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Alchemy Symbols

Alchemical symbols were used to denote elements and compounds until the 18th century. Some common symbols included representations of the seven metals of alchemy - gold, silver, mercury, copper, lead, iron, and tin. Symbols were also used to represent the four basic elements of fire, water, earth, and air, as well as other substances like antimony, arsenic, bismuth, magnesium, phosphorus, platinum, potassium, sulfur, zinc, salt, and diamond. The symbols and their meanings often derived from astrological and mystical interpretations.

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Jose Vitor Batista
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939 views3 pages

Alchemy Symbols

Alchemical symbols were used to denote elements and compounds until the 18th century. Some common symbols included representations of the seven metals of alchemy - gold, silver, mercury, copper, lead, iron, and tin. Symbols were also used to represent the four basic elements of fire, water, earth, and air, as well as other substances like antimony, arsenic, bismuth, magnesium, phosphorus, platinum, potassium, sulfur, zinc, salt, and diamond. The symbols and their meanings often derived from astrological and mystical interpretations.

Uploaded by

Jose Vitor Batista
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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Alchemy Symbols

Alchemical symbols, originally devised as part of the protoscience of alchemy, were used to denote some elements and some compounds until
the 18th century. Note that while notation like this was mostly standardized, style and symbol varied between alchemists, so this page of
alchemy symbols lists the most common.

The art of alchemy was handed down through the centuries from Egypt and Arabia to Greece and Rome, and finally to western and central
Europe. The word is derived from the Arabian phrase "al-kimia," which refers to the preparation of the Stone or Elixir by the Egyptians. The
Arabic root "kimia" comes from the Coptic "khem" that alluded to the fertile black soil of the Nile delta.

Here are some of the most common alchemy symbols:

Antimony-The metal antimony symbolizes the Arsenic was widely used by early alchemists
animal nature or wild spirit of man and nature, and was also sometimes represented by the
and it was often symbolized by the wolf. image of a swan.

Bismuth-Although Copper is one of the


mentioned in alchemical seven metals of alchemy
texts it is uncertain what (gold, silver, mercury,
role Bismuth played in copper, lead, iron & tin).
alchemical processes.

Iron is one of the seven


Gold is one of the seven metals of alchemy metals of alchemy (gold,
(gold, silver, mercury, copper, lead, iron & tin).
For the alchemist, it represented the perfection silver, mercury, copper,
of all matter on any level, including that of the
mind, spirit, and soul. The symbol for gold could
lead, iron & tin). The
also be used to represent the sun in astrology. symbol for iron could also
be used to represent the planet Mars in
astrology.

Lead is the first and


oldest of the seven Magnesium- Alchemists used 'Magnesia alba'
(literally "white magnesia") which was
metals of alchemy (gold, magnesium carbonate (MgCO3), also known as
'mild magnesian earth.'
silver, mercury, copper,
lead, iron & tin). The
symbol for lead was also used to
represent the planet Saturn in astrology.
Mercury, called quicksilver by the ancients was
used to make red mercuric oxide by heating the
element in a solution of nitric acid. The reaction Phosphorus-Alchemists often used light as a
of quicksilver in nitric acid is striking as a thick symbol of the spirit, therefore they were
red vapor hovers over the surface and bright red especially interested in light that seemed to be
crystals precipitate to the bottom. Alchemists trapped in matter such as phosphorus.
were convinced that mercury transcended both
the solid and liquid states, both earth and
heaven, both life and death.
Mercury is one of the seven metals of alchemy (gold, silver, mercury,
copper, lead, iron & tin). The symbol for mercury could also be used to
represent the planet of the same name in astrology. The metal is often
also represented by a serpent or snake.

Platiunum-Alchemists Potash (potassium


believed platinum to be carbonate) was widely
an amalgamation of gold used in alchemical
and silver. processes.

Silver is one of the seven Sulfur is one of the three heavenly substances
metals of alchemy (gold, (sulfur, mercury & salt). It was widely used in
alchemical pratice.
silver, mercury, copper,
lead, iron & tin). The
symbol for silver is also
associated wth the moon in astrology.

Tin is one of the seven metals of alchemy (gold, Zinc-Philosophers' wool, or nix alba (white
silver, mercury, copper, lead, iron & tin). The snow) was zinc oxide made by burning zinc in
symbol for tin could also be used to represent air.
the planet Jupiter in astrology.

Salt is the third heavenly substance in alchemy,


the other two being Mercury and Sulphur. This
mineral has been held sacred and been a
prominent religious and social symbol since the
very beginning of the human race. It is
representative of friendship, brotherhood,
incorruption and purity. It is symbolic of the
good things in life and also represents wit and
sarcasm.
Diamond

Diamond is a powerful symbol that the alchemists have


associated with refracting light. The shine and sparkle of
the diamond is representative of vision, clarity, awareness,
understanding and keen perception. As such, it denotes the
journey that the human soul takes in the pursuit of the
divine truth and attainment of higher enlightenment. The
facets and angles of the diamond symbolize that this
journey will involve walking along a labyrinth-like path that
has a number of twists and turns. Everyone living with
honorable intents will succeed in achieving the light or
knowledge they seek.

The Four Basic Elements

Symbol for Fire

Symbol for Water

Symbol for Earth

Symbol for Air

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