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Alchemy (from Arabic: al-kīmiyā; from Ancient Greek: χυμεία, khumeía) is an ancient branch of natural philosophy, a philosophical and protoscientific tradition that was historically practised in China, India, the Muslim world, and Europe.
- Philosophers' Stone
The Alchymist, in Search of the Philosopher's Stone by...
- List of Alchemical Substances
External links. Eklund, Jon (1975). The Incompleat Chymist:...
- Alchemical Symbol
Alchemical symbols, originally devised as part of alchemy,...
- Citrinitas
C. G. Jung, Psychology and Alchemy 2nd. ed. (Transl. by R....
- Elixir of Life
The mythological White Hare from Chinese mythology, brewing...
- Panaceas
A panacea (/ p æ n ə ˈ s iː ə /) is any supposed remedy that...
- Four Elements
The classical elements typically refer to earth, water, air,...
- Magnum Opus (Alchemy)
Colors of the magnum opus seen on the breastplate of a...
- Protoscience
In the philosophy of science, protoscience is a research...
- Philosophers' Stone
- Overview
- Nature and significance
Alchemy was a form of speculative thought that, among other aims, tried to transform base metals such as lead or copper into silver or gold. It also sought to discover cures for diseases and a way of extending life.
What are the metals of alchemy?
Gold, silver, copper, lead, iron, and tin are the metals of alchemy. Mercury and sulfur were also crucial to alchemy.
Which is the oldest known Chinese text on alchemy?
The oldest known Chinese alchemical treatise is the Chou-i ts’an t’ung ch’i (“Commentary on the I Ching”). It is mainly an apocryphal interpretation of the I Ching, an ancient classic, relating alchemy to the mystical mathematics of the 64 hexagrams (six-line figures used for divination).
alchemy, a form of speculative thought that, among other aims, tried to transform base metals such as lead or copper into silver or gold and to discover a cure for disease and a way of extending life.
That both astrology and alchemy may be regarded as fundamental aspects of thought is indicated by their apparent universality. It is notable, however, that the evidence is not equally substantial in all times and places. Evidence from ancient Middle America (Aztecs, Mayans) is still almost nonexistent; evidence from India is tenuous and from ancient China, Greece, and Islamic lands is only relatively more plentiful. A single manuscript of some 80,000 words is the principal source for the history of Greek alchemy. Chinese alchemy is largely recorded in about 100 “books” that are part of the Taoist canon. Neither Indian nor Islamic alchemy has ever been collected, and scholars are thus dependent for their knowledge of the subject on occasional allusions in works of natural philosophy and medicine, plus a few specifically alchemical works.
Nor is it really clear what alchemy was (or is). The word is a European one, derived from Arabic, but the origin of the root word, chem, is uncertain. Words similar to it have been found in most ancient languages, with different meanings, but conceivably somehow related to alchemy. In fact, the Greeks, Chinese, and Indians usually referred to what Westerners call alchemy as “The Art,” or by terms denoting change or transmutation.
Aug 24, 2023 · Alchemy is an ancient practice aimed at recreating precious substances using recipes and transformative materials such as the philosopher's stone. Alchemists believed that materials like gold, silver, gems, and purple dye could be recreated if the right combination of ingredients and transformative methods were found.
- Mark Cartwright
- What is the true meaning of alchemy?Alchemy means the pursuit of certain chemical experiments to transform base metals into gold, increase the efficiency of known medicines, and find...
- What does alchemy mean spiritually?Although alchemy is known for the pursuit of a means to turn base metals into gold, it did have a spiritual side when it became an allegory or perh...
- What is the study of alchemy?The study of alchemy goes back to antiquity and involves finding a chemical way to change base metals into gold. Alchemists believed this could be...
The following outline is provided as an overview of and topical guide to alchemy: Alchemy – A philosophical tradition recognized as protoscience, that includes the application of Hermetic principles, and practices related to mythology, religion, and spirituality.
Alchemy is the very old study and philosophy of how to change basic substances (such as metals) into other substances. It also studied how substances (and how they are changed into other substances) were related to magic and astrology. People who studied alchemy were called alchemists.
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Jan 30, 2013 · A book by Lawrence Principe that surveys the history of alchemy from ancient to modern times and decodes its secret language and practices. Learn about the origins, goals, methods, and achievements of alchemists from different cultures and periods.
Goals. “Transmutation” is the key word characterizing alchemy, and it may be understood in several ways: in the changes that are called chemical, in physiological changes such as passing from sickness to health, in a hoped-for transformation from old age to youth, or even in passing from an earthly to a supernatural existence.
