Abstract:
According to the Oxford dictionary, Alchemy was the pursuit of transmuting metals into gold and the search for the Panaceae or the elixir of life. These are divergent views for which different explanations were given. There are three theories of the origin of metals (1) oldest conception of soul identified it with blood. Red minerals were conceived as soul concentrates promising longevity. Minimum or red oxide of lead was used externally as life prolonging agency. Purifying its ore by fire gave rise to lead which was considered as a pure and solid form of soul. (2) Search for red minerals brought mixed ores of minimum and cinnabar. Cinnabar is red sulphide of mercury. Mixed ores gave lead and mercury. Dualism superseded Aminism, even soul was dual natured and looked upon lead and mercury as subsouls, from mercury and lead as sub souls were derived and other metals. In as much as no substance on earth was so near blood in its colouration, as Cinnabar, alchemist identified it as soul in mineral form. Its sub souls, sulphur and mercury become joint producers of all the metals.
Page(s):
45-60
DOI:
DOI not available
Published:
Journal: Hamdard, Volume: 19, Issue: 7--12, Year: 1976