Migration of Symbols

About this book

A bird, a spiral or a sacred animal may travel farther than the people who first drew it. Donald A. Mackenzie follows ancient motifs across monuments, ornament and religious traditions, asking how symbols change as they pass between cultures.

His comparative study gathers examples from the ancient Mediterranean, Asia and elsewhere, giving close attention to designs that recur in different settings. Some of his historical connections invite caution, but the illustrated material remains absorbing. The pleasure lies in watching a familiar sign acquire different meanings as it crosses time and place.