Morgan Robinson's List: Alchemy

• Antimony: A metalloid, antimony, resembles metal in its appearance and physical properties, but does not chemically react as a metal. This elemental alchemy symbol represents animal tendencies found in humankind – a wild nature in all of us – wear this symbol when you are feeling meek – it will remind you of the animal power that dwells within you.

•       Arsenic: Arsenic is a chemical element. This is a notorious poisonous metalloid that has three allotropic forms; yellow, black and grey. Arsenic and its compounds are used as pesticides, herbicides, insecticides and various alloys. The elemental alchemy symbol arsenic was used for medicinal and magical cures. A compound of arsenic and sulpher were said to induce trances of enlightenment and philosphical ascention and direction.
•  Copper: This is one of several alchemy symbols for copper (the other being traditional Venus symbol). Copper is a reddish-coloured metal, with a high electrical and thermal conductivity (among pure metals at room temperature, only silver has a higher electrical conductivity). Copper may well be the oldest metal in use, as copper artifacts dating to 8700 BC have been found Copper was associated with the goddess Aphrodite/Venus in mythology and alchemy, owing to its lustrous beauty, its ancient use in producing mirrors, and its association with Cyprus, which was sacred to the goddess. The elemental alchemy symbol for copper is also the planetary symbol for Venus. As such, this symbol embodies such characteristics as love, balance, feminine beauty, and artistic creativity.

•      Gold: A soft, shiny, yellow, heavy, malleable, ductile (trivalent and univalent) transition metal. One of the more valued elements, gold represents perfection in all matter, on any level. It also symbolizes humankind's goal to obtain perfection in mind and spirit. Read more about the Symbolic Meaning of Gold here (on my blog).

•      Iron: Iron is a most abundant metal, and is believed to be the tenth most abundant element in the universe. In alchemy, iron is representative of the planet mars in astrology. As such, iron rules physical strength, and symbolizes predominantly male energy. It is also  noteworthy that the symbol for iron is also one in the same symbol for male. Philosophically, iron represents a need to temper primal urges while at the same to embracing the fire within.
• Lead: Lead has a bright luster and is a dense, ductile, very soft, highly malleable, bluish-white metal that has poor electrical conductivity. This true metal is highly resistant to corrosion. As an alchemy symbol, lead is the ruler of the dark, lustreless prime matter. It is Governed by saturn and combined with silerver it is said to create a purified element called the
• Magnesium: Magnesium is a fairly strong, silvery-white, light-weight metal (one third lighter than aluminium) that slightly tarnishes when exposed to air. It is difficult to ignite in bulk, though it is easy to light if it is shaved into thin strips. Once ignited, it is difficult to extinguish. It is the difficulty of extinguishing that makes this elemental alchemy symbol so appealing because it represents eternity, infinite flame, and ascension.

•      Phosphorus: Common phosphorus forms a waxy white solid that has a characteristic disagreeable smell. Pure forms of the element are colorless and transparent. This non metal is not soluble in water, but it is soluble in carbon disulfide. Pure phosphorus ignites spontaneously in air and burns to phosphorus pentoxide. The elemental alchemy symbol phosphorus traps light, and thus it is reputed that the alchemy symbol for phosphorus represents spiritual illumination.

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  P

  latinum: The metal is a beautiful silvery-white when pure, and malleable and ductile. The metal is corrosion-resistant. In the realm of philosphical elemental alchemy symbols, platinum was revered for its endurance. Platinum represents determination, grit, and seeing our manifistations to completion.

•      Silver: Silver is a very ductile and malleable (slightly harder than gold) univalent coinage metal  with a brilliant white metallic luster that can take a high degree of polish. It has the highest electrical conductivity of all metals, even higher than copper, but its greater cost  has prevented it from being widely used in place of copper for electrical purposes. In alchemy, silver is one of the three base metals often used as prima material at the inception of a work. Further, the alchemy symbol of silver is associated with  the moon. As such, silver holds philosophical traits of the feminine persuasion as well as attributes of intuition, inner wisdom, and contemplation. Furthermore, profound artistic expression can be harness by using silver. Discover more about symbolism and silver by reading my interview with Goran Jonsson, who is an artist of sculpted jewelry made of primarily silver and slate. You can also learn more about symbolic meaning of silver on my blog post.

•      Sulfur: It is an abundant, tasteless, odorless, multivalent non-metal. Sulfur, in its native form, is a yellow crystaline solid. In nature, it can be found as the pure element or as sulfide and sulfate minerals. It is an essential element for life and is found in several amino acids. Also considered a transcendent elemental alchemy symbol – sulfer represents the multiplicity of human nature and the eternal aspiration to reach enlightenment. As indicated by the symbol, sulfur represents the triad of ascention – which can be viewed as a holy trinity. Sulfur is also one of the three heaveny substances in alchemical science (the other two being salt, and mercury.
• Tin: Tin is a malleable, ductile, highly crystalline, silvery-white metal whose crystal structure causes a "tin cry" when a bar of tin is bent (caused by crystals breaking). Tin acts as a catalyst when oxygen is in solution and helps accelerate chemical attack. Tin as an elemental alchemy symbol is representative of the planet Jupiter. Being ruled by Jupiter, puts tin in connection with breath, and can be philosphically viewed as the breath of life. Tin also adds a philophical lesson to life that standing alone it is weaker than if it is combined with another alchemy symbol element. See also Jupiter Symbolism as it is associated with tin and may offer more insight into this alchemical element.

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  Zinc: Zinc is a moderately reactive metal that will combine with oxygen and other non- metals, and will react with dilute acids to release hydrogen. Alchemists prepared philosopher's wool by burning the metal zinc in air. Philosopher's wool was zinc oxide, which was also sometimes called nix alba (white snow).

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  Alchemy symbols provide us with a wide variety of insight into the potential transformation of the human landscape - both internal and external.
• the science of alchemy together with its underlying philosphy of inner transformation, opens up a broad range of power in our lives
• The world of alchemy signs is rife with deeper (hidden) meanings. Many are used to define elements as well as conditions of the spirit. Planetary symbols and   animal signs were also used in alchemy to define elements.
• A little history lesson: The roots of alchemy can be traced back to Egypt. The word alchemy may be derived from the Arabic "al kimiya" meaning "the magical craft of the black country."
• Ancient Egyptians were master metalworkers and believed that magic powers were contained in all matter.
• Ancient alchemists were evolved thinkers, combining efforts to transform matter to another form - all the while having an internal goal of transforming the heart and soul of mankind into another form.

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• The ostensible goals of alchemy are often given as the transmutation of common metals into gold (known as chrysopoeia), the creation of a panacea, and the discovery of a universal solvent.
• Alchemy is the art of liberating parts of the Cosmos from temporal existence and achieving perfection which, for metals is gold, and for man, longevity, then immortality and, finally, redemption. Material perfection was sought through the action of a preparation (Philosopher's Stone for metals; Elixir of Life for humans), while spiritual ennoblement resulted from some form of inner revelation or other enlightenment (Gnosis, for example, in Hellenistic and western practices).^[3]
• • Perfect for Hades, who is immortal, immutable, and in possession of all in the inner world.
• Modern discussions of alchemy are generally split into an examination of its exoteric practical applications and its esoteric aspects. The former is pursued by historians of the physical sciences who have examined the subject in terms of protochemistry, medicine, and charlatanism. The latter interests psychologists, spiritual and new age communities, hermetic philosophers, and historians of esotericism.
• Despite the modern split, numerous sources stress an integration of esoteric and exoteric approaches to alchemy. Holmyard, when writing on exoteric aspects, states that they cannot be properly appreciated if the esoteric is not always kept in mind.^[5] The prototype for this model can be found in Bolos of Mendes' 3rd-century BCE work, Physika kai Mystika ("On Physical and Mystical Matters")
• Greek philosophy was mixed with Egyptian and Mesopotamian technology
• Practical applications of alchemy produced a wide range of contributions to medicine and the physical sciences. The alchemist Robert Boyle^[8] is credited as being the father of chemistry. Paracelsian iatrochemistry emphasized the medicinal application of alchemy (continued in plant alchemy, or spagyric).^[9] Studies of alchemy also influenced Isaac Newton's theory of gravity
• It is a popular belief that alchemists made contributions to the "chemical" industries of the day—ore testing and refining, metalworking, production of gunpowder, ink, dyes, paints, cosmetics, leather tanning, ceramics, glass manufacture, preparation of extracts, liquors, and so on (it seems that the preparation of aqua vitae, the "water of life", was a fairly popular "experiment" among European alchemists)
• They learned how to extract metals from ores, and how to compose many types of inorganic acids and bases.
• In the eyes of a variety of esoteric and Hermetic practitioners, the heart of alchemy is spiritual. Transmutation of lead into gold is presented as an analogy for personal transmutation, purification, and perfection.^[6] This approach is often termed 'spiritual', 'esoteric', or 'internal' alchemy.
• his approach continued in the Middle Ages, as metaphysical aspects, substances, physical states, and material processes were used as metaphors for spiritual entities, spiritual states, and, ultimately, transformation. In this sense, the literal meanings of 'Alchemical Formulas' were a blind, hiding their true spiritual philosophy. Practitioners and patrons such as Melchior Cibinensis and Pope Innocent VIII existed within the ranks of the church, while Martin Luther applauded alchemy for its consistency with Christian teachings.
• • He must be earnest in his patronage.  No cliched betrayals.
    
