Alchemical Symbols
This page lists all the various symbols in the Alchemical Symbols category.
Alchemical symbols, originally devised as part 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 lists the most common.
Symbols in this category:
24 hours (alchemy)
Combining the discipline's own symbols for day and night, this alchemical time sign represents a period of 24 hours.
Acetic acid/vinegar (alternate #1)
One of several symbols used in alchemy and early chemistry to denote vinegar.
Acetic acid/vinegar (alternate #2)
A sign used in 17th century alchemy to indicate a distilled form of vinegar.
Alcohol (alternate #3)
One of several alchemical symbols used to indicate alcohol, in this case wine spirit or "eau de vie".
Ammonium salt (alchemy)
One of the alchemical signs for ammonium salt, also known as "sal ammoniacus".
Ammonium salt (alternate #1)
One of the alchemical signs for ammonium salt, also known as "sal ammoniacus".
Ammonium salt (alternate #2)
One of the alchemical signs for ammonium salt, also known as "sal ammoniacus".
Ammonium salt (alternate #3)
A sign for ammonium salt, also known as "sal ammoniacus", used in 18th century chemistry.
Ammonium salt (alternate #4)
A symbol used to represent ammonium salt in 17th century chemistry.
Ammonium salt (alternate #5)
A symbol used to represent ammonium salt in 17th century chemistry.
Antimony (alternate #1)
Resembling a cross between a lyre and a trident, this symbol is an alchemical marker for antimony.
Aqua Fortis
Geber made this 'strong water', Nitric acid, by distilling green vitriol, with saltpetre and alum. When pure it is a colourless liquid, but it is often tinged brown by dissolved nitrogen oxides, which also give it a peculiar smell.
Aqua fortis (alternate)
A symbol used in alchemy to indicate aqua fortis, better known as nitric acid.
Aqua regia
This mixture of two different acids was an important substance in the practice of alchemy.
Aqua regia (alternate)
This mixture of two different acids was an important substance in the practice of alchemy.
Argentum cuprofoetum
An 18th century symbol representing a compound of silver and copper, or argentum cuprofoetum.
Arsenic (alternate #3) or glass
One of many symbols used in alchemy to designate arsenic.
Arsenic acid (alchemy)
The alchemical and early chemical symbol for arsenic acid, or acidum arsenici.
Arsenic sulphate (alchemy)
An alchemical and early chemical symbol for the compound arsenic sulphate.
Arsenic sulphide (alchemy)
A 17th century chemical symbol for arsenic sulphide, also known as auripigmentum or orpiment.
Aurum fulminans
Translated from Latin, aurum fulminans means "flashing gold" or "shining gold".
Aurum musivum (alchemy)
This alchemical substance, also known as stannum sulphuratum, is a compound of tin and sulphur.
Black sulphur or brimstone
A symbol that represents black sulphur (aka black mercuric sulphide), as well as brimstone, in alchemy.
Black sulphur or brimstone (alternate)
A symbol that represents black sulphur (aka black mercuric sulphide), as well as brimstone, in alchemy.
Borax (alternate #1)
A symbol used in 18th century chemistry to represent borax (also known as tinkal).
Calcinated copper (alchemy)
A sign used in 17th century alchemy to designate calcinated copper.
Calcinated copper (alternate #1)
A sign used in 17th century alchemy to designate calcinated copper.
Calcinated copper (alternate #2)
A sign used in 17th century chemistry to designate calcinated copper.
Calcinated copper (alternate #3) or nickel
In alchemy, this symbol could indicate either calcinated copper or the metal nickel.
Calcination
Calcination (also referred to as calcining) is a thermal treatment process in absence of air applied to ores and other solid materials to bring about a thermal decomposition, phase transition, or removal of a volatile fraction. The calcination process normally takes place at temperatures below the melting point of the product materials. Calcination is not the same process as roasting. In roasting, more complex gas–solid reactions take place between the furnace atmosphere and the solids.
Calcination (alternate)
One of several symbols used in alchemy to represent calcination.
Cinnabar (alchemy)
A symbol used to designate cinnabar, a bright red mineral with a rather toxic physical nature, in 17th century alchemy.
Cinnabar (alternate #1)
A symbol used to designate cinnabar, a bright red mineral with a rather toxic physical nature, in the 18th century text of Diderot's Encyclopedia.
Cinnabar (alternate #2)
A symbol used to designate cinnabar, a bright red mineral with a rather toxic physical nature, in the 18th century text of Diderot's Encyclopedia.
