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Alchemical Symbols
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Alchemy refers to both an early form of the investigation of nature and an early philosophical and spiritual discipline. They both combine elements of chemistry, metallurgy, physics, medicine, astrology, semiotics, mysticism, spiritualism, and art. It has been practiced in Mesopotamia, Ancient Egypt, Persia, India, and China, in Classical Greece and Rome, in Muslim civilization, and then in Europe up to the 19th century in a complex network of schools and philosophical systems spanning at least 2500 years.
Today the discipline is still active but is of interest mainly to historians of science and philosophy, and for its mystic, esoteric, and artistic aspects. Alchemy was one of the main precursors of modern sciences, and many substances and processes of ancient alchemy continue to be used by modern chemical and metallurgical industries.
Although alchemy has many aspects, it is perhaps best known in popular culture as the process used to change lead (or other elements) into gold. Another well known aspect is the search for the Philosopher's Stone, the possession of which would supposedly give a person the ability to transmute gold or to have eternal life..
Alchemical symbols, were used to denote most elements and some compounds until the 18th century. While the notation method was mostly standardized, styles and symbols varied between alchemists, this page shows the most commonly used ones, with some more recent additions used by alchemists today for substances unknown prior to the 19th century.
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Seasons
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Time Periods
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Hour |
Day |
Day and Night |
Night |
Week |
Month |
Year |
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Four Basic Elements
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Planetary Glyphs
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Planetary metals were "dominated" or "ruled" by one of the seven planets known by the ancients. Although they occasionally have a symbol of their own (see table below), they were usually symbolized by the planet's symbol. Uranus, Neptune, and Pluto were not yet discovered while Alchemy was commonly practiced, though many modern alchemists consider them representative of Uranium, Neptunium and Plutonium, respectively.
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Sol Sun Ruler of Gold |
Luna Moon Ruler of Silver |
Terra Earth |
Mercurius Mercury Ruler of Quicksilver |
Venus Ruler of Copper |
Mars Ruler of Iron |
Jupiter Ruler of Tin |
Saturnus Ruler of Lead |
Uranus |
Neptunus |
Pluto |
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Alchemical Compounds
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Amalgam |
Aqua Fortis |
Aqua Regia |
Aqua Vitae (Spirit of Wine) |
Cinnabar |
Sal Armoniac |
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12 Core Alchemical Processes
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The 12 Alchemical processes are considered to be the basis of modern Chemical processes. Each of these processes is "dominated" or "ruled" by one of the 12 Zodiac signs
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Symbol |
Zodiac Sign
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Aries |
Decomposition through Calcination |
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Leo |
Decomposition through Digestion |
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Capricorn |
Decomposition through Fermentation/Putrefaction |
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Taurus |
Modification through Congelation/Coagulation |
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Gemini |
Modification through Fixation |
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Sagittarius |
Modification through Ceration |
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Virgo |
Separation through Distillation |
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Libra |
Separation through Sublimation |
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Scorpio |
Separation through Filtration |
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Cancer |
Union through Solution |
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Aquarius |
Union Multiplication |
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Pisces |
Union Projection |
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Measures, Equipment and Terms
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Amalgamation |
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Anneal (Annealing) |
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Compose |
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Copper Splints |
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Crucible |
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Decompose |
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Melting or Digesting |
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Distill |
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Dram |
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Element |
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Equal Amount |
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Ferment |
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Filter |
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Glass |
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Glass Dropper |
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Grille |
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Magnet |
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One Dram |
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One Ounce |
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One Pinch |
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One Pound |
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One Scruple |
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Pinch |
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Ounce |
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Pint |
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Pound |
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Precipitate |
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Pulverize |
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Purification |
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Receiver |
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Retort |
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Sediment |
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Scruple |
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Still |
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Sublimation |
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Take |
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Vapour Bath |
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Wick |
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Wine Spirit |
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Yields |
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Gold
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Other Metals
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Aluminium |
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Cobalt |
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Copper |
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Iron |
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Lead |
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Mercury |
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Nickel |
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Silver |
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Steel |
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Tin |
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Mundane Elements
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Antimony |
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Arsenic |
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Bismuth |
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Boron |
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Magnesium |
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Phosphorus |
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Platinum |
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Potassium |
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Stone |
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Sulphur (Sulfur) |
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Zinc |
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Other Elements and Substances etc.
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Alcohol |
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Alkali |
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Alum |
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Ammonia |
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Aqua |
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Red Arsenic (Realgar) |
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White Arsenic (Arsenic Trioxide) |
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Arsenic Sulfur |
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Yellow Arsenic (Orpiment) |
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Beeswax |
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Borax |
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Brass |
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Brimstone (Sulphur, Sulfur) |
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Burned Alum |
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Burned Hathorn |
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Calcined Gold |
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Chalk |
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Cinder |
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Clay |
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Copper Acetate |
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Corpuscle |
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Cribbled Ashes |
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Crystal |
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Distilled Vinegar |
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Eggshells |
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Fumes |
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Ginger |
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Gold Foil |
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Gold Litharge (Lead Monoxide) |
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Gold Saffron |
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Gold Trinkbar (N.B A drink containing gold) |
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Gravel |
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Haematite (Hematite) |
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Honey |
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Iron Filings |
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Iron Rust |
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Iron Vitriol (Melanterite) |
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Lapis Lazuli |
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Red Lead (Lead Tetroxide) (Triplumbic Tetroxide) |
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Lime |
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Lye |
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Magnesia |
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Manure |
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Nitre Flower |
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Nitre Oil |
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Nitric Acid (Aqua Fortis) |
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Oil (Oleum) |
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Oil Essence |
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Oil of Vitriol (Sulphuric Acid) |
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Pewter |
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Potash |
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Powder |
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Quicksilver (Mercury) |
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Rocksalt |
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Rosin |
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Salt |
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Saltpeter |
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Sea Salt |
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Silicon (Modern alchemy only) |
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Silver Spirit |
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Skull |
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Soapstone |
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Soot |
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Spirit |
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Spirit of Mercury |
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Spirit of Tin |
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Sugar |
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Tartar (Tartaric acid)? |
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Torrefaction of Silver |
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Urine |
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Verdigris |
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Vinegar |
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Vitriol |
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Wax |
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Wood |
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Alphabetical List of Alchemy Symbols
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