Symbol 53:26

53:26 ·
A sign for the
alchemists' lapis philosophorum, the Stone of Wisdom, the prerequisite for the
wished end result of the alchemical process. In this sign are combined
the signs for the three most important substances used by the
alchemist: sulphur,
, salt,
, and mercury,
. Above the
signs for these three substances the symbol
, the
structure of an alchemistic sign for year,
,
is holding its protective wings, and a vertical line connects it
all.
For the alchemists
the Stone of Wisdom partook in the nature of the quinta
essentia or
quintessence,
that is the fifth element after those of earth, water, air and fire. Therefore
signs for the quintessence are somewhat synonymous with signs
for the lapis philosophorum. The sign
above in this group is one of the signs for quinta
essentia.
Lapis philosophorum could also be drawn
.