Cinnabar (alternate #3)
A symbol used in alchemy and early chemistry to represent cinnabar.
Coal (alchemy)
A symbol used to represent coal (also known as 'carbo') in 18th century chemistry.
Cobalt (alchemy)
A symbol used in alchemy and early chemistry to represent cobalt, alkali salt and rock salt.
Copper
Alchemy symbol for copper. This was also the symbol for the goddess and the planet Venus.
Copper (alternate)
The meaning of this alchemical symbol is not fully known, but it possibly indicates copper.
Crucible (alchemy)
Resembling a lopsided martini glass, this symbol was used in alchemy to indicate a crucible or a melting pot.
Crucible (alternate #1)
Resembling a sealed envelope, this symbol was used in alchemy to indicate a crucible or a melting pot.
Crucible (alternate #2)
One of several alchemical symbols used to indicate a crucible or melting pot.
Crystallization
In 18th century chemistry, this symbol represented the process of crystallization.
Cuprum arsenicatum (alchemy)
The alchemical symbol for Cuprum arsenicatum, a compound of copper and arsenic.
Day (alchemy)
While this symbol can have different meanings in different fields, in the alchemical traditions of the Middle Ages it was used as a "time sign" to indicate day.
Digerere
Also known as "digestio", this 18th century chemical symbol represents the process of dissolving a substance in liquid of moderate temperature.
Digestion (alchemy)
In alchemy, digestion is a process in which gentle heat is applied to a substance over a period of several weeks.
Distillation
Distillation is a method of separating mixtures based on differences in volatility of components in a boiling liquid mixture. Distillation is a unit operation, or a physical separation process, and not a chemical reaction.
Distillation (alternate #1)
An alchemical symbol indicating the process of distillation.
Distillation (alternate #2)
An alchemical symbol indicating the process of distillation.
Distillation (alternate #3)
In 18th century chemistry, this sign indicated the process of distillation.
Distillation (alternate #4)
An alchemical symbol indicating the process of distillation.
Electrum (alternate) or tin (alternate #1)
This unusual alchemical symbol can be used to represent both tin and electrum.
Fermentation
Fermentation typically refers to the conversion of sugar to acids, gases and/or alcohol using yeast or bacteria.
Ferrohydrosulphate (alchemy)
This rather tongue-twisting moniker indicates a combination of iron and sulphur.
Ferrum sulphuratum (alchemy)
The alchemical symbol for ferrum sulphuratum, a compound of iron and sulphur.
Fixation (alchemy)
Fixation in alchemy refers to a process by which a previously volatile substance is "transformed" into a form (often solid) that is not affected by fire.
Fool's gold (alchemy)
Fool's gold, or iron pyrite, is represented in alchemy by this symbol.
Fool's gold (alternate)
Fool's gold, or iron pyrite, is represented in alchemy by this symbol.
Fuse (alchemy)
An 18th century chemical symbol indicating the process of fusing, or melting things together.
Gilded copper (alchemy)
An 18th century symbol representing gilded copper, or cuprum auratum.
Gilded silver (alchemy)
An 18th century symbol representing gilded silver, or argentum auratum.
Glass (alternate #2)
In the alchemical traditions of the late Middle Ages, this symbol represented glass.
Goddess
Alchemy symbol for goddess. It was also the symbol for copper and the planet Venus.
Gold
Gold is a dense, soft, shiny, malleable, and ductile metal. It is a chemical element with the symbol Au and atomic number 79.
Gold foil (alchemy)
An alchemical symbol used to indicate gold foil, or "aurum foliatum".
Gold?
It's possible that this is an alchemical sign for gold, but the evidence for such a claim is not entirely solid.
Hepar calcis (alchemy)
An 18th century symbol for hepar calcis, more commonly known today as calcium sulfide (chemical symbol- CaS).
Hepar magnesiae (alchemy)
An 18th century chemical symbol representing hepar magnesiae, "hepar" being Latin for 'liver'.
Hepar terraepond (alchemy)
An 18th century chemical symbol representing hepar terraepond, "hepar" being Latin for 'liver'.
Honey sign (alternate #3)
This sign is said to be one of the alchemists' signs for honey.
Hour (alchemy)
One of several "time signs" used in alchemy to indicate the period of an hour.
Hour (alternate #1)
In 17th century French alchemical practices, this symbol was a "time sign" used to represent the period of an hour.
