The volume is the first one in the series Studies in Sociology Symbols Theory and Society. The authors from Australia Finland Germany Poland the United Kingdom and the United States of America who contributed to it are sociologists bound by a conviction that the study of the social context of making use of symbols cannot be underestimated. Conception of symbolism as a social phenomenon and not an autonomous semiotic system is of their common interest and a symbolic interactionist perspective is apparent in many texts. The readiness to trespass the boundaries of various approaches and disciplines is noticeable. The volume is divided into three parts Symbols and Society. Theoretical Perspectives Political Discourse and Symbolic Action Religious Symbolism and Power. Symbolism of discourses symbolic objects and symbolic actions are three intrinsically related domains that were studied.