    That said, there is little telling what he would have you be, even for your own betterment.
    
    One must remember that his rule is absolute.

  • How could this "spiritual refinement" be displayed in the game?  What would Hades consider to be the ideal state that must be achieved?  
• Both the transmutation of common metals into gold and the universal panacea symbolized evolution from an imperfect, diseased, corruptible, and ephemeral state towards a perfect, healthy, incorruptible, and everlasting state; and the philosopher's stone then represented a mystic key that would make this evolution possible. Applied to the alchemist himself, the twin goal symbolized his evolution from ignorance to enlightenment, and the stone represented a hidden spiritual truth or power that would lead to that goal. In texts that are written according to this view, the cryptic alchemical symbols, diagrams, and textual imagery of late alchemical works typically contain multiple layers of meanings, allegories, and references to other equally cryptic works; and must be laboriously decoded to discover their true meaning.
• During the renaissance, alchemy broke into more distinct schools placing spiritual alchemists in high contrast with those working with literal metals and chemicals.^[18] While most spiritual alchemists also incorporate elements of exotericism, examples of a purely spiritual alchemy can be traced back as far as the 16th century, when Jacob Boehme used alchemical terminology in strictly mystical writings
• Medieval Europe was primarily an agrarian culture, which meant that most aspects of their lives were in direct or indirect response to agriculture. Magic, alchemy, medicine, philosophy, and religion were all tied together through agriculture.
• A major philosophy that pulled from agrarian life and largely affected alchemy and magic was cosmology.^[25] Cosmology had ruling over the philosophies of the four elements, like for like, and ultimately the belief in the essence of things.^[24] These philosophies makes distinguishing between alchemy and magic difficult, blurring the lines and creating huge grey areas where all aspects of medieval life can be mixed at some point.^[
• Alchemy and Magic are often seen together in the modern world because of blurred lines between them. This is because medieval people were, "Living in a world infused with purpose." From ants to cosmic movement, "[a]like things shared a relationship deeper and wider than they do in our modern view."
• All of this resulted in magicians, philosophers, alchemists, and physicians to have blurred lines. Magic and alchemy especially were interrelated because both were interested in the essences of things or the, "inner structure of existence, [operating] as the principle of form for each kind of being."
• • An interesting idea; using alchemy to derive an memetic material root for a substance, and them applying it to the projected constructs of the apollonian crystals.
• The essences of things were not, "simply conceptual entities, but to be real and have existence, they were regarded as discoverable and even at times transferable (as in alchemical operations and in the use of talismans)."
• Alchemy and magic were distinctive from each other through the terminology of the time that distinguished each aspect of magic and philosophy. The modern term magic was broken down into, (enchantment, necromancy, conjuration, or sorcery) but the generic term magic was not common until the sixteenth century
• Magic might accomplish the same effects as prayer or natural techniques [alchemy]; its distinguishing feature lay not in its effects but in the causal principle it invoked, the intervention of demons.
• This is where alchemy is distinguished from magic. Magic involves the will of demons or other spiritual forces, whereas alchemy focused more on the essences of physical materials. Even though both trades worked at times for the same goal, and even crossed paths, the large distinction was the use or not of demonic forces
• Another distinction is in the superstition of the time where, "a person using the generally unknown properties of some herb was doing magic, even though the effect might be perfectly "natural" in modern terms."
• • Alchemic material modification is, in essence, chemistry and physics by another means.
• Despite the convergence of many aspects of medieval life into alchemy, "careful contextual readings of alchemical texts now continue to reveal that alchemy was never monolithic or static." and that, "Early modern European alchemy alone displays a staggering diversity of theories, practices, and purposes: Scholastic and anti-Aristotelian, Paracelsian and anti-Paracelsian, Hermetic, Neoplatonic, mechanistic, vitalistic, and more—plus virtually every combination and compromise thereof.
• Alchemy covers several philosophical traditions spanning some four millennia and three continents.
• One can distinguish at least three major strands, which appear to be largely independent, at least in their earlier stages: Chinese alchemy, centered in China and its zone of cultural influence; Indian alchemy, centered around the Indian subcontinent; and Western alchemy, which occurred around the Mediterranean and whose center has shifted over the millennia from Greco-Roman Egypt, to the Islamic world, and finally medieval Europe.
• Chinese alchemy was closely connected to Taoism and Indian alchemy with the Dharmic faiths, whereas Western alchemy developed its own philosophical system that was largely independent of, but influenced by, various Western religions. It is still an open question whether these three strands share a common origin, or to what extent they influenced each other.
• The start of Western alchemy may generally be traced to Hellenistic Egypt, where the city of Alexandria was a center of alchemical knowledge, and retained its pre-eminence through most of the Greek and Roman periods.^[33] Here, elements of technology, religion, mythology, and Hellenistic philosophy, each with their own much longer histories, combined to form the earliest known records of alchemy in the West.
• Zosimos of Panopolis asserted that alchemy dated back to Pharaonic Egypt where it was the domain of the priestly class, though there is little to no evidence for his assertio
• These included the pantheon of gods related to the Classical planets, Isis, Osiris, Jason, and many others.
• The central figure in the mythology of alchemy is Hermes Trismegistus (or Thrice-Great Hermes). His name is derived from the god Thoth and his Greek counterpart Hermes.
• Few original Egyptian documents on alchemy have survived, most notable among them the Stockholm papyrus and the Leyden papyrus X. Dating from 300 to 500 CE, they contained recipes for dyeing and making artificial gemstones, cleaning and fabricating pearls, and the manufacture of imitation gold and silver.
• An important example of alchemy's roots in Greek philosophy, originated by Empedocles and developed by Aristotle, was that all things in the universe were formed from only four elements: earth, air, water, and fire. According to Aristotle, each element had a sphere to which it belonged and to which it would return if left undisturbed.^[42] The four elements of the Greek were mostly qualitative aspects of matter, not quantitative, as our modern elements are. "...True alchemy never regarded earth, air, water, and fire as corporeal or chemical substances in the present-day sense of the word. The four elements are simply the primary, and most general, qualities by means of which the amorphous and purely quantitative substance of all bodies first reveals itself in differentiated form."
• The discovery that aqua regia, a mixture of nitric and hydrochloric acids, could dissolve the noblest metal, gold, was to fuel the imagination of alchemists for the next millennium.
• Islamic philosophers also made great contributions to alchemical hermeticism. The most influential author in this regard was arguably Jabir. Jabir's ultimate goal was Takwin, the artificial creation of life in the alchemical laboratory, up to, and including, human life. He analyzed each Aristotelian element in terms of four basic qualities of hotness, coldness, dryness, and moistness.

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• Gold ¯¯¯¯ Soft, heavy, yellow, and nearly impervious to tarnish, gold is
  well-known across the many worlds. By itself, gold is magically inert, it
  must be awakened or be used with a catalyst such as rare earths in order to
  benefit from its properties. Attuned to fire and the sun, properly awakened
  gold can strengthen and support many sorts of magic, though the more subtle
  spells tend to overload after a time. Pure gold is nearly worthless for
  battle, it needs extensive enchantment (approx. equal to +25% worth) to even
  be +0% due to its' weight and softness, the standard gold-iron alloy needs
  merely +5% worth to reach this strength. Gold, while not mystically "good"
  in nature, is supernaturally pure, attempts to pervert gold magic items or
  twist a symbol made of gold to purposes opposed to what the symbol
  represents may induce a magical backlash against the perverter. Prepared
  under the proper conditions, by innocents born under certain astrological
  arrangements, raw gold may be caused to become attuned to the essence of
  royalty, such metal can be utilized in a variety of ways to affect or aid
  the rulership of the land it was made in. Unfortunately, gold also tends to
  awaken greed and avarice in the hearts of many folk, dwarves and dragons
  seem especially susceptible.
• • Related to Apollo for sun, purity, rule; and Hades for wealth, rule, and in the materials sciences for electronics.
    
