The living energies and beings in Nature were metaphorically drawn into their retorts, as they began to picture the living alchemical processes through animal symbols.

Jan 31, 2024 · Animals as alchemical symbols. In alchemy, birds often appear as symbols. Their most striking characteristic is certainly flight, but also the element of air in which they mostly reside. They can fly, just like the human soul, and mediate between the earthly and heavenly world, between matter and spirit.

Animal alchemy symbols play an important role in society. Those who take part in its claim to complete at least one of the following tasks: create the philosopher’s stone, change base metals into gold and silver, and/or develop an elixir of life that promotes longevity and youth.

The foetus, hidden in BOREAS’ womb, Shall one day rise up, living, to the light; He only shall surpass all heroes’ deeds With art, with hand, with body’s strength and mind. Let yours not be a Coeso, an abortion , An Agrippa, but born beneath good stars.

For example, there is a considerable use of animal symbolism, the green lion, the black toad, the double headed-eagle, the serpent seizing its tail - various human figures, the old dying king, the white queen, the knight - as well as stylised forms of apparatus in which these figures interact.

In this article I wish to consider a particularly tight knit group of these animal symbols, the birds of alchemy - the Black Crow, White Swan, Peacock, Pelican, and Phoenix - which are descriptive of certain stages of the alchemical process.

Animals are considered as totems and spiritual guides from the ancient times; and alchemy sure used the symbolism of animals to depict the various mysteries they stood for. Given below are some of the popular and traditional animal symbols used in the craft.

Jan 14, 2024 · Birds In Alchemy. In alchemical texts we encounter a seemingly puzzling variety of animal symbols - red lions, white eagles, deer, unicorns, winged dragons and snakes.

The University of Chicago’s Online Library: This website offers a comprehensive overview of alchemy symbols, including their history, meanings, and usage. It also provides a collection of images and illustrations.

May 25, 2019 · Here are some of the most common alchemy symbols and their meanings: Alchemy symbol for the element of Earth. The symbols for earth, air, fire, and water were fairly consistent among alchemists. Each symbol is a triangle. Earth is indicated by a downward-pointing triangle crossed by a horizontal bar.