"It is a most entrancing story that Mr. Harold Bayley unfolds in this copiously illustrated volume."- The Nation. "Mr. Bayley's pages have all the fascination of a tale of mystery as well as the strength of a logical treatise.
DIVThis remarkable book reveals the hidden meaning behind familiar images and words, from the origins of Santa Claus to the fleur-de-lys, drawing from mythology, folklore, religious texts, and fairy tales. 1,418 illustrations. /div
Bayley's enquiries are varied and eclectic, with topics ranging from the life of the ancient king Solomon, to the popular fairy story Cinderella, to the works of Renaissance scholar Comenius.
An Inquiry into the Origin of Certain Letters, Words, Names, Fairy Tales, Folklore, and Mythologies. Bayley spent years gathering knowledge of symbols and emblems from many different areas.