The Book of Signs

The Book of Signs by Rudolf Koch is a comprehensive guide to the symbolism and meaning behind various signs and symbols. It covers a wide range of topics, including religious symbols, astrological signs, heraldic emblems, and more. The book is organized into chapters based on different categories of signs, with each chapter providing detailed explanations and illustrations of the various symbols within that category. The author also explores the historical and cultural significance of each symbol, as well as its use in art and design. This book is a valuable resource for anyone interested in understanding the deeper meaning behind the signs and symbols that surround us in daily life.1930. This work contains 493 of all manner of symbols used from the earliest times to the middle ages by primitive peoples and early Christians. This scarce antiquarian book is a facsimile reprint of the old original and may contain some imperfections such as library marks and notations. Because we believe this work is culturally important, we have made it available as part of our commitment for protecting, preserving, and promoting the world's literature in affordable, high quality, modern editions, that are true to their original work.

This unusual collection of primitive and medieval symbols provides one of the most fertile single sources of decorative ideas available today. It is also a graphic history of the development of written communication and offers a singular insight into the psychology of the primitive mind.
The Book of Signs contains 493 classified and documented illustrations, collected, drawn, and explained by the celebrated typographer Rudolf Koch. Divided into 14 different categories, it includes General Signs, The Cross, Monogram of Christ, Other Christian Signs, Monograms of Medieval Church and State Leaders, Stone Masons' Signs, The Four Elements, Astronomical Signs, Astrological Signs, Botanical Signs, Chemical Signs, House and Holding Marks, Miscellany, and Runes.
"Provides the contemporary artist with a rich design vocabulary on which to improvise."—Art in Focus.
"An inspiration to graphic artists everywhere."—Graphis.
"An artistic and typographical achievement of considerable beauty and worth."—Psychiatric Quarterly.
Unabridged republication of the English translation originally published by the First Edition Club of London, 1930.