A DICTIONARY OF SYMBOLS

| A | B | C | D | E | F | G | H | I | J | K | L | M | N | O | P | Q | R | S | T | U | V | W | X | Y | Z |

B
Bird Feeding Young.—After a time of patient waiting, your desires will be fulfilled.

Bird of Paradise.—Difficulties and trials are vanishing and a future of comfort and pleasure awaits you.

Bird on a Perch.—If near consultant, news resulting in pleasant plans; if at some distance, there is a doubt of the news being sent.

Birds.—These are significant of happiness and joyful tidings; a single bird flying means speedy news, telegrams; birds in a row on a branch or line show that there will be vexatious delay in receiving some wished-for news; birds in a circle denote cogitation followed by swift decision. See also Clapper for Scaring Birds and Stuffed Birds.

Birds in Cage.—This implies that a variety of causes prevents you from obtaining your dearest wish; should the cage door be open, obstacles will shortly be removed and great happiness will be yours.

Bird's Nest.—This signifies a happy discovery, leading to a fortunate enterprise brought about to a great extent by your own patience and ability; it is also a good omen of love, friends, and increase of fortune.

Biscuits.—These seen in various shapes and sizes foretell the occurrence of pleasant events.

Bishop.—A sign of benevolence, authority, and progress; in cope and mitre, preferment and honour.

Bluebells.—These indicate that an event bringing you much satisfaction and pleasure may be expected to take place in the spring.

Bluebottle Fly.—Unpleasantness and jealousy will be aroused by your success.

Boar.—This animal shows much energy and push though not always in the right direction to bring you unqualified success; it is also a sign of obstacles in your path.

Boat.—Success in a new enterprise; seen with clouds, troubles and disappointment. See also Ferryboat.
Bomb.—This foretells a personal disaster or news of an explosion and loss of life.

Bones.—These are an indication of misfortune surmounted with courage.

Bonnet.—This implies that youth will be past before you have the best happiness of your life. See also Widow's Bonnet.

Book.—An open book shows a desire for information and a mind ever on the alert to understand new theories and facts; a closed book is a sign of expectancy.

Bookcase.—This is a pleasing symbol of coming success through study and perseverance.

Boomerang.—This sign means news from Australia, or that some unexpected development will lead to your having a great interest in that country; with signs of travel, that you will make your home there.

Bootblack.—A bootblack is a sign of failure in your work.

Boots.—These show fortunate business, a good income, and the gratification of your tastes and pleasures; boots of a curious shape foretell an unfortunate enterprise ending in failure.

Boot-tree.—A lucky surprise.

Border.—See Flower Border.

Bottle.—A sign of happy days; several bottles indicate extravagant tastes; small bottles, illness.

Bouquet.—This is a most fortunate symbol of coming happiness, love, fulfilled hope, and marriage.
Bow.—A sign of reunion after absence or estrangement.

Bow and Arrow.—This denotes that there is unpleasant talk of your personal affairs which may do you harm.

Bower.—Happiness in love is proclaimed by this symbol.

Box.—An open box foreshows a troubled love affair; a closed box, that you will find something which you had lost.

Boy.—This symbol must be read in accordance with other signs in the cup.

Bracelet.—A discovery made too late.

Branch.—A large branch is a sign of much independence and of success in carrying out an undertaking; the larger it is the greater your success; a broken branch signifies an attempt to organise a project or new scheme which will end in failure.

Bread.—A loaf of bread is a sign of the commonplace and of monotony; several loaves give warning against waste and extravagance, for a shortage of corn is threatened; loaves of bread with crossed swords above them predict mutiny and disaffection among those whom the world trusted.

Bricklayer's Trowel.—A task which you have in hand will be successfully carried out.

Bricks.—These signify new plans and enterprises which will lead to prosperity.

Bride.—This sign indicates a wedding, coming joy, or a rival in your affections, according to other symbols around it.

Bridge.—An advantageous opportunity; a fortunate journey. See also Suspension Bridge.

Bridle.—This points to the fact that you greatly object to interference or authority, and that you will always be "top dog" with your friends.

Brooch.—This indicates that you are likely to make a discovery greatly to your advantage, and may in time turn it to good account in the development of a patent; a brooch with dots around it predicts a present.

Broom.—This signifies that there is need for you to be careful in the choice of your friends, and to avoid rushing into an intimacy which you might later have cause to regret.

Bubbles.—See Child Blowing Soap Bubbles.

Buckles.—These foretell that some important arrangement of much personal advantage will fall through in an unforeseen manner, causing disappointment and dismay.

Buffalo.—A most unexpected and unusual happening, possibly causing agitation and uncertainty as to the best way to proceed.

Bugle.—This shows a desire for admiration and notice from all whom you meet; it also implies that it is high time to arouse yourself and become more energetic and industrious.

Building.—A sign of removal.

Bull.—An ill omen of misfortune, attacks of pain, or of slander by some enemy; if it gallops with tail up, personal danger or illness of someone dear to you.

Bumble Bee.—This shows a cheerful disposition, making the best of everyone and everything, easily gratified tastes and pleasures; many friends and social success; with other signs, travel is indicated.

Buns.—These signify social amusements and duties, also that you usually take a cheery view of things even in troublesome circumstances.

Buoy.—This is a symbol of hope; you have a good friend in all weathers

Bush.—Invitations and social enjoyments.

Butter.—This signifies good fortune and success, the comforts of life, and a desire for the best of everything.

Butterfly.—Passing pleasure, power of attraction, many admirers, and flirtations; to the lover it speaks of inconstancy.

Buttonhook.—An exchange between friends, successfully organised plans, and a propitious meeting.

Buttons.—If of various size and shape they mean that there will be many suggestions as to arrangements and new plans without anything definite being settled.