Hour (alternate #2)
One of several "time signs" used in alchemy to indicate the period of an hour.
Lead
Lead is a chemical element in the carbon group with symbol Pb (from Latin: plumbum) and atomic number 82. Lead is a soft and malleable metal, which is regarded as a heavy metal and poor metal.
Lead (alternate #1)
In alchemy, lead is most commonly represented by the astrological sign for the planet Saturn (for full details, see the symbol for 'Lead'), but this symbol serves the same purpose.
Lead (alternate #2)
In alchemy, lead is most commonly represented by the astrological sign for the planet Saturn (for full details, see the symbol for 'Lead'), but this symbol serves the same purpose.
Lead (alternate #3)
In alchemy, lead is most commonly represented by the astrological sign for the planet Saturn (for full details, see the symbol for 'Lead'), but this symbol serves the same purpose.
Lead (alternate #4)
In alchemy, lead is most commonly represented by the astrological sign for the planet Saturn (for full details, see the symbol for 'Lead'), but this symbol serves the same purpose.
Lead (alternate #5)
In alchemy, lead is most commonly represented by the astrological sign for the planet Saturn (for full details, see the symbol for 'Lead'), but this symbol serves the same purpose.
Lead (alternate #6)
In alchemy, lead is most commonly represented by the astrological sign for the planet Saturn (for full details, see the symbol for 'Lead'), but this symbol serves the same purpose.
Lead (alternate #7)
In alchemy, lead is most commonly represented by the astrological sign for the planet Saturn (for full details, see the symbol for 'Lead'), but this symbol serves the same purpose.
Lead sulfate
An alchemical symbol representing a compound of lead and sulphur (hence the name).
Lime (alternate #4)
Somewhat resembling a kidney, this symbol was used in early chemistry to represent lime.
Magnesia/Magnesium (alchemy)
Resembling a trident, this sign is a 16th century chemical symbol for magnesia.
Magnesia/Magnesium (alternate #1)
A symbol used in early chemistry to represent magnesium.
Magnesia/Magnesium (alternate #2)
A 17th century alchemical sign used to indicate magnesium.
Magnesia/Manganese
An 18th century chemical symbol representing both magnesia and manganese.
Magnetic iron or rising (alchemy)
An alchemical symbol that can indicate either magnetic iron or the process of rising.
Mars
Mars is the fourth planet from the Sun and the second smallest planet in the Solar System. Named after the Roman god of war, it is often described as the "Red Planet", as the iron oxide prevalent on its surface gives it a reddish appearance.
Mars (alternate)
Although this sign isn't often used, in alchemy it is an alternative symbol to indicate the planet Mars.
Mars-Saffron
A 17th century chemical symbol for Mar-Saffron. This form of rusted iron is produced by exposing small iron filings simultaneously to both water and air, causing them to oxidize quickly.
Melt (alchemy)
A sign used in alchemy to indicate melting, fusion or making something into a liquid form.
Melting furnace (alchemy)
One of several alchemical symbols used to indicate a melting furnace.
Melting furnace (alternate #1)
One of several alchemical symbols used to indicate a melting furnace.
Melting furnace (alternate #2)
One of several alchemical symbols used to indicate a melting furnace.
Mercurius sulphuratus
This substance, represented here by an 18th century chemical symbol, is a compound of mercury, sulphur and cinnabar.
Mercury (alternate #5)
An alchemical symbol used to indicate mercury and mercury-based compounds.
Mercury (alternate #6)
One of several alchemical symbols for mercury, this one indicating both the substance and the planet.
Mercury (alternate #7)
An alchemical symbol indicating argent vif ("lining silver" in French), otherwise known as mercury.
Mercury (metal)
Mercury is a chemical element with the symbol Hg and atomic number 80. It is commonly known as quicksilver and was formerly named hydrargyrum (from Greek "hydr-" water and "argyros" silver).
Mercury chloride or Sublimation (alternate #2)
Resembling a combination of the signs for Libra and Mercury, this symbol is one of several alchemical markings related to sublimation.
Mercury chloride or Sublimation (alternate #3)
Resembling a combination of the signs for Libra and Mercury, this symbol is one of several alchemical markings related to sublimation.
Mercury chloride or Sublimation (alternate #4)
Resembling a combination of the signs for Libra and Mercury, this symbol is one of several alchemical markings related to sublimation.
Metallum sulphuratum
A symbol used in 18th century chemistry to indicate a compound of sulphur and a metal.
