Alchemy Symbols

Alchemical symbols, originally devised as part of the protoscience of alchemy, were used to denote some elements and some compounds until the 18th century. Note that while notation like this was mostly standardized, style and symbol varied between alchemists, so this page of alchemy symbols lists the most common.

The art of alchemy was handed down through the centuries from Egypt and Arabia to Greece and Rome, and finally to western and central Europe. The word is derived from the Arabian phrase "al-kimia," which refers to the preparation of the Stone or Elixir by the Egyptians. The Arabic root "kimia" comes from the Coptic "khem" that alluded to the fertile black soil of the Nile delta.

Here are some of the most common alchemy symbols.

The Three Primes

Mercury (fluid connection between the High and the Low)

Sulfur (omnipresent spirit of life)

Salt (base matter)

 

The Four Basic Elements

Symbol for Fire

Symbol for Water

Symbol for Earth

Symbol for Air

 

The Seven Planetary Metals

Gold dominated by Sol

Silver dominated by Luna

Copper dominated by Venus

Iron dominated by Mars

Tin dominated by Jupiter

Mercury (quicksilver) dominated by Mercury

Lead dominated by Saturn

Page 2 - The Mundane Elements

Resources:
Alchemy Symbols at ancient-symbols.com
Alchemy Symbols at ka-gold-jewelry.com