"Stevens has a unique capacity for relating myths and symbols to the way our psyches function today, thus bringing symbols alive rather than dismissing them as historical curiosities. He is also a stylish writer, and is able to link his conclusions from a variety of fields into a consistent, readable whole."--Anthony Storr, University of Oxford
Inhaltsverzeichnis
Contents Acknowledgements vii About This Book ix PART I SYMBOLISM, EVOLUTION, AND PSYCHOLOGY 1 Ariadne's Clue 3 2 What is a Symbol? 12 3 The Evolution of Meaning 22 4 How Do SymbolsWork? 36 5 Basic Symbolic Themes 45 6 The Conjunction of Heaven and Earth 62 7 Living the Symbolic Life 77 PART II THE EXPLANATORY THESAURUS 1 The Physical Environment 97 i Landscape 99 ii The psychic Compass 116 iii The Four Elements 123 iv alchemy 132 v Celestial Bodies 134 vi Colours 146 vii Buildings 150 viii Migration 1154 2 Culture and Psyche 161 i Religion and the Sacred 1170 ii Gods, Goddesses, and Demons 173 iii Creation Myths 195 iv Paradise and the Fall 200 v Heroes and Heroines 208 vi Initiation, Male and Female 2. 16 vii Eros and Psyche 220 viii Individuation and Transcendence 235 ix Death and Rebirth 256 x Morality 262 xi Sickness and Healing Z74 xii Tools, Weapons, Utensils, and Musical Instruments 280 xiii Transport 2911 xiv Performance and Ritual 298 3 People, Animals, and Plants 305 i Sex, Gender, Bonding, and Childrearing 306 ii Power: Dominance and Submission 323 iii Animals 332- iv Monsters and Fabulous Beasts 367 v Plants, Fruits, and Trees 379 4 The Body 395 i Adornment, Clothes, and Nudity 396 ii Parts of the Body 401 iii Physical Activities 415 Bibliography 423 Glossary 433 General Index 439 Symbol Index
