Natural Symbols

Author: Mary Douglas
Publisher: Routledge
ISBN: 113648955X
Category : Social Science
Languages : en
Pages : 208

Book Description
First printed in 1970, Natural Symbols is Douglas' most controversial work. It represents a work of anthropology in its widest sense, exploring themes such as the social meaning of natural symbols and the image of the body in society. This work focuses on the ways in which cultures select natural symbols from the body and how every natural symbol carries a social meaning. She also introduces her grid/group theory, which she sees as a way of keeping together what the social sciences divide and separate. Bringing anthropology in to the realm of religion, Douglas enters into the ongoing debate in religious circles surrounding meaning and ritual. The book not only provides a clear explanation to four distinct attitudes to religion, but also defends hierarchical forms of religious organization and attempts to retain a balanced judgement between fundamentalism and established religion. Douglas has since extensively refined the grid/group theory and has applied it to consumer behaviour, labour movements and political parties.

Natural Symbols

Author: Mary Douglas
Publisher: Routledge
ISBN: 1134773749
Category : Social Science
Languages : en
Pages : 222

Book Description
Every natural symbol - derived from blood, breath or excrement - carries a social meaning and this work focuses on the ways in which any one culture makes its selections from body symbolism. Each person treats their body as an image of society and the author examines the varieties of ritual and symbolic expression and the patterns of social ritual in which they are embodied. Natural Symbols is a book about religion and it concerns our own society at least as much as any other. It has stimulated new insights into religious and political movements and has provoked re-appraisals of current progressive orthodoxies in many fields. As a classic, it represents a work of anthropology in its widest sense, exploring themes such as the social meaning of natural symbols and the image of the body in society which are now very much in vogue in anthropology, sociology and cultural studies. In this reissue and with a new Introduction, Natural Symbols will continue to appeal to all students of anthropology, sociology and religion.

Nature and Its Symbols

Author: Lucia Impelluso
Publisher: Getty Publications
ISBN: 9780892367726
Category : Art
Languages : en
Pages : 370

Book Description
"The Guide to Imagery series introduces readers to important visual vocabulary of Western art."--Back cover.

Natural Symbols in South East Asia

Author: G. B. Milner
Publisher: Routledge
ISBN: 1135752877
Category : History
Languages : en
Pages : 182

Book Description
First Published in 2004. Routledge is an imprint of Taylor & Francis, an informa company.

Symbols in Arts, Religion and Culture

Author: Farrin Chwalkowski
Publisher: Cambridge Scholars Publishing
ISBN: 1443857289
Category : Art
Languages : en
Pages : 620

Book Description
We are a product of nature. Every single cell of our body is made of, and depends, on nature. Our inner soul is heavily influenced by nature. We feel sad if the sun is not shining for a few days, and feel pleasure when drawn to the wonder of flowers and uplifted by the song of birds. We came from nature; we are part of nature. In short, we are nature. Nature has been an intimate part of the human experience from the earliest times. Different religions and cultures, from all corners of the world, have honoured and worshipped nature in art, ritual and literature in their own unique ways. This book shows how we learn about our own human nature, our own sense of identity and how we fit into the larger scheme of life and spirit when we come to better understand how our human ancestors, through art, symbol and myth, expressed their relationship with the natural world.

Natural Symbols

Author: Mary Douglas
Publisher: Pantheon
ISBN:
Category : Juvenile Nonfiction
Languages : en
Pages : 220

Book Description
First published in 1973 by Pelican Books, "Natural Symbols" has been revised and given a new and thoroughly updated instorduction. As a classic, it represents a work of anthropology in its widest sense, exploring themes such as the social meaning of natural symbols and the image of the body in society. This work focuses on the ways in which cultures selectnatural symbols from the body, and how every natural symbol carries a social meaning. Bringing anthropology into the realm of religion, "Natural Symbols" enters into the ongoing debate in religious circles surrounding meaning and ritual. The book not only provides a clear explanation to four distinct attitudes of religion, but defends hierarchical forms of religious organization, and attempts to retain a balanced judgment between fundamentalism and established religion.

Symbols of Native America

Author: Heike Owusu
Publisher: Sterling Publishing Company, Inc.
ISBN: 9780806963471
Category : Indians of North America
Languages : en
Pages : 324

Book Description
Over 1000 illustrations show the fascinating origins and meanings of 300 symbols and signs used by North American tribes. The magnificent variety of symbols are shown as they were used in pottery, clothing, masks, shields, totems, and other settings, carved, sewn, and painted. The collection starts with the simplest symbols--from lines, circles, and curves, to crosses, triangles, and squares--then traces their combinations into ever-more complex designs. Many symbols depict bonds with nature--particularly animals and landscape features--which appear in clan identifications, picture-writing, rituals, legends, and stories that convey heroism and wisdom. A special section explains how more than 80 different animals may have different meanings among cultures of the Southwest, Plains, Northwest Coast, Sub-Arctic North, and the Northeast. 320 pages, 150 b/w illus., 5 5/8 x 7 1/2.

Natural Symbols

Author: Professor Mary Douglas
Publisher: Routledge
ISBN: 113437951X
Category : Language Arts & Disciplines
Languages : en
Pages : 241

Book Description
First published in 1970, this classic text represents a work of anthropology in its widest sense, exploring themes such as the social meaning of natural symbols and the image of the body in society.

Implicit Meanings

Author: Professor Mary Douglas
Publisher: Psychology Press
ISBN: 9780415606738
Category : Social Science
Languages : en
Pages : 352

Book Description
Implicit Meanings was first published to great acclaim in 1975. It includes writings on the key themes which are associated with Mary Douglas' work and which have had a major influence on anthropological thought, such as food, pollution, risk, animals and myth. The papers in this text demonstrate the importance of seeking to understand beliefs and practices that are implicit and a priori within what might seem to be alien cultures.

The First Signs

Author: Genevieve von Petzinger
Publisher: Simon and Schuster
ISBN: 1476785503
Category : Art
Languages : en
Pages : 320

Book Description
"Archaeologist Genevieve von Petzinger looks past the horses, bison, ibex, and faceless humans in the ancient paintings and instead focuses on the abstract geometric images that accompany them. She offers her research on the terse symbols that appear more often than any other kinds of figures--signs that have never really been studied or explained until now"--