These are excellent for historical, mythological, and psychological perspectives on symbols:
“The Book of Symbols” – Taschen: A visually rich, encyclopaedic guide to symbols across cultures, with essays exploring their deeper meanings.
“Man and His Symbols” – Carl Jung: A classic exploring archetypes, the collective unconscious, and how symbols shape art and myth.
“Dictionary of Symbols” – Jean Chevalier & Alain Gheerbrant: Comprehensive reference work detailing thousands of symbols from different traditions.
“Symbols and Their Meaning” – Jack Tresidder: A more concise, accessible guide ideal for quick reference in writing or blogging.
“The Hero with a Thousand Faces” – Joseph Campbell: Focuses on mythic structure and symbolic storytelling — a must-read for narrative-based art.
“Symbolism: A Comprehensive Dictionary” – Steven Olderr: Great for cross-referencing cultural variations of the same symbol.
Quick Inspiration & Visual Exploration
These are great for blog research, sourcing visuals, or linking for readers:
Symbolikon – Illustrated compendium of ancient symbols with historical context and meanings.
Symbols.com – A searchable database of over 1,500 symbols with origins and uses.
Ancient Symbols – Easy-to-navigate explanations of mythological and esoteric symbols.
Mythopedia – Fantastic for mythological stories behind symbols and deities.
Theoi Project – Focused on Greek mythology but rich in symbolism, imagery, and classical references.
Britannica: Symbolism Portal – Reliable encyclopaedic summaries on symbolism and its historical significance.
Academic & Scholarly Resources
If you want to go beyond surface meanings into cultural, religious, or psychological significance:
JSTOR (https://www.jstor.org) – Search terms like symbolism in art, semiotics, or religious iconography.
Project MUSE – Great for essays on myth, religion, and art history.
Internet Sacred Text Archive (https://www.sacred-texts.com) – Ancient texts full of original symbolic language and imagery.
Perseus Digital Library – Classical literature and primary sources to trace symbol origins.
Art & Visual Symbolism Resources
For examples of how artists use symbols in practice:
Smarthistory (https://smarthistory.org) – Essays and videos analysing symbolism in art movements.
Google Arts & Culture – Search specific symbols (e.g. “serpent”, “halo”, “tree of life”) to see how they’re depicted across centuries.
Met Museum Heilbrunn Timeline – Excellent essays on symbols and iconography from art history.