The language of the goddess : unearthing the hidden symbols of western civilization

Gimbutas, Marija, 1921-1994

San Francisco: Harper & Row, 1989. Hardcover. Black embossed cover. illustrated DJ. xxiii, 388 pages, 8 unnumbered pages of plates : illustrations (some color). VG. Item #179662
ISBN: 0062503561

History of religious symbols about the dominance of the Great Goddess based on archeological finds and art. Contents as follows: Part I. Life-giving -- ch. 1. Chevron and V as bird goddess symbols -- ch. 2. Zig-zag and M sign -- ch. 3. Meander and waterbirds -- ch. 4. Breasts of the bird goddess -- ch. 5. Streams -- ch. 6. Eyes of the goddess -- ch. 7. Open mouth/beak of the goddess -- ch. 8. Giver of crafts: associations with spinning, weaving, metallurgy, and musical instruments -- ch. 9. The ram, animal of the bird goddess -- ch. 10. Net motif -- ch. 11. Tri-line and power of three -- ch. 12. Vulva and birth -- ch. 13. Deer and bear as primeval mothers -- ch. 14. Snake -- Part II. The renewing and eternal earth -- ch. 15. Earth mother -- ch. 16. Power of two -- ch. 17. Male gods and Daimones -- Part III. Death and regeneration -- ch. 18. Symbols of death -- ch. 19. Egg -- ch. 20. Columns of life -- ch. 21. Regenerative vulva: triangle, hourglass, and bird's claws -- ch. 22. Ship of renewal -- ch. 23. Frog, hedgehog, and fish -- ch. 24. Bull, bee, and butterfly -- Part. IV. Energy and unfolding -- ch. 25. Spiral, lunar cycle, snake coil, hook and axe -- ch. 26. Opposed spirals, whirls, comb, brush, and animal whirls -- ch. 27. Hands and feet of the goddess -- ch. 28. Standing stones and circles -- Conclusons. 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.