    See Oricalcum for Alchemic derivative alloy.
• Silver ¯¯¯¯¯¯ The metal of the moon, silver is well-known for being able to
  ignore lunar-based defensive powers such as those of lycanthropy. Unlike
  gold, silver will tarnish readily unless protected, but it needs no special
  preparation for most magical uses. Awakened, 3 ounces of silver (6
  quantities for enchanting purposes) will grant moderate bonuses to
  divinations and magical wards it is used in. Unfortunately, silver is also
  strongly attuned to goodness and purity, it does not readily tolerate evil
  enchantments, having a marked tendency to decay into iron should the evil
  continue to be forced into it, though the presence of blue sapphire will aid
  the metal in resisting wickedness, and emeralds will weaken the silver if
  set in it. Like gold, but to a much weaker degree, silver can provide
  support for a spell, and also like its yellow cousin, it requires
  strengthening for physical reasons if used in weapons and armor. A wide
  selection of alloys can be made using silver, many exhibit varying degrees
  of tolerance for magical lightning, a quality the pure metal does not seem
  to have. Quite a few spells utilize the innate goodness of silver to strike
  out at evil, generally this does not harm the metal in the least.
• • Ignore Gem ideas- material cross-effects is too complex, stick to the mechanical properties changes and slight bonuses to alchemic creations and various enchantments.
• • Silver is associated with Pan/Dionysosand Hades.  First is moon, purity(Of tooth and claw), transformation; second is wealth, darkness, and the other(in a minor aspect)
    
    Alloyed to mithryl, see below for details.
• Copper ¯¯¯¯¯¯ The red cousin of gold and silver, copper is the weakest of
  the triad metaphysically. Unlike the other two, copper cannot be used to
  support spells outside its own properties, nor does it have any inherent
  purity or alignment. What it does have is an affinity for battle,
  specifically for the defense of the bearer against attackers. Copper has an
  unfortunate tendency to ground holy and unholy energies, it is very hard to
  get such forces to remain in it for long, and it readily converts
  holy/unholy water to normal water if stored in copper vessels. Like silver,
  copper is not physically strong enough to be used pure in armor, needing
  strengthening. Attempting to make magical weaponry from pure copper is
  almost certain to fail, though copper sheathing or plating over another
  metal works quite well when enchanting by priestly methods, as the red metal
  renders the item mystically acceptable for purposes of the faith despite
  likewise negating any blessed/cursed status the cleric may wish to bestow.
• • Representative of the "fallen" reptilian Lemurians and the tribals analogous to early man.  Represents rough, unrefined material, and closely associated with blood and sacrifice.  Vital for its alloys Brass and bronze, and its component aspect in Oricalcum.
• Brass ¯¯¯¯¯ An alloy of copper and zinc, brass exhibits metaphysical
  properties quite unlike either of the metals composing it. Brass is
  exceptionally receptive to unholy or evil forces, in a cosmic sense it is
  the dark reflection of silver. Attempts to force goodness upon brass will be
  resisted, the metal will decay into iron rust if overwhelmed. Emerald aids
  brass' powers, blue sapphire weakens it. Unlike silver, brass is worthless
  for bypassing defenses based on related forces. Brass has no magical bonus
  normally, but with regard to fire and dragon magic it will act as if it had
  a +5% bonus available to convert. Unenchanted brass corrodes swiftly at the
  touch from any part of a unicorn, permanently enchanted brass will not,
  enchanted brass with charges or a heka/mana reservoir is drained of some
  stored power by every contact with part of a unicorn, prolonged contact can
  disenchant such charged items completely. Making an alchemical essence from
  brass is a complete waste of time, the resulting fluid will mildly taint
  items with demonic energies if they are doused in it, but so weakly that
  confining an imp within the item would provide greater evil.
• • Used in acoustical elements such as horns, Bells and drums.  Corrosion resistant, and a good conductor of energy  Associated with Apollo, though weakly.
    
    Orekalkos mans brass of the mountains, and is the root component to the ear lies, least refined Oricalum, before it was developed as a mystical conductor. 
• Iron ¯¯¯¯ Mystically the mirror image of copper in several regards, iron is
  the metal of offense. Unfortunately, unenchanted iron has some anti-magical
  properties, its presence especially disturbing faerie spells and illusions.
  Once magically awakened (whether through the Spell of Enchantment or via
  alchemy), iron loses all anti-magical qualities. Iron is exceptional in one
  regard, as much as 5 pounds can be awakened at once or used as a single
  quantity in crafting an item, unlike most metals whose mystic quantities are
  an ounce or less. By itself, iron lacks any innate bonus, but will support
  offensive powers as well as gold, defensive qualities require more work on
  the part of the enchanter. Many alloys containing iron will retain its
  qualities over those of most other metals, it exhibits a kind of dominance,
  though alchemical theory states that this is not dominance, rather that it
  is the imperfect nature of iron debasing the intrinsic powers of the finer
  material. Iron ores are utilized as the earthen base for making most of the
  elemental metals despite this supposed "imperfect" nature.
• • Iron is the element of Man, in all forms, and associated with the promaethian creations and peoples.  Associated with Grounding, negation of magic and strength.
    
    Alloys to steel conventionally, and adamantine.  See below.
• 
  Lead ¯¯¯¯ Heavy, soft, and resistant to magic, lead is not used much except
  as a defense against scrying or teleportation. Occasionally an alchemist
  will make an essence from it, but not often. Despite endless tales to the
  contrary, few alchemists try to turn lead to gold. Like iron, lead can be
  awakened in large quantities. Under some conditions, lead can extend the
  duration of spells or shield them from anti-magical environments.
• • Used in bullets, it is mystically neutral, gene the notorious difficulty of transmuting into gold.  Itself difficult to enchant, when used in properly constructed armor it can absorb electromagnetic or mystical radiation, as well as any remote observation or internal analysis.
• Platinum ¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯ Strong, nearly immune to acids, and silvery, platinum is
  used in small amounts in a wide variety of magics, being the sole mundane
  metal which is a better magical activator and supporter of spells than gold
  is. Like gold and silver, platinum should be awakened to utilize it to the
  fullest extent. The major alchemical essence of platinum, True Platinum, is
  among the valued of these fluids, as it is able to make spells permanent and
  supply never-ending magical potency to other ingredients when fashioning
  magical devices.
• • Associated with Hades and Isana as Persephone.  The latter as a container for spirits, where it performed exceptionally, and also as an amplifier.  The former for its elements of wealth, use in electronics, and rarity.
• Quicksilver (Mercury) ¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯ A heavy, gleaming liquid metal,
  quicksilver is a slow-acting poison, care should be taken in handling it and
  its' fumes. Absolutely useless for fashioning items from, quicksilver can be
  combined with other metals for some magical uses, such as certain talismans
  needing its resonance. Used in magic, quicksilver excels at reversing
  standard effects, laying curses, and changing constructive forces to
  destructive ones. Small amounts of the stuff are used in making all of the
  alchemical essences, as it is needed for conversion of alchemic solution
  into an acid, which then is made into the alchahest used to distill
  essences. The alchemical essence of quicksilver, Variable Mercury, normally
  appears as fine red grains and is able to transmute iron into silver, some
  claim it can also be used to convert iron into yaddrakk when mixed with
  blood from a member from Clan Borguunaar. One grain (there are 60 per dose)
  of Variable Mercury is a standard component of most polymorphing spells or
  similar extreme alterations.
• • Mutable element of change.
    
    A basic element of alchemy, it can be used along with Sulfer as a reagent to forge bonds between materials, and matter can be broken down to this substance.  At the highs skill level Can even be used to reconstruct materials directly, save for those mystically created.
    
    Associated with Isana and the Great Old Ones she represents.  Can be "Forged" by introduction of a spirit associated with the action it is to perform to become a living alloy in eldrich constructions.
• • An alloy of silver, steel, and one as-of yet undecided reagent.  Highly durable, it is intrinsically resistant to malevolent influences.    Attuned to the power of the Wilds, it works best either by itself, or used in conjunction with bone, claw tooth and horn.
• Orichalcum ¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯ A distinctive red-orange metal, orichalcum is heavier
  than gold and just as soft, though not as malleable. At least 6 distinct
  formulas for making it are known, none related to the rest. Due to this, it
  is suspected that orichalcum may not be a substance at all, but rather an
  embodiment of some magical force at present unidentified. Like gold and
  platinum, it is impervious to corrosion and supports spells very well,
  though no awakening is needed.
• • Red-Orange alloy of copper, gold, and sacrificial human blood.  Mystical and energy amplifier and redirector, useful in staffs, wands and various armor and mystical super-and sub-structures.  Associated with the sun and Apollonian technologies especially.
• 
  Mithril ¯¯¯¯¯¯¯ Best known of all the magical metals, mithril resembles
  silver is many respects, though it is physically stronger and never
  tarnishes. It also doesn't revert to iron if evil enchantments overwhelm its
  innate goodness.
• Adamony ¯¯¯¯¯¯¯ Adamony is to adamantium as yaddrakk is to iron, a
  higher-powered state of the same basic elemental material. It is as much
  harder than adamantium as adamantium is harder than gold. It is so rare that
  only two items made from it are even mentioned in legends of the mortal
  races (others are mentioned in legends of immortal races on other planes).
  One is a ring of great power, the other a long athame (ritual dagger).
  Should armor or weapons ever be forged from adamony, they would have a base
  bonus of at least +35% in all ways. Adamony itself is indestructible by any
  known means (from a supernova to alchahest to the Numious Nothingness
  Conjuration) short of direct assault by a greater god or by one of the
  Drelthi, though no such invulnerability defends those using it or any magics
  enchanted into the metal.
• • An interesting idea, but unworkable mechanically.  If this substance is used, there can be no more than 5 artifacts, the relics of each god, made by the smith-god himself.
• Cadrium ¯¯¯¯¯¯¯ This dense, heavy, reddish-brown metal is almost never seen
  by anyone save dwarves. This is because no vein comes within a mile of the
  surface on any world it occurs on. With 90% of the weight of gold, and being
  about as hard as pig iron, cadrium has only one great property, that it can
  withstand tremendous heat without transmitting it through itself. A one inch
  thick piece could withstand an acetylene torch indefinitely without the
  other side even becoming warm. Anything below 10,000 degrees would be held
  at bay like this. Past that point, the far side of the metal would only get
  to 1/6th as hot as the side being heated, until it begins to melt at 11,820
  degrees. It boils at 13,000 degrees. Its value these days is about 6,850
  times that of gold.
• • Now this has potential for the alchemical works, especially for the Russian and Arab tech trees.
• Truecopper ¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯

