Alchemy

Alchemy was a precursor to chemistry. The word is derived from the Arabic الكيمية (Al Kimia), meaning "the art of transformation". The key pursuit of alchemy was to discover a way to turn lead into gold, known as the philosopher's stone. This was as much a spiritual quest as it was a scientific one. Unbeknownst to alchemists at the time, gold is an element, and therefore cannot be produced by combining any other elements except through fusion.

Symbolism of alchemy

The symbolism of alchemy is rich and employs many western and eastern traditions. Some of the important symbols of alchemy are Solomons seal, the hermaphrodite, and the four Elements of wind, fire, earth and, water. These symbols are said to be from the period of the legendary alchemist Hermes Trismegistus, founder of the Hermetic arts. These and the other symbols of alchemy are regarded as having psychological significance by Carl Jung, contemporary of Sigmund Freud.