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The language of the goddess : unearthing the hidden symbols of western civilization / Marija Gimbutas ; [foreword by Joseph Campbell].

By: Contributor(s): Publication details: London : Thames & Hudson, 2001, c1999.Description: xxiii, 388p. : ill. ; 24 cmISBN:
  • 0500282498 (pbk.)
Subject(s):
Contents:
I. Life-giving: Chevron and V as bird goddess symbols -- Zig-zag and M sign -- Meander and waterbirds -- Breasts of the bird goddess -- Streams -- Eyes of the goddess -- Open mouth/beak of the goddess -- Giver of crafts: associations with spinning, weaving, metallurgy, and musical instrumets -- The ram, animal of the bird goddess -- Net motif -- Tri-line and power of three -- Vulva and birth -- Deer and bear as Primeval mothers -- Snake -- II. The renewing and eternal earth: Earth mother -- Power of twos -- Male gods and daimones -- III. Death and regeneration: Symbols of death -- Egg -- Columns of life -- Regenerative vulva: triangle, hourglass and bird's claws -- Ship of renewal -- Frog, hedgehog, and fish -- Bull, bee, and betterfly -- IV. Energy and unfolding: :Spiral, Lunar cycle, snake coil, hook and axe -- Opposed spirals, whirls, comb, brush, and arimal whirls -- Hands and feet of the goddess -- Standing stones and circles -- Conclusions: The place and function of the goddess -- Continuity and transformation of the goddess in the Indo-European and Christian eras -- The world view of the culture of the goddess -- Glossary of symbols -- Tyhpes of goddesses and gods -- Summary of functions and images of the Neolithic Great Goddess -- Chronologies -- Maps.

Originally published: 1989.

Includes bibliographical references and index.

I. Life-giving: Chevron and V as bird goddess symbols -- Zig-zag and M sign -- Meander and waterbirds -- Breasts of the bird goddess -- Streams -- Eyes of the goddess -- Open mouth/beak of the goddess -- Giver of crafts: associations with spinning, weaving, metallurgy, and musical instrumets -- The ram, animal of the bird goddess -- Net motif -- Tri-line and power of three -- Vulva and birth -- Deer and bear as Primeval mothers -- Snake -- II. The renewing and eternal earth: Earth mother -- Power of twos -- Male gods and daimones -- III. Death and regeneration: Symbols of death -- Egg -- Columns of life -- Regenerative vulva: triangle, hourglass and bird's claws -- Ship of renewal -- Frog, hedgehog, and fish -- Bull, bee, and betterfly -- IV. Energy and unfolding: :Spiral, Lunar cycle, snake coil, hook and axe -- Opposed spirals, whirls, comb, brush, and arimal whirls -- Hands and feet of the goddess -- Standing stones and circles -- Conclusions: The place and function of the goddess -- Continuity and transformation of the goddess in the Indo-European and Christian eras -- The world view of the culture of the goddess -- Glossary of symbols -- Tyhpes of goddesses and gods -- Summary of functions and images of the Neolithic Great Goddess -- Chronologies -- Maps.