  The refined, concentrated essence of copper,
  truecopper drains mana (spell points, PP, etc.) from anything in contact
  with it at a rate of two units of mana per minute per tenth pound of
  truecopper present.
• • Ambigous on "True Materials"  but the idea dose have some potential as a means of creating limited use items.
• Resembling normal copper in appearance, truecopper can be told apart by
  almost any spell user at the merest touch. Each tenth pound of truecopper
  takes 100 pounds of normal copper to make, requires a spellcaster of at
  least the 15th level who is also a master of metallurgy, and the spellcaster
  must rest a full day after making it due to the strain on his spirit. Most
  who attempt to make truecopper are actually rendered unconscious by this
  strain, leaving only those of the strongest spirit to succeed.
• Truesilver ¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯

  A refined, concentrated, and reactive form of the
  essence of silver, truesilver is a thick metallic fluid valued at 3 to 5
  silver coins per _drop_. Again, never mistake it for the alchemical True
  Silver, a fluid essence of silver useful in enchanting items of spell
  storing and animation of golems. This truesilver, while deadly poisonous if
  consumed, is best known for its uses in creation of permanent magical
  devices, especially those in which a portion of the spirit or magical
  potential of the maker must be sacrificed in the making. A few drops of
  truesilver can be substituted for each unit of sacrifice normally required,
  making such items available without harming any living thing. Truesilver
  cannot be used to make potions or other consumables, and it just isn't
  powerful enough to be substituted in those magics which call for Primal
  forces, such as divine-level powers. Truesilver can be refined by an
  enchanter of at least the 5th level, whose skills in metallurgy are
  considerable. It takes an hour and 1/25th pound of silver to make each drop
  (individually!).
• • This probably inspired some of my Spiritual tree crafting abilities.
• Truelead ¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯ Again a reactive essence, truelead is no more dangerous
  then normal lead. It is a somewhat heavier metal than lead, but otherwise
  much like it. Its main magical property is that for every ten pounds of it
  incorporated into something, that thing gains one "unit" of magical
  resistance. It is also used in making several magical alloys
• Blood Metal ¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯ A dreadful alloy, anything of blood metal is
  innately poisonous. Thankfully, it is not very durable, being only equal to
  iron physically. Fumbled attempts to enchant blood metal often kill the one
  who attempted it. Cuts from blood metal will each inflict 2 h.p. of damage
  every 20 seconds for several minutes. Other than the poison, blood metal is
  mundane, exhibiting no magical modifiers or other properties. Thankfully,
  making it is harder and more dangerous than making truecopper, requiring
  great skills in metallurgy, spells, and in alchemical poisons.
• • Idea; Out of context demonic incursion, bearing this as a weapon.  Craftable, but only produceable in large batches that require a settlement each to be sacrificed.
    
    See W40K Khorn worship for ideas
• Gods Copper ¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯ Looking like copper, this metal is extremely rare,
  its origin unknown. Never knowingly wasted in weapons, gods copper armor
  completely blocks any critical hit which would normally affect the area it
  covers. Items made of it can withstand twice as much damage as normal before
  being harmed, and it bestows considerable magic resistance (reduce attacking
  magic by one level per 8 pounds or so of gods copper, more if enchanted or
  blessed).
• • "Devine Bronze" from Percy Jackson
• Gravanium ¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯ Found in the same ores as forgotten steel, gravanium has
  negative weight. A 1" cube of it can lift 2.95 pounds. In appearance, it is
  a blue metal as strong as steel, which melts at a mere 620 degrees (on the
  same scale, aluminum melts at 660 degrees).
• • from Verne's moon journey.  Check the name, but very useful.  Not alchemic, but rather a scientific oddity.  Created through an obscure mechanism.  Think on the effect while subterranean- Underground lerage point.
• Hell Iron ¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯ Another exceedingly rare metal (these days at least),
  Hell Iron is normal iron, when on its native plane. Anywhere else, and it
  develops devastating powers. It ignores the ability of other materials to
  lessen the amount of damage inflicted per blow, and in piercing mortal flesh
  it can automatically steal the victim's soul, storing one soul per pound of
  Hell Iron in the weapon. When it contains souls, it is sheathed in red
  flames. Breaking the metal can release the souls, if the piece is too small
  to hold as many souls as it has in it. Physically, Hell Iron is much
  stronger than normal iron, but still weaker than normal titanium in most
  ways except its heat resistance (it melts at 9,100 degrees). Hell Iron has
  no 10ths, but ignores all 10ths of the target.
• • See above with the hell-metals
• Adamant ¯¯¯¯¯¯¯ This is the pure metal form of the hard jet-black
  ferromagnetic ore known as adamantite, from which adamantine, adamantium,
  and adamony are made. One of the hardest of the commonly known magical
  metals, pure adamant is capable of slicing through most other metals as if
  through air, but a stout blow from almost anything will break it. Too
  brittle to be used for weapons and armor by itself, adamant is usually used
  in experimentation (seeking to develop alloys better than adamantine and
  adamantium) or as styluses used to etch metals. Adamant is a gleaming,
  glossy black, Any reflections seen in it acquire rainbow edges, this
  property being the surefire way to identify this metal. Adamant itself
  appears to be invulnerable to fire and heat, complex alchemical treatments
  are needed to work it. It exhibits some resistance (or tolerance?) of cold,
  electricity, acids, and attempts to disintegrate it.
• • Adamantium is an alloy of diamond and iron, with a sacrifice of Int or Con.  Sacrifice can be crowdsourced to followers for big projects, but sacrifices of this type lower the cap on maximum score for these stats until material is destroyed.
• • Basis for bound weapon system in the spiritual tree.  Make easily scalable for large scale if disarming is largely viable.
• Irbynite ¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯ The elemental metal of aether, irbynite is naturally
  invisible. Working it requires a forge fueled by burning undead creatures
  (skeletons, mummies, and zombies will not do, more strongly negative
  entities are required), likewise the major tools should be well-imbued with
  undead essences and the item should be quenched in living flesh. Actually
  making the metal generally requires a lich and a large supply of rust long
  buried under a blood-drenched, frequently used battlefield, plus a master
  alchemist to distill them. Irbynite has from +15% to 20% magical bonus, but
  it can only be used to power magics of invisibility, yin necromancy, or
  those which duplicate ghostly powers.
• • Spiritualist derived, undead unaligned
• Lysaughton ¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯ Chaos in metallic form, lysaughton is frighteningly
  difficult to work due to the constant changes it undergoes. Generally white,
  lysaughton may exhibit pastel forms of any color at random times. Forges
  used in reworking bits of broken metal are most often fueled with dung from
  demons and shapeshifters, augmented with broken wands, a variety of powdered
  gemstones, and large outpourings of magical energy via uncontrolled
  alteration and/or illusion spells. As weapons or armor, lysaughton
  constantly shifts between different designs of the same general shape. No
  formula exists in mortal hands for making this metal, the primary source is
  somewhere in the demon realms.
• • Awesome, but impossible in any real way.  Maybe something like reactive armor for Promaethian tech, or shaggoth symbiont armor
• Mcgrail ¯¯¯¯¯¯¯ Utterly black, mcgrail items leave a trail of moderately
  short-lived shadows behind them as they move. Weapons forged of mcgrail shed
  darkness to hide the wielder, armor made of it enables the wearer to blend
  into shadows or even step into the shadow of the world itself to come forth
  from a lesser shadow elsewhere. Making this elemental metal requires ore
  that has never seen the sun, moon, or growing plants/animals. It may see
  fire, but not spells that produce heatless light. The process needs water
  from wells that likewise have never been illumined, distilled essences of
  shadow creatures, and a fire fed solely with things which are inherently
  black. Often the spark that starts the fire is itself struck with an older
  piece of mcgrail.
• • Material itself is a silver-white despite its darkness association.
    Ore is from nodules within special geodes (yes mistborn)

  • Deep forge is an derelict temple to Hades, repurposed by Artemisan cultists.
  • 1 more sticky notes...

  • • "Deep Forging" process and special area to integrate with spiritual tree, direct, spiteful opposition to Apollonian tech, whose constructions it negates.
• Fabrinine ¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯ Also called the metal of mortality, this elemental metal
  has all of the primary elements in it in perfect balance. A fabrinine item
  will bond to the first person who uses it, when that person dies the metal
  dies with them unless the item is itself ensouled. By touch and will, the
  owner may cause a bonded item to merge with his soul or come forth again.
  When it is within the owner's soul or physically on their person, the bond
  grants some protection from death magic and critical blows.
• • Mutually exclusive with NPC blade or inherently soul-sucking metals.

