across centuries.Stevens takes the ideas of C. G. Jung a stage further, asserting an innate symbol-forming propensity that is a creative and integral part of our psychic make-up. He argues that this capacity evolved as a result of selection pressures, serving an adaptive function by promoting our grasp on reality and often correcting deficient modes of psychological functioning through dreams.The book is intelligently structured into two parts: an interpretive section dedicated to symbols in general, and a substantial 'dictionary' that meticulously lists hundreds of symbols. This dictionary delves into their origins, resemblances to other symbols, and the belief systems underpinning them, categorized under "The Physical Environment," "Culture and Psyche," "People, Animals, and Plants," and "The Body." Many of these symbols are brought to life by a rich variety of integrated woodcut illustrations throughout the text.From the ancient serpent to the archetypal masculine and feminine, from the earth to the stars, and from primordial savannahs to the mysterious depths of the sea, Stevens expertly traces a host of common symbols back through time. He reveals their psychodynamic functioning and their profound, deep-rooted effects on the lives of modern men, women, and children. A vital resource for anyone interested in psychology, mythology, anthropology, and the enduring power of symbols.…
Seller Inventory # SCAN-12-5B80B227
- Title
- Ariadne's Clue: A Guide to the Symbols of Humankind
- Author
- Stevens, Anthony
- Publisher
- Princeton University Press, Princeton, NJ
- Publication year
- 2001
- Condition
- Good
- Binding
- Paperback
- Language
- English
- ISBN 10
- 0691086613
- ISBN 13
- 9780691086613
- Item weight
- 700 grams
- Seller catalogs
- Psychology
Symbolism is the most powerful and ancient means of communication available to humankind. For centuries people have expressed their preoccupations and concerns through symbolism in the form of myths, stories, religions, and dreams. The meaning of symbols has long been debated among philosophers, antiquarians, theologians, and, more recently, anthropologists and psychologists. In Ariadne's Clue, distinguished analyst and psychiatrist Anthony Stevens explores the nature of symbols and explains how and why we create the symbols we do.
The book is divided into two parts: an interpretive section that concerns symbols in general and a "dictionary" that lists hundreds of symbols and explains their origins, their resemblances to other symbols, and the belief systems behind them. In the first section, Stevens takes the ideas of C. G. Jung a stage further, asserting not only that we possess an innate symbol-forming propensity that exists as a creative and integral part of our psychic make-up, but also that the human mind evolved this capacity as a result of selection pressures encountered by our species in the course of its evolutionary history. Stevens argues that symbol formation has an adaptive function: it promotes our grasp on reality and in dreams often corrects deficient modes of psychological functioning. In the second section, Stevens examines symbols under four headings: "The Physical Environment," "Culture and Psyche," "People, Animals, and Plants," and "The Body." Many of the symbols are illustrated in the book's rich variety of woodcuts. From the ancient symbol of the serpent to the archetypal masculine and feminine, from the earth to the stars, from the primordial landscape of the savannah to the mysterious depths of the sea, Stevens traces a host of common symbols back through time to reveal their psychodynamic functioning and looks at their deep-rooted effects on the lives of modern men, women, and children.
"Synopsis" may belong to another edition of this title.
About the Author
"About the title" may belong to another edition of this title.
Wombat's Book Nook
Yarraville, VIC, Australia
AbeBooks seller since December 15, 2025
Shipping rates from Australia to U.S.A.
| Item | 25 to 45 business days | 8 to 14 business days |
|---|---|---|
| First item | £ 26.61 | £ 41.40 |
Payment methods
Store description
Avid eclectic bibliophile for most of my life, getting older now and it's time to let my collection move on to their next guardian(s) so they can continue to be enjoyed. Enjoy browsing through my collection and hopefully you'll find something that piques your interest.
Specialty
Non-Fiction, Collectables, Reference, Rare, AntiqueSeller's business information
Wombat's Book Nook
VIC, Australia
Right of withdrawal
If you are a consumer you can withdraw from the contract in accordance with the following. Consumer means any natural person who is acting for purposes which are outside his trade, business, craft or profession.
Information regarding the right of withdrawal
Statutory right to withdraw
You have the right to withdraw from this contract within 14 days without giving any reason.
The withdrawal period will expire after 14 days from the day on which you acquire, or a third party other than the carrier and indicated by you acquires, physical possession of the last good or the last lot or piece.
To exercise the right of withdrawal, electronically fill in and submit a clear statement on our website, under "My Purchases" in "My Account". We will communicate to you an acknowledgement of receipt of such a withdrawal on a durable medium (e.g. by e-mail) without delay.
To meet the withdrawal deadline, it is sufficient for you to send your communication concerning your exercise of the right of withdrawal before the withdrawal period has expired.
Effects of withdrawal
If you withdraw from this contract, we will reimburse to you all payments received from you, including the costs of delivery (except for the supplementary costs arising if you chose a type of delivery other than the least expensive type of standard delivery offered by us).
We may make a deduction from the reimbursement for loss in value of any goods supplied, if the loss is the result of unnecessary handling by you.
We will make the reimbursement without undue delay, and not later than 14 days after the day on which we are informed about your decision to withdraw from this contract.
We will make the reimbursement using the same means of payment as you used for the initial transaction, unless you have expressly agreed otherwise; in any event, you will not incur any fees as a result of such reimbursement.
We may withhold reimbursement until we have received the goods back, or you have supplied evidence of having sent back the goods, whichever is the earliest.
You shall send back the goods or hand them over to Wombat's Book Nook, Yarraville, Victoria, Australia, without undue delay and in any event not later than 14 days from the day on which you communicate your withdrawal from this contract to us. The deadline is met if you send back the goods before the period of 14 days has expired. You will have to bear the direct cost of returning the goods. You are only liable for any diminished value of the goods resulting from the handling other than what is necessary to establish the nature, characteristics and functioning of the goods.
Exceptions to the right of withdrawal
The right of withdrawal does not apply to:
- The delivery of newspapers, journals or magazines with the exception of subscription contracts; and
- The supply of digital content which is not supplied on a tangible medium (e.g. on a CD or DVD) if you accepted when you placed your order that we could start to deliver it, and that you could not withdraw once delivery had started.