Many historians have succumbed to the temptation of assuming that the early modern term "chemistry" referred to something like the modern discipline, while supposing that "alchemy" pertained to a different set of practices and beliefs, predominantly the art of transmuting base metals into gold. This rare element does not react chemically as a metal, spiritually it symbolizes wild nature like that of an animal found in each of us which is waiting to be unleashed.The parallel usage of the two terms "alchemy" and "chemistry" by seventeenth-century writers has engendered considerable confusion among historians of science. It’s a lustrous, silvery gray metal and a poor conductor of heat and electricity. This element is from the metalloid group of elements, the name is derived from the Greek words anti and monos which means a metal not found alone. Given below are the popular elements used in the craft. Zinc was used to make Philosopher’s wool or also known as nix alba (white snow) by burning zinc in air. Tin was considered to represent the planet Jupiter and was associated with breathing in alchemy. Platinum has rust-resistant, malleable and ductile properties, it’s considered as an endurable alchemy element.
Phosphorus was considered as colorless and transparent and has rapid ignition properties, this element symbolized spiritual enlightenment. This element was mainly considered to symbolize eternity, eternal flame, and ascension. Some elements like Magnesium were considered as slow ignitors and extinguishers. There are numerous elements used in the craft of alchemy to create the base element gold, these elements had both physical and philosophical representation for the alchemists. Given below are some of the important ancient symbols used in the craft. Hence the need to encrypt the hidden meanings and inventions through various mystic symbolism was created. In 1403, Henry IV of England banned the practice of using multiple metals to create the base metal gold as it had proved to be an unfruitful discovery. The church popularized it as heresy and an offense punishable through death sentence. The need to give symbolism in alchemy was that it was considered as a forbidden craft, practicing which could land the alchemist in a death trap. Following are some of the important symbols in terms of alchemy. Mostly symbols of planets, elements and animals were used to mention or create a new idea. Symbols were seen as part of a whole emblem and an emblem was the core of a complex process. In ancient times, the quest to create the magical Philosopher’s Stone – the divine elixir which was believed to have the power to change anything to gold and that carried magical properties of imparting immortality to humans, escalated the alchemist activities and the study of alchemy.Īlchemy is defined as “A medieval chemical science and speculative philosophy aiming to achieve the transmutation of the base metals into gold, the discovery of a universal cure for disease, and the discovery of a means of indefinitely prolonging life.” In alchemy, it was mandatory to use symbols to represent an idea, and individual alchemists used different symbols to depict one idea.
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