Alchemical Symbols Were The Original Secret Code
Before chemistry had the periodic table, it had alchemy—a mix of science, mysticism, and philosophy. And alchemists? They had symbols. Strange, cryptic marks scratched into manuscripts, lab tools, and notebooks. These symbols weren’t just shorthand. They were a hidden language.
Let’s break down what they meant, why they mattered, and why we still care.
What Are Alchemical Symbols?
Alchemical symbols are graphic representations of elements, processes, and materials used in alchemy. Some were borrowed from astrology. Others were invented out of necessity—part disguise, part ritual. The symbols let alchemists record their work in a way that was partly encrypted and partly spiritual.
They weren’t just about keeping secrets. Alchemy was as much about transformation of the self as transformation of matter. Symbols carried weight—philosophical, cosmic, and practical.
The Core Symbols
Here are some of the key players:
Gold (☉) – Represented by a circle with a dot at the center, this symbol also stood for the sun. Gold was the pinnacle of purity and perfection.
Silver (☽) – A crescent moon, tied to intuition and femininity. Silver was the second-highest metal in terms of spiritual refinement.
Mercury (☿) – Both a metal and a principle. It symbolized fluidity, change, and the connection between the physical and the spiritual.
Sulfur (🜍) – Signified volatility and soul. Often paired with mercury to represent the balance of opposites.
Salt (🜔) – Represented the body, matter, and stability. It grounded the volatile forces of mercury and sulfur.
Process Symbols
Alchemy was about transformation, so there were also symbols for processes:
Calcination (🜿) – The burning down of a substance, spiritually tied to burning away ego.
Sublimation (🝫) – Turning solid into vapor—meant to purify.
Conjunction (⚭) – Union of opposites, often mercury and sulfur. A big deal for alchemists.
Each process wasn’t just chemical. It was psychological and spiritual, too. That’s what separates alchemy from modern science.
Why Use Symbols?
A few reasons:
Secrecy – Alchemists weren’t always welcome. Symbols protected knowledge from prying eyes—or from people who weren’t “ready.”
Philosophy – Alchemy wasn’t just lab work. It was a belief system. Symbols carried layers of meaning.
Tradition – From Egypt to Europe, symbols linked alchemists across centuries. They were part of the identity.
Are Alchemical Symbols Still Used?
Not in chemistry—but they’re still around.
Artists, writers, occultists, and even game designers draw on alchemical imagery. You’ll find them in Tarot decks, fantasy novels, and tattoo designs. Why? Because they still hint at transformation, mystery, and hidden knowledge.
They’re elegant. Cryptic. Cool.
Alchemical symbols weren’t just decorative. They were tools for thinking—about matter, spirit, and change. They were part of a worldview where everything connected: fire, earth, planets, metals, the soul.
They were the original coded language of transformation.
Here is a website that has a ton more alchemical symbols and their meaning.