Rekha Rao

The Dictionary of Indus Symbols Rekha Rao

This book is a new approach for creating a categorized understanding of Indus seal symbols. Two hundredand sixty-two symbols have been analyzed in this book along with their geometric constructions whereapplicable. Each symbol has a unique definition, the interpretation of which is such that they hold themeaning regardless of the seals they appear in. In addition, the research considers the sequence of symbolsand its implications on the meaning of seals. This attempt at creating a dictionary for Indus seals based onVedic rituals can be used to interpret many more seals. Several themes such as the purpose of making the seals, the class of people using them, and the geometricalperfections that were adopted while structuring some of the symbols have been analyzed. The book alsostudies the numerous variations in symbols and addresses why it is hard to find identical seals. The seals portrayed on a two-inch stone piece could have been for ease of handling, transportation andstorage as reference documents for practitioners involved in Vedic rituals. It could also have served thepurpose of avoiding mistakes during recitation and ritual procedures at a time when script was non-existent.