Molten gold (alchemy)
The alchemical symbol for something known as "aurum cum caloric", possibly molten gold.
Monad of Dr. John Dee
Although this symbol dates back less than five hundred years, the components it consists of, as well as the meanings of those components, are significantly older.
Multiplication (alchemy)
Multiplication is the process in Western alchemy used to increase the potency of the philosopher's stone, elixir or projection powder.
Night (alchemy)
One of several "time signs" used both in alchemy and early chemistry, this one representing night.
Night (alternate)
One of several "time signs" used in alchemy, this one representing night.
Nitrogen dioxide
A symbol used in 18th century chemistry to indicate nitrogen dioxide, or nitrogenous air.
Nitrogenous air (alchemy)
An 18th century chemical symbol used to indicate nitrogen dioxide and other similar gasses.
Oil (alternate #3)
An alchemical symbol used to designate oil (especially olive oil in this case).
Oricalchum argentatum
In alchemy, oricalchum argentatum is a name for brass that has been coated in silver.
Pebbles (alchemy)
A sign in alchemy used to represent pebbles. It can also stand for the colorless variety of quartz known as rock crystal.
Philosopher's Stone
The philosopher's stone, or lapis philosophorum ('stone of wisdom'), is perhaps the most iconic object in the study of alchemy.
Philosopher's Stone (alternate)
The philosopher's stone, or lapis philosophorum ('stone of wisdom'), is perhaps the most iconic object in the study of alchemy.
Platinum
The alchemical symbol for platinum was made by joining the symbols of silver and gold.
Potassium Carbonate (alternative)
A variation of the alchemical symbol for potassium carbonate.
Potassium hydrogen tartrate (alchemy)
A symbol used in alchemy to denote potassium hydrogen tartrate.
Precipitation (alchemy)
Resembling an upside-down version of the astrological symbol for Libra, this alchemical sign represents precipitation.
Precipitation (alternate #1)
Resembling a combination of the signs for Libra and Mercury, this alchemical symbol represents precipitation.
Precipitation (alternate #2)
Resembling a combination of the signs for Libra and Mercury, this alchemical symbol represents precipitation.
Precipitation (alternate #3)
Resembling a combination of the signs for Libra and Mercury, this alchemical symbol represents precipitation.
Precipitation (alternate #4)
One of several alchemical symbols for precipitation, in this case precipitation through deposit.
Process (alchemy)
When it comes to this symbol, the word "process" can imply a number of different things.
Projection (alchemy)
Projection was the ultimate goal of Western alchemy. Once the Philosopher's stone or powder of projection had been created, the process of projection would be used to transmute a lesser substance into a higher form, often lead into gold.
Pulverize (alchemy)
An 18th century chemical symbol used to indicate the process of pulverizing ("pulverisare") and the result of that process, powder ("pulvis")
Purification (alchemy)
The sign for purification, or "purificatio", combines the symbols for 'water' (squiggly lines) and 'vessal' (bowl shape).
Purification (alternate) or setting (alchemy)
An alchemical symbol that represents both purification and setting.
Purify by burning
In alchemical practices, this symbol represents a purification process.
Quicklime (alchemy)
An early chemical symbol used to indicate quicklime, also known as calcium oxide.
Quicklime (alternate)
An alchemical symbol used to indicate quicklime, also known as calcium oxide.
Quintessence (alchemy)
In the context of alchemy, the word "quintessence" can refer to a number of different things, some of them rather esoteric in nature.
Quintessence (alternate)
In the context of alchemy, the word "quintessence" can refer to a number of different things, some of them rather esoteric in nature.
Realgar (alternate #1) or Litharge
One of several alchemical symbols for realgar as well as one for litharge.
Retort (alchemy)
The device represented by this symbol symbol is also known as an "alembic" or "distillery tube" and plays an import role the discipline of alchemy.
Rotting (alchemy)
A sign used in alchemy to indicate the process of rotting, or putreficatio.
Sal alcalinus
A symbol used in alchemy to indicate alkaline salt, which is composed of sodium and potassium.
Sal alcalinus (alternate #1)
A symbol used in alchemy to indicate alkaline salt, which is composed of sodium and potassium.
Sal alcalinus (alternate #2)
A symbol used in 17th century chemistry to indicate alkaline salt, which is composed of sodium and potassium.
Sal alcalinus (alternate #3)
A symbol used in alchemy to indicate alkaline salt, which is composed of sodium and potassium.
