The art of embroidery has been practised for thousands of years. In the West, traditions have been at the mercy of trade and fashion, but in much of the rest of the world, embroidery continues to be rooted in ancient beliefs and superstitions. This beautifully illustrated book examines in detail the fascinating symbolism of the motifs and patterns that give life to these spectacular textiles. Complete with a glossary, dictionary of stitches, further reading and information on where to access public collections as well as how to collect textiles of ones own, this is an unrivalled guide for anyone interested in textiles, costume or craft.