A multi-purpose reference work, providing the key to the hidden meanings in Egyptian art: an encyclopaedia of the major signs and symbols, a visual compendium of artistic motifs, a sourcebook of Egyptian religious beliefs and ideas.

The hieroglyphs are thematically organized and include:

seated man * seated god * woman nursing child * wedjat eye * ear * breast * bull * cow * cat * lion * foreleg of ox * heart * falcon * vulture * ibis * wing * feather * crocodile * frog * scarab beetle * bee * tree * palm branch * lotus * sky * sun * star * djed column * fetish of Abydos * gold * ankh * fan * bow * knife * cartouche * Isis knot * board game * sistrum

A full reference section is also provided, with a complete list of the hieroglyphs, a glossary and a guide to further reading.