  • Spiritual art that allows the her to bind a weapon, armor, or piece of gear to the user.  Cost points out of a stat of your choosing to bind to the weapon, that gives a bonus of double the sacrifice, but is permanently lost.
• Sevenril ¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯ Outlawed in all but the most evil lands, or reserved for
  the sole use of the royal line, sevenril is the elemental metal of spirit
  itself. Physically weak, sevenril's power lies with the mind and heart,
  permitting command of others and drawing them into friendship with the
  bearer. Good rulers may utilize sevenril lined crowns to bring cheer and
  friendship, tyrants may use it in weapons such as the infamous Mindsword.
• • Infusion of a wide range of souls that have been reduced to components, anchored by a human soul that is used to command (High level Military NPC or boss level random thug.
• Eonmite ¯¯¯¯¯¯¯ No known method of making this elemental metal is available,
  it is considered a theoretical possibility. Eonmite is the metal of time,
  believed to be able to prevent aging or vampirically steal youth.
• • Fragment of the scythe of Chronos, it allows the user to starch time for a limited period, on the condition that it would compress an equal amount of time upon cessation.
• Bolusture ¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯ The elemental metal of water, bolusture has no power on
  land or in flight, but under the waves it gains magical strength, bolusture
  armor may permit the wearer to breath water and move freely, weapons crafted
  from it both act as freely as if on land and multiply the effectiveness of
  the wielder's combat skills.
• • "Deep Ones" soul enchantment.  Quite a few are needed to empower the armor or weapon, but give bonuses in water similar to described.  Increased damage/protection from fire, reduced to electricity and ice.
• Antine ¯¯¯¯¯¯ Often mistaken for peraltoid, antine is a related metal that
  is prone to return to places it just left. Missile weapons made of it can be
  useful or annoying, depending on the craftsmanship and magics involved. It
  is also used in making items that are hard to get rid of.
• • Do not use for bullets, ever, and arrows are also counter-indicated.  Weapons in motion must be caught, though an object that comes to a full stop can be summoned to hand (both) by the throw command.  Switching weapons disables the effect until you switch to the effected weapon.

  • Dionysian enhancement, best applied to spears, boomerangs, charkram, and blades.  See about making this a feature of the nature of the boomerang, with projected path.  Booms are enhanced for accuracy and penetration, the others gain that functionality, and/or rebound.
• Vaanum ¯¯¯¯¯¯ A strange silvery-white metal of unknown origin, vaanum is
  very difficult to affect with magic. This is not due to any anti-magical or
  resistive properties, however, the metal is just too alien to our plane.
  This same alien quality is what makes it feared, vaanum weapons are "of
  Slaying" vs. all mortal life and most immortal life,
• • Can kill Gods, to the point of retroactive erasure form causation.

  • "Star Metal"  which is derived from, but not actually physical present in meteor iron.  Created through a ritual that removes the alien elements of the metal metaphysically by evoking eldrich forces.
• Mithrarian ¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯ Dangerous to make, dangerous to be around for long,
  mithrarian is related to kregora, but rather than draining magic, this alloy
  drains gravity, permitting weightlessness of whatever is above it. The
  formula includes eog, mithril, celebur, and a host of other metals in trace
  amounts. It also is immune to all counterspells that would negate flight or
  bring things down to earth.
• • Related to negative weight metal, possibly an allow or engineered mirror.  Might not find a use for it, as other methods of hovering are available and highly specific in usage.
• Volcanosteel ¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯ Iron made from liquid lava and quenched in hot
  springs. Volcanosteel is immune to any kind of heat damage and will never
  melt. It must be shaped by cold forging. Also does not conduct heat at all.
  Weapons gain no automatic hit or damage bonus.
• • Good as is, a nexus of alchemy and engineering
• Iron Absolute ¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯ Commonly called Mold Metal. Toughest of all
  known materials;has an effectively infinite Break Threshold and toughness
  value. An object of Iron Absolute must be made in the shape it is to have,
  and cannot be reshaped or broken thereafter,
• • A good idea for a Promaehian substance that aids in construction.  No actual magic goes into its production, but rather infinitely advanced materials science.
• Solarite ¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯ Solarite, or Sun Steel, is what Heinree make their
  sunswords out of. Must be activated with a solar concentrator, after which
  it's plasma and can't be reverted to metal.
• . Unactivated Solarite ore is mined from rock outcroppings
  in the hottest deserts, and is extremely rare. The metal extracted from the
  ore has an exceptionally high toughness
• To make an activated Solarite object, the metal must be shaped
  (difficult considering its toughness) and subjected to highly concentrated
  sunlight
• • Ability to "activate" Oricalcum to this sort of effect via apollonian magic.
• . After activation, the item
  will cut or melt any material with a natural AC worse than -6, and cannot
  itself be cut or broken. It has +3 hit and +6 DAM, and its damage is
  considered fire damage for purposes of igniting flammables. It is not
  possible to make armor from Sun Steel. Activated Sun Steel is as bright as
  the surface of the sun.
• Soul Steel ¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯ Cuts nonliving material like air, but does not exist
  for living tissue: it merely passes though living matter like a ghost,
  inflicting no harm at all. Great for use against doors and Undead, simply
  chopping inanimate matter up without resistance, doing effectively infinite
  damage to whatever it hits. The only exception is material that has
  toughness equal to or higher than that of Soul Steel. +2 hit, +2 DAM. Price
  subjective; no known terrestrial ore sources. Expect to pay at least
  $80,000/lb if you find some for sale. It has been theorized that Soul Steel
  can only be created through divine intervention, and it seems to require the
  trapping of the soul of an intelligent creature for each pound of metal.
  Formula is not known, nor has it been discovered how to release the trapped
  souls from the metal, although communication with them (they are almost
  always wise and benevolent) is possible.
• • Change to a Legendary weapon or group of weapons that have this effect.  No actual soul inside.
• Demonsteel ¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯ This horrible alloy is forged in certain Hells and
  allowed to enter the real world for the purpose of spreading fear and death.
  It does continuous damage, screaming and moaning when it touches blood. A
  piece of Demonsteel stuck in a creature will do full maximum weapon damage
  every round after it first strikes. Each pound of Demonsteel requires the
  soul of an intelligent creature to make, but this is not a problem in Hell.
  Release of the trapped souls does not seem possible, but communication with
  them (they are almost always selfish and evil) is.
• • Demon hosts wield this as a default.  
    
    Souls, can be removed by spiritualism for other uses, removing all bonuses and turning metal to pig iron in that shape, essentially an ingot of cursed metal.  Using it for anything is going to incur a curse on the blade.
    
    Originally made from a human soul reshaped into an object.
• Hard Water ¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯ Ripples like water, and is reflective and neutrally
  buoyant, but keeps its shape. The rippling is mainly a special effect,
  though, and Hard Water is not a particularly potent metal. No hit or damage
  bonuses. Made from Ice Crystals, requiring $5000 worth of them and 50 hours
  of LM labor to create 1 pound. $8000/lb wholesale, availability 10. More a
  curiosity than a practically useful material.
• • Alternatively, shapeshifting, but the only weapon you can carry.

  • Possible artifact from the dead god Poseidon.  No shapeshifting.
• Tsargo ¯¯¯¯¯¯ Tsargo is a jet black metal found deep in the earth in a
  transparent crystalline ore. The refinement techniques are known to very few
  and are said to involve pure water, actinic flame, and lightning. Tsargo
  reacts with magic in a violent fashion. It is far to rare to be made into
  armor even in alloys save as a trace element. Tsargo in its pure form is
  unstable and explodes violently in the presence of spellcasting (d100's or
  damage over a large area). Tsargo alloys have a number of bizarre
  properties.
• • Alchemic crystals that react to mana are established, especial for Plutonian and Apollonian tech.  However, some are able to detonate when subjected to mana at all.  (testing is vital) These can be put into a shielded vessel with a shutter mechanism as a grenade or mine.

  • Use of modifier material in the alchemy system.  Mercury and sulfur are probable, but look into the lore that is available.
• Iron/Tsargo ¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯ Difficulty: -10. An alloy of tsargo and iron with
  1-2% Tsargo makes a weapon that learns its wielder's desires and hence gains
  in ability to hit. Each week that the wielder practices at least 1 DP with a
  Tsargo/Iron weapon the hit plus increases d3% if he rolls over the current
  hit plus on 3d10. The hit plus for the wielder of a weapon is a hit minus
  for anyone else - the weapon is extremely personalized. If the alloy has
  more than 2% Tsargo then the sword will, in addition to the above property,
  develop a personality not unlike its wielders and the ability to control its
  hit plus minus as it sees fit. It is quite likely to start making demands
  for decoration, magical runes, and other things. If the Tsargo fraction in
  the alloy passes 5% then the weapon will detonate for d100 destroying itself
  when it grows angry. Iron-tsargo alloys are jet black and lustrous.
• • Remember to include training mechanic, that actually involves training, instead of conversation only.

