Foreword
Introduction
Categories of Symbols
Life-Giving
Chevron and V as Bird Goddess Symbols p. 3
Zig-Zag and M Sign p. 19
Meander and Waterbirds p. 25
Breasts of the Bird Goddess p. 31
Streams p. 43
Eyes of the Goddess p. 51
Open Mouth/Beak of the Goddess p. 63
Giver of Crafts: Associations with Spinning, Weaving, Metallurgy, and Musical Instruments p. 67
The Ram, Animal of the Bird Goddess p. 75
Net Motif p. 81
Tri-Line and Power of Three p. 89
Vulva and Birth p. 99
Deer and Bear as Primeval Mothers p. 113
Snake p. 121
The Renewing and Eternal Earth
Earth Mother p. 141
Power of Two p. 161
Male Gods and Daimones p. 175
Death and Regeneration
Symbols of Death p. 187
Egg p. 213
Columns of Life p. 221
Regenerative Vulva: Triangle, Hourglass, and Bird's Claws p. 237
Ship of Renewal p. 247
Frog, Hedgehog, and Fish p. 251
Bull, Bee, and Butterfly p. 265
Energy and Unfolding
Spiral, Lunar Cycle, Snake Coil, Hook and Axe p. 279
Opposed Spirals, Whirls, Comb, Brush, and Animal Whirls p. 293
Hands and Feet of the Goddess p. 305
Standing Stones and Circles p. 311
The Place and Function of the Goddess p. 316
Continuity and Transformation of the Goddess in the Indo-European and Christian Eras p. 318
The World View of the Culture of the Goddess p. 321
Glossary of Symbols p. 322
Types of Goddesses and Gods p. 326
Summary of Functions and Images of the Neolithic Great Goddess p. 328
Chronologies p. 330
Maps p. 337
Bibliography and References p. 354
Sources of Illustrations p. 370
Index p. 374