Sulfur
Is one of the three divine elements (sulfur, mercury & salt). In alchemical practice, it was commonly employed.
Alchemy Symbols
Until the 18th century, alchemical symbols, which were devised as part of the protoscience of alchemy, were employed to denote some elements and compounds. While this type of writing was fairly standardised, alchemists’ styles and symbols varied, hence this page of alchemy symbols lists the most prevalent.
Alchemy was passed down through the ages from Egypt and Arabia through Greece and Rome, and then to western and central Europe. The name comes from the Arabic phrase “al-kimia,” which refers to the Egyptians’ preparation of the Stone or Elixir. The Arabic word “kimia” is derived from the Coptic word “khem,” which refers to the Nile delta’s fertile black soil.
Some of the most frequent alchemical symbols are listed here.
Silver
Is one of alchemy’s seven metals (gold, silver, mercury, copper, lead, iron & tin). In astrology, the sign for silver is also linked to the moon.
Potash
In alchemical operations, (potassium carbonate) was commonly utilized.
Platinum
Platinum was thought to be a mixture of gold and silver by alchemists.
Phosphorus
Light was commonly utilized by alchemists as a sign of the spirit, therefore light that appeared to be contained in a matter like phosphorus piqued their interest.
Mercury
The ancients employed quicksilver to generate red mercuric oxide by heating the element in a nitric acid solution. A dense red mist floats over the surface of the quicksilver in nitric acid reaction, and vivid red crystals precipitate to the bottom. Mercury, alchemists believed, could travel between solid and liquid phases, between earth and heaven, … Read more
Magnesium Symbol
Alchemists employed magnesium carbonate (MgCO3), commonly known as’mild magnesian earth,’ to make ‘Magnesia alba’ (meaning “white magnesia.”
Lead Symbol
Is the first and oldest of alchemy’s seven metals (gold, silver, mercury, copper, lead, iron & tin). In astrology, the lead symbol was also used to represent the planet Saturn.
Iron Symbol
Is one of alchemy’s seven metals (gold, silver, mercury, copper, lead, iron & tin). In astrology, the symbol for iron can also be used to represent the planet Mars.
Gold Symbol
Is one of alchemy’s seven metals (gold, silver, mercury, copper, lead, iron & tin). It symbolized the perfection of all matter on any level, including the mind, spirit, and soul, for the alchemist. In astrology, the symbol for gold can also be used to represent the sun.