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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.