Alchemy Symbols
 Antimony-The
metal antimony symbolizes the animal nature or wild spirit of man and nature, and it was
often symbolized by the wolf. |
 Arsenic was
widely used by early alchemists and was also sometimes represented by the image of a swan.
|
 Bismuth-Although
mentioned in alchemical texts it is uncertain what role Bismuth played in alchemical
processes.
|
 Copper
is one of the seven metals of alchemy (gold, silver, mercury, copper, lead, iron &
tin). |
 Gold is one of the seven metals
of alchemy (gold, silver, mercury, copper, lead, iron & tin). For the alchemist, it
represented the perfection of all matter on any level, including that of the mind, spirit,
and soul. The symbol for gold could also be used to represent the sun in astrology. |
 Iron
is one of the seven metals of alchemy (gold, silver, mercury, copper, lead, iron &
tin). The symbol for iron could also be used to represent the planet Mars in astrology.
|
 Lead is the first and
oldest of the seven metals of alchemy (gold, silver, mercury, copper, lead, iron &
tin). The symbol for lead was also used to represent the planet Saturn in astrology. |
 Magnesium-
Alchemists used 'Magnesia alba' (literally "white magnesia") which was magnesium
carbonate (MgCO3), also known as 'mild magnesian earth.' |
 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 of quicksilver in nitric acid is
striking as a thick red vapor hovers over the surface and bright red crystals precipitate
to the bottom. Alchemists 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. |
 Phosphorus-Alchemists
often used light as a symbol of the spirit, therefore they were especially interested in
light that seemed to be trapped in matter such as phosphorus. |
 Platiunum-Alchemists
believed platinum to be an amalgamation of gold and silver. |
 Potash
(potassium carbonate) was widely used in alchemical processes. |
 Silver
is one of the seven metals of alchemy (gold, silver, mercury, copper, lead, iron &
tin). The symbol for silver is also associated wth the moon in astrology. |
 Sulfur is
one of the three heavenly substances (sulfur, mercury & salt). It was widely used in
alchemical pratice. |
 Tin is one of the seven metals
of alchemy (gold, silver, mercury, copper, lead, iron & tin). The symbol for tin could
also be used to represent the planet Jupiter in astrology. |
 Zinc-Philosophers' wool, or nix
alba (white snow) was zinc oxide made by burning zinc in air. |
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