  • NPC sword relationship.
• Orchallium/Tsargo ¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯ Difficulty: -120. An alloy of 25%
  orchallium and 75% tsargo creates a soft, bright red metal that will flame
  whenever someone touching it concentrates and makes a stress save. If they
  maintain concentration the flame will not burn them. Skin contact with 30 or
  more grams of this metal also gives +6 fire armor. The fire is small doing
  d6 per round and is mostly useful for ignition of fires and the like. An
  alloy of 50% orchallium and 50% tsargo makes a soft orange metal that will
  liquify fire by touch, as per the fire element spell of the same name. In
  addition this metal allows a magic item that has only fire element spells in
  it to recharge at a rate of +1 mana/hour faster than normal. If spells of
  any other area are in the item it will prevent recharge. An alloy of 75
  hard, straw-yellow metal that will release mana from a charged or recharging
  magic item as fire by touch. The rate of drain is one mana per round per 50
  grams of metal and each mana point released creates d6 of damage in a burst
  with a radius equal to the square root of the number of dice. The burst
  continues until the item in question is drained. Permanent items recharge as
  recharging items.
• • Interesting as a look into  possible enchantments that can be embed into oricalcum activated using Apollonian techniques.
• Tin/Tsargo ¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯ Difficulty: -10. An alloy of tin and tsargo in any
  combination that is at least 10 has roughly the mechanical properties of
  lead. Application of a large amount of mana in the form of a spell,
  especially fire magic, will cause the metals to separate. This alloy is
  often used to store tsargo.
• • A most nicely inert way to store a reactive substance.
• Solid Quicksilver ¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯ The unique nature of dwarven mercury is
  that it is actually a solid, though the surface ripples and flows as if it
  were water. Items constructed of Solid Quicksilver will float in water,
  regardless of their weight.
• • Can be alchemically solidified in a construction as a mana conductor similar to oricalcum, without the solar properties.  Alchemic golems use this as a control network.

  • Interesting Spiritual material, able to act as a living thing.  Created by forcing a living soul into mercury.  Integrated in chain blades, mystically automated tools, and as a prepared option for raising an undead servant permanently.

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• Gunmetal, also known as red brass in the United States,^[1] is a type of bronze – an alloy of copper (88%), tin (10%), and zinc (2%).^[2] Originally used chiefly for making guns, gunmetal was eventually superseded by steel. Gunmetal casts and machines well and is resistant to corrosion from steam and salt water,^[3] and is used to make steam and hydraulic castings, valves, and gears, and also statues and various small objects, e.g. buttons.
• Gun money, Irish late 17th century emergency coins, contains gunmetal, as worn and scrapped guns were used to make them, but also many other metals, in particular brass and bronze, as people donated pots and pans and other metal objects.
• Gunmetal gray refers to a dark grey color with a bluish and purplish tinge. It is sometimes described as having the appearance of "Black Chrome".

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• One of the more valued elements, gold represents perfection in all matter, on any level. It also symbolizes humankind’s quest to perfect, illuminate and refine his/herself.

   

  Because of its resistance to heat and acid, gold is a symbol of immutability, eternity and perfection

• Because of its golden color, it is almost universally associated with solar symbolism.  This gives gold such attributes as:

   
   
  • Vitality
   
  • Life
   
  • Health
   
  • Radiance
   
  • Wisdom
   
  • Clarity
   
  • Unification
   
  • Virtue
   
  • Light
• The infamous legend of alchemists turning common metals into gold is actually a parable for the human quest to change base vulgarities like greed, hate and selfishness into qualities like love, virtue and compassion through the process of self-purification.  Ergo, gold is symbolic of this transition of the soul.

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• Ancient Alchemy Symbols and their oft times cryptic meanings began out of necessity as  alchemists disguised their practices from the hugely powerful European church.  At the height of its practice, alchemy was considered heretical craft by the church,  punishable by death (or worse, torture). The church body at the time viewed alchemy as a way for the practitioner to ascend to salvation outside of the "traditional" church  methodology.
• Although ancient alchemy symbols were born out of this necessity, the foundation of  alchemical practice is based on inner transformation and the achievement of that  transformation. As a means for this transmutation, the alchemist utilized the changing  properties of matter in addition to the philosophical meanings of the symbols themselves.
• The very act of turning base metals to gold is a symbol of (wo)mans ascension and achievement of enlightenment. All things, no matter how banal, hold deeper spiritual symbolic meaning to the alchemist in all of us.
• Abracadabra:
   This is a Cabalistic charm with origins from Hebrew initials of the Father, Son, and Holy  Spirit. This is an ancient alchemy symbol used for an antidote for illness and used to  augment healing. This phrase was written on parchment and suspended from then neck  by a thread in the triangular form seen here.
• Aleph:
   This ancient alchemy symbol is derived from the "Secret Tradition" or the Cabala. The  Aleph is the first letter of the Hebrew alphabet, and is the spiritual root of all harmony.
•     Caduceus:
   Also symbolic of Mercury, the Caduceus is a figure of two serpents wrapped around a  center rod. The rod is a symbol of transforming alchemical power. The two serpents  represent polarity or duality. Together with the sprouted wings depict the caduceus  having an alchemical meaning of balance, duality and following the alchemical process leading to unity. The caduceus is also seen in medical circles. This is a logical match as  the caduceus calls for unity and balance on an internal level and is hailed as a symbol for healing. See my blog entry on Caduceus meaning. Also, check out my in-site page on snake symbolism.
•   Cube:
   The cube represents the earth in Pythagorean, Indian, and Platonic traditions. In Egypt,  the Pharaoh is often depicted sitting on a cubic throne. In India, many statues of deities  are shown standing on a cube - one under each foot. It is understood as a building block  of all simple matter - and it is also understood that within it supernatural possibilities  abound. Therefore cube represents the earth from which the spiritual king comes forth. The symbolic meaning of number four may also help you understand this symbol further. See also Symbolism of Squares.
•   Ergon:
   This is the spiritual ancient alchemy symbol for the right eye of the soul, by which it  looks to the eternal. This symbol allows focus on higher, finer spiritual  vibrations. It also ascertains the infinite nature of our soul, and our capability to tap into  the infinite universe. Click here for symbolic meaning of eyes.
• Fire:
   "That which the fire operates is alchemy, whether in the kitchen or in the universe" as  stated by the alchemical forefather Paracelsus 1493-1541. More specifically this ancient  alchemy symbol represents divine energy, purification, revelation, and transformation.  As such, fire was (and still is) an important sign in the alchemist's arsenal of emblems. See a full list of fire symbols here.
• Moon:
   Alchemically speaking, the moon represents Silver, the Lesser Work, or Mercury. It  conjoins with the sun, or Gold in the Greater Work. In more practical terms, the moon  represents fertility, resurrection, occult power, immortality and intuition. The moon is a  feminine property and alchemists would incorporate it with the sun (gold) to assure balance. See my in-site page on Moon Symbolism here.
• Peacock Tail:
   Near the end of the alchemical Operation this symbol would appear. Its many-colored  surface on molten metals heralded the nearness of the final stage of transformation.  Further, when the alchemical Operation came to this point, the volatile parts of the  residue were transcended, and the peacock, as all winged creatures, symbolized  changeability. Thus the peacock's spiritual representation is that of smooth transition.  You may also be interested in the symbolic meaning of feathers  or the symbolic meaning of finding feathers on your path. Also, check out my page on Peacock Symbolism here.

•       

  Pentacle:
   Quite the opposite of its unfortunate reputation, the pentacle is a symbol of harmony,  health and mystic powers. The Pythagoreans adopted it as a sign of health and the  marriage of heaven and earth. As a sign of heaven, earth, as well as human body and  mind, the pentacle holds great power. So much so, that it was used as a protective  emblem among alchemists and magicians alike. Specifically, alchemists would press this  symbol on hermetic books to emphasize the knowledge within as being protected and  sacred.
•   Quincunx:
   An arrangement of five figures within a square. Historically, it has infused the worlds of  nature, man and the stars. As an ancient alchemy symbol, it represents the whole being  more than the sum of its parts. In the alchemical mineral world, the quincunx occurs in  the formation of metals, in atomic structures. Additionally the quincunx represents  (wo)man's ability to cross from four to five his/her nature. Meaning we all possess the  four levels of physical matter (stone, plant, animal, man) and we are able to ascend from  these four elements to the final fifth - which is godlike or enlightened stature. More on the Quincunx meaning (on my blog). See also my page on Celtic Five-Fold meanings here.
• Rose Windows:
   Gothic circular windows, shaped like a rose – mostly seen in stained glass in cathedrals.  Designed by Chartres, a master craftsman, this stained glass was made from a secret  recipe using antimony. The windows have a transformational effect on the contemplator. Essentially a dodecahedron, this symbol is connected with the ether, or the fifth element.  By viewing it as a mandala, the rose window brings about an altered state of perception, allowing the observer to tap into the ethereal planes.
• Sun:
   The ancient alchemy symbol of gold. Worshipped in many cultures, specifically Egypt  where Amon-Ra was personified by the evening sun setting at the end of the creative  process. Alchemists understood the process of creation, and utilized the symbol of the  sun to focus on creating desired effects in their practice – both physically and  philosophically. Check out more sun symbolism here.

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• The double snakes of the caduceus represent duality and the unification of polar opposites.  As such, these double snakes speak of the balance and integration polarities in order to strike harmony.  Such dualities include:

   
   
  • male/female
   
  • light/dark
   
  • water/fire
   
  • left/right
   
  • good/evil
   
  • illness/health
   
  • binding/loosing
   
  • wax/wane
   
  • separation/union
   
  • sun/moon
   
  • upper/lower
   
  • asleep/awake
   
   

  Essentially, these opposing snakes represent the concept of yin and yang. 
• The spiraling contortion of serpents in the traditional caduceus imagery is no accident.  Their spiral effect indicates an expansion of knowledge as well as the undulating dance of cosmic forces.
• Traditionally vertical rods are considered archetypal symbols of the phallus.  As the dual serpents address the concept of gender, I’m more inclined to view the staff of caduceus as an emissary of transference between body and mind (physical and spiritual). 

• As an alchemical symbol the caduceus represents the conjugation of sulphur (male) and quicksilver (female).  This symbol also infers the synthesis of opposites with the goal of unification and transformation.

   

  Caduceus means “herald’s staff of office” in Greek, and the center rod was a symbol of Hermes who was the messenger of the gods. 

   

  Other gods to carry this magic wand include:

   
   
  • Anubis (Egyptian)
   
  • Baal (Phoenician)
   
  • Mercury (Roman)
   
  • Aesculapius (Greek)
   
   

  The caduceus’ association with the medical profession comes from the latter-most god (Aesculapius) who is a god of healing.  Further, Dr. Carl Jung popularized it as a modern medical symbol as he felt it was an appropriate emblem of homeopathy.

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• P

  rime symbolism of silver deals with the moon and as such it is an attribute of feminine energy.

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  • Purity
   
  • Clarity
   
  • Awareness
   
  • Focus
   
  • Single-ness of Purpose
   
  • Femininity
   
  • Persistence
   
  • Vision
   
  • Strength
   
   

• Silver is a symbol for strength because this metal withstands abuse, weathering, and even heat.  Nevertheless, it can still be molded into desired forms. 

   

  This is symbolic of a subtle strength.  The message here is that we ourselves can be flexible enough to be molded into something better – but strong enough to keep our core integrity in tact.

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• A more robust understanding of this symbol can be obtained by investigating the meaning of number five itself (here). The meaning of numbers give us powerful insight into the nature of symbolism, and the number five is deals with expansion, integration, and synchronistic journeying to higher understanding.
• When considering the Pentacle, you may also want to consider consider DaVinci’s Vitruvian Man – on which a five-fold star is superimposed. As humans are in much the same shape as the star – the five points symbolize the five senses of humans….the circle around the Pentacle is symbolic of the Divine – the higher energy that encircles us – connects us and protects us.

• The Five Happinesses:
   The following are the “five happinesses;” ancient Chinese symbols depicted in their art and culture. They are considered emblems of good luck & joy.  They are:

   
   
  • Shou (longevity symbol)
   
  • Ch’i Lin (chimera)
   
  • Lung (dragon)
   
  • Fen Huang (phoenix)
   
  • Ju-I (scepter)
   
   
• • These are interesting!  What can i do with these in the skill sacrifices?   Search for thematic correlations.

• he Five Noble Strengths:
   In the Kung-fu tradition, students are required to learn the five noble five animal forms representing nobility, strength, wisdom and responsibility. They are:

   
   
  • Crane
   
  • Tiger
   
  • Leopard
   
  • Dragon
   
  • Snake
   
   

• Five Human Powers:
   Also in the Asian tradition, the Buddhists refer to the five human powers. They are:

   
   
  • Effort
   
  • Memory
   
  • Faith
   
  • Concentration
   
  • Wisdom

• Five Aspects of Enlightenment:
   Also in the Buddhist tradition – mandalas are often incorporated in meditations. Within many of these mandalas are representations of the five states of enlightenment.  They are:

   
   
  • Speech
   
  • Mind
   
  • Body
   
  • Wisdom
   
  • Bliss
• Christianity utilized a five-fold pattern called the Five Sacred Wounds (here is a link to an artistic rendition of this symbol).  This symbol dates back to the Middle ages and honors the sacrifice the Christ made through crucifixion at Calvary – depicting the five mortal wounds he endured.

• In Islam the five-fold symbol is expressed in the Hand of Fatima which is a symbol of spiritual power, strength, domination, and protection. The Hand of Fatima (Muhammad’s daughter) is worn as a good luck symbol in Islam – each finger representing an attribute :

   
   
  1. Faith
   
  2. Prayer
   
  3. Pilgrimage
   
  4. Charity
   
  5. Fasting

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• Celtic meanings surrounding the five-fold motif are fascinating and their significance far-reaching. Specifically, I'm completely enchanted by the fifth element, and how it's translated by the ancient Celtic mind.  

  I love the idea of integration in the five-fold symbols. The idea is not exclusively Celtic. Indeed, almost every culture having the spiritual capacity to observe their world and the universe in which it spins, has five prime symbolic themes. <!-- begin below paragraph 1 -->   <!-- end below paragraph 1 --> 

  The first four themes are timeless, honored cornerstones of life found in countless cultures (including Celtic) and they are fairly straightforward. They deal with classic structures. For example: 
• • Four elements: Fire, Earth, Air, Water
   
  • Four directions: South, North, East, West
   
  • Four seasons: Summer, Winter, Spring, Fall
   
    

  But what about the fifth element?   

  Our spiritually sagacious forebears pressed their minds out of the rigid confinement of the "four-sided" box. They grasped the concept of a more expansive essence unifying the common four elements. That's where the fifth element makes its appearance in esoteric thought.

• A note about directions: To my western mind, I wanted to attribute the cardinal directions to the four "cross" circles, like a compass. That's not the way of the Celt. They were an enhanced, agricultural people who moved in a cyclical rhythm with the the ebb and flow of the cycles of time. It makes sense the uppermost (number "one") circle in our five-fold symbol has an Eastern assignment, as this indicates rising of the sun in their hemisphere. If you walk through the circles from the perspective of the sun, all the other positions make sense. The Celtic time wheel diagram (below) might bring clarity too.    

  While on the subject of perspective, the Celtic five-fold symbol can be used as an awareness-broadening mandala. You can easily fall into the interconnecting circles and find a depth in meaning that otherwise could be overlooked in a superficial glance. For instance, as I dove into the symbol, I discovered the segments of the Celtic year nestled in the center (fifth element) circle. I made this diagram to illustrate:

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• 
     Fox:
   As animal alchemy symbols, foxes are the cultivators of the Elixir of Life. They were also thought to be able to transform themselves into human form at night and visit the elderly, giving them sips of the mystical Elixer to prolong their life and health. As a solar animal, the fox is symbol of fire and all this meaning entails. I've written another page on this website about other persepectives and symbolic information on the fox here.
• Ibis:
   Alchemically speaking, the ibis is the harbinger of lunar functions, cycles of time, measure and movement. To say the least, its role in alchemical symbolism should not go  unnoticed by any practitioner. Great importance was placed on the moon, and the ibis would be depicted on alchemical scripts as a sort of placation for successful transmutations. 
  
• 
     Lion:
   The lion animal alchemy symbol is held in the highest regards of the tradition. So much so that it symbolizes gold or the sun - the very highest characteristics of ascension and enlightenment. Furthermore, due to its virility, strength, and perceived courage, the lion was seen as the ultimate protector of alchemical secrets, as well as keeper of the underworld. For more information on the lion, go to my Lion Symbolic Meanings page here.  
   
  
• 
     Ostrich:
   Alchemical legend has it that the stomach of the ostrich was capable of digesting anything. Therefore, "ostrich" was the name given to any one of the acids used in the processes of transmuting ordinary gold and ordinary silver into their philosophic counterparts. 
  
• 
     Peacock:
   Representative of glory, immortality, royalty, and incorruptibility. Obviously, a possessor of some of the most admired human characteristics, the peacock is a symbol of  integrity and the beauty that can be achieved when we endeavor to better ourselves. See see peacock tail for further alchemical meaning on the peacock. You may also be interested in the symbolic meaning of feathers or the symbolic meaning of finding feathers on your path. I've also written a page on peacock symbolism here. 
  
• 
     Phoenix:
   This animal alchemy symbol is the archetypal bird. It rises, reborn, out of its own ashes, representing the alchemical process of death and rebirth. The phoenix is a highly used emblem in alchemy, representing the purifying and transforming fire, the chemical element sulfur (see Elemental Alchemy Symbol Meaning here) and the color red. Embroidered, the phoenix reminds us of our ability to regenerate from within, and our power in transformation. 
  
• Raven:
   Or rather, the Raven King in alchemical terms, the raven was the taboo bird in all  alchemical traditions. It was said that three Raven Kings were associated with the bird's  transforming powers of death and decay. Further, the raven was hailed for it's ability to decompose everything in its path. This was considered an attribute because putrefaction must take place so that the body can be joined with the soul. Although an emblem of death in the alchemical realm, the  raven was also long relied upon for its connection with the ethereal, darker forces at work  and would often be invoked during difficult transmutations and particularly complicated  operations. Learn more about the Raven by observing the symbolic meaning of Raven tracks. I've also written a page about the Native American perspective of the Raven here. Lastly, check out my full-page on Symbolic Raven Meaning here. 
  
• Uroboros:
   This symbol represents the cyclical nature of alchemic work. The serpent swallowing its  own tail is symbolic of cycles, eternal, and indivisible processes found in alchemical  practices. Alchemists' were also quite keen on matters of nature, and would often indicate  the Uroboros when the concept of rebirth, regeneration needed to be conveyed. Most  importantly, this powerful animal alchemy symbol stands for the maxim "one is all"  which is ultimately the hugest of philosophies to grasp. The Uroboros sets the souls intention on fathoming the "one is all" concept, and provides a focus to aid in  rebirth, and acceptance of the endless cycles of life. The Uroboros is a also a sublime alchemical symbol meaning infinity. I've written more about the symbolic Uroboros on my blog here.

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• "Just as the sun shines through a glass...the sun and the moon and all planets, as well as  all the stars and the whole chaos, are in man."

•   Jupiter: To temper Saturn's dark moods, Jupiter was summoned to counter with its optimistic characteristics. Jupiter alchemy planet symbols were evident in practices needing a higher, finer frequency. This is due to the fact that Jupiter universally recognized as the planet of the higher mind. Additionally, it represents generosity, goodness and opportunity. More about Jupiter here.
• Mars: Mars alchemy planet symbols are shared with the sign of iron, and it is also noteworthy that this is the same sign for man or maleness. As such, alchemical Mars rules physical strength, and symbolizes predominantly male energy. Philosophically, Mars represents a need to temper primal urges while at the same to embracing the fire within. Click here for more symbolic details about Mars
•  Mercury: When Mercury alchemy planet symbols are seen in ancient texts, it represents fluidity, transformation, and intellect. As the only common metal liquid at ordinary temperatures, Mercury was highly interesting to alchemists, as it easily fused with other metals. Alchemical Mercury is the "essence," salt is the "body," and sulfur is the "oil" clinging to Mercury. See full page on Mercury symbolism here.
•  Moon: Alchemically speaking, the moon represents Silver, the Lesser Work, or Mercury. It reaches stronger potential when joined with the sun, or Gold in the Greater Work. In more practical terms, the moon represents fertility, resurrection, occult power, immortality and intuition. The moon is a feminine property and alchemists would incorporate it with the sun (gold) to assure balance. I've written more about moon symbolism here.
•  Saturn: Saturn alchemy planet symbols are seen in texts as governing the metal lead, which is one of the symbols for dark prime matter. Understood as having nefarious overtones, Saturn plays an important role in more sinister alchemical processes. On the other hand, Saturn represents order, strictures, and a gravitational pull to balance and moderation. Alchemist's understood that Saturn had a very "take matters into hand" energy and utilized this essence in practice as well. More on Saturn symbolism here.
•  Sun: Although not a planet, its importance was so great it was counted among the seven. This alchemy planet symbol was utilized focus on the act of creation. Specifically, creating desired effects in their practice – both physically and philosophically. The symbol also denotes creative energy, conscious self, and enlightenment. I've written more on the symbolism of the sun here.

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• The diamond is a symbol of refracting light to the alchemist. As such, the diamond is symbolic of the journey our souls make when we are trying to achieve higher understanding.  

  The goal for mankind is to walk a path on which our souls will shine and sparkle as brightly as the diamonds. On this path there will be many labyrinth turns (representative of the angles and facets of the diamond).

•  
   
  • Clarity
   
  • Vision
   
  • Awareness
   
  • Labyrinth
   
  • Journey

• Seven metals are associated with the seven classical planets, and seven deities, all figuring heavily in alchemical symbolism. Although the metals occasionally have a glyph of their own, the planet's symbol is used most often, and the symbolic and mythological septenary is consistent with Western astrology. The planetary symbolism is limited to the seven wandering stars visible to the naked eye, and the extra-Saturnarian planets such as Neptune are not used.
• 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
• The Monas Hieroglyphica is an alchemical symbol devised by John Dee as a combination of the planetary metal glyphs.
• "Squaring the circle": an alchemical glyph (17th century) of the creation of the philosopher's stone
• The alchemical magnum opus was sometimes expressed as a series of chemical operations. In cases where these numbered twelve, each could be assigned one of the Zodiac signs as a form of cryptography. The following example can be found in Pernety's 1758 Mytho-Hermetic Dictionary:

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• Being abundantly available in native form, sulfur (Latin sulphur) was known in ancient times and is referred to in the Torah (Genesis). English translations of the Bible commonly referred to burning sulfur as "brimstone", giving rise to the name of 'fire-and-brimstone' sermons, in which listeners are reminded of the fate of eternal damnation that await the unbelieving and unrepentant. It is from this part of the Bible that Hell is implied to "smell of sulfur" (likely due to its association with volcanic activity).
• A natural form of sulfur known as shiliuhuang was known in China since the 6th century BC and found in Hanzhong.^[43] By the 3rd century, the Chinese discovered that sulfur could be extracted from pyrite.^[43] Chinese Daoists were interested in sulfur's flammability and its reactivity with certain metals, yet its earliest practical uses were found in traditional Chinese medicine
• A Song Dynasty military treatise of 1044 AD described different formulas for Chinese black powder, which is a mixture of potassium nitrate (KNO
   3), charcoal, and sulfur.
• Indian alchemists, practitioners of "the science of mercury" (sanskrit rasaśāstra, रसशास्त्र), wrote extensively about the use of sulfur in alchemical operations with mercury, from the eighth century AD onwards.^[44] In the rasaśāstra tradition, sulfur is called "the smelly" (sanskrit gandhaka, गन्धक).

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• Hexagram 1 is named 乾 (qián), "Force". Other variations include "the creative", "strong action", "the key", and "god". Its inner (lower) trigram is ☰ (乾 qián) force = (天) heaven, and its outer (upper) trigram is the same.
• Hexagram 2 is named 坤 (kūn), "Field". Other variations include "the receptive", "acquiescence", and "the flow". Its inner trigram is ☷ (坤 kūn) field = (地) earth, and its outer trigram is identical.
• Hexagram 3 is named 屯 (zhūn), "Sprouting". Other variations include "difficulty at the beginning", "gathering support", and "hoarding". Its inner trigram is ☳ (震 zhèn) shake = (雷) thunder, and its outer trigram is ☵ (坎 kǎn) gorge = (水) water.
• Hexagram 4 is named 蒙 (méng), "Enveloping". Other variations include "youthful folly", "the young shoot", and "discovering". Its inner trigram is ☵ (坎 kǎn) gorge = (水) water. Its outer trigram is ☶ (艮 gèn) bound = (山) mountain.
• Hexagram 5 is named 需 (xū), "Attending". Other variations include "waiting", "moistened", and "arriving". Its inner trigram is ☰ (乾 qián) force = (天) heaven, and its outer trigram is ☵ (坎 kǎn) gorge = (水) water.
• Hexagram 6 is named 訟 (sòng), "Arguing". Other variations include "conflict" and "lawsuit". Its inner trigram is ☵ (坎 kǎn) gorge = (水) water, and its outer trigram is ☰ (乾 qián) force = (天) heaven.
• Hexagram 7 is named 師 (shī), "Leading". Other variations include "the army" and "the troops". Its inner trigram is ☵ (坎 kǎn) gorge = (水) water, and its outer trigram is ☷ (坤 kūn) field = (地) earth.
• Hexagram 8 is named 比 (bǐ), "Grouping". Other variations include "holding together" and "alliance". Its inner trigram is ☷ (坤 kūn) field = (地) earth, and its outer trigram is ☵ (坎 kǎn) gorge = (水) water.
• Hexagram 9 is named 小畜 (xiǎo chù), "Small Accumulating". Other variations include "the taming power of the small" and "small harvest". Its inner trigram is ☰ (乾 qián) force = (天) heaven, and its outer trigram is ☴ (巽 xùn) ground = (風) wind.
• Hexagram 10 is named 履 (lǚ), "Treading". Other variations include "treading (conduct)" and "continuing". Its inner trigram is ☱ (兌 duì) open = (澤) swamp, and its outer trigram is ☰ (乾 qián) force = (天) heaven.
• Hexagram 11 is named 泰 (tài), "Pervading". Other variations include "peace" and "greatness". Its inner trigram is ☰ (乾 qián) force = (天) heaven, and its outer trigram is ☷ (坤 kūn) field = (地) earth.
• Hexagram 12 is named 否 (pǐ), "Obstruction". Other variations include "standstill (stagnation)" and "selfish persons". Its inner trigram is ☷ (坤 kūn) field = (地) earth, and its outer trigram is ☰ (乾 qián) force = (天) heaven.
• Hexagram 13 is named 同人 (tóng rén), "Concording People". Other variations include "fellowship with men" and "gathering men". Its inner trigram is ☲ (離 lí) radiance = (火) fire, and its outer trigram is ☰ (乾 qián) force = (天) heaven.
• Hexagram 14 is named 大有 (dà yǒu), "Great Possessing". Other variations include "possession in great measure" and "the great possession". Its inner trigram is ☰ (乾 qián) force = (天) heaven, and its outer trigram is ☲ (離 lí) radiance = (火) fire.
• Hexagram 15 is named 謙 (qiān), "Humbling". Other variations include "modesty". Its inner trigram is ☶ (艮 gèn) bound = (山) mountain and its outer trigram is ☷ (坤 kūn) field = (地) earth.
• Hexagram 16 is named 豫 (yù), "Providing-For". Other variations include "enthusiasm" and "excess". Its inner trigram is ☷ (坤