Sal sedativus
In 18th century chemistry, this sign indicated sal sedativus or calming salt (its name has the same root as "sedative"), a boracic acid substance.
Saturn/Lead #1
A symbol representing both the planet Saturn and the metal lead. These two things were often associated with each other. For more details, see the symbols for 'Saturn' and 'Lead'.
Saturn/Lead #2
A symbol representing both the planet Saturn and the metal lead. These two things were often associated with each other. For more details, see the symbols for 'Saturn' and 'Lead'.
Separation process
In chemistry and chemical engineering, a separation process, or simply a separation, is any mass transfer process that converts a mixture of substances into two or more distinct product mixtures, at least one of which is enriched in one or more of the mixture's constituents.
Spiritus (alchemy)
This ancient symbol can have many different meanings, but in the context of alchemy it represents spiritus.
Spiritus (alternate #1)
This ancient symbol can have many different meanings, but in the context of alchemy it represents spiritus.
Steel (alternate #3)
Bearing a distinct resemblance to the anarchy logo, this is actually an early chemical symbol for the metal steel.
Stone (alchemy) and working people
This symbol denotes two specific things in two different fields.
Strain (alchemy)
An alchemical symbol indicating the process of filtration or straining.
Sublimation (phase transition)
Sublimation is the transition of a substance directly from the solid phase to the gas phase without passing through an intermediate liquid phase.
Sulfuric acid (alternate)
A sign used to indicate sulfuric acid in the early days of chemistry.
Sulphur (alternate #5)
A symbol used to indicate sulphur in alchemical and early chemical practices.
Summer (alchemy)
One of the time signs used by alchemists, this one representing summer.
Tartar (alternate #1)
A sign used to indicate tartaric acid salt in 17th century chemistry.
Tin
Tin is a chemical element with symbol Sn (for Latin: stannum) and atomic number 50. It is a main group metal in group 14 of the periodic table.
Tin (alternate #4)
An alchemical symbol indicating the metal tin, specifically tin oxide.
Transform into liquid (alchemy)
Bearing some resemblance to the astrological sign for Scorpio, in alchemy this symbol indicates that something is transformed into a liquid.
Transform into liquid (alternate)
Bearing some resemblance to the astrological sign for Aquarius (which it functions as a version of), in alchemy this symbol indicates that something is transformed into a liquid.
Venus
Venus is the second planet from the Sun, orbiting it every 224.7 Earth days.The planet is named after the Roman goddess of love and beauty.
Venus (alternate)
Killing multiple birds with a single stone, this alchemical symbol represents Venus (the goddess and the planet) as well as the metal copper.
Vinegar
Made by distilling wine that has been allowed to go sour. A medium strong acid which reacts with most organic substances, and forms salts with some metals, for example Lead acetate, or 'sweet lead'.
Vinegar (alternate)
In Christianity, this type of sign is known as a crutch cross. In alchemy it is one of several signs indicating vinegar.
Water (alternate #1)
An alternate alchemical sign for the element of water, dating from the seventeenth century.
Water (alternate #2)
An alternate alchemical sign for the element of water, dating from the fifteenth century.
Wax (alternate #3) or coagulation
In the practice of alchemy, this symbol can have two distinct meanings.
White arsenic
In alchemy, white arsenic is an oxide used to create a color known as Schweinfurt green.
Wind furnace (alchemy)
An alchemical symbol indicating a wind furnace (also known as a wind forge).
Wind furnace (process, #1)
An alchemical symbol that indicates to process something in a wind furnace.
Wind furnace (process, #2)
An alchemical symbol that indicates to process something in a wind furnace.
Wise man's sulphur (alchemy)
A symbol used in 17th century chemistry to indicate a substance known as wise man's sulphur, or "soufre des philosophes"
Wood (alternate #1)
While at first glance this symbol may be mistaken for a warped version of the anarchy logo, it is in fact one of the symbols used in alchemy to denote wood.
Year (alchemy)
One of several alchemical "time signs" used to indicate the period of a year.
Year (alternate #1)
One of several "time signs" used in alchemy and early chemistry to indicate the period of a year.
Zinc oxide (alchemy)
A symbol used to indicate zinc oxide in chemical practices of the 18th and 19th centuries.
Citation
Use the citation below to add this symbols category to your bibliography:
"Alchemical Symbols." Symbols.com. STANDS4 LLC, 2015. Web. 25 Jan. 2015. <http://www.symbols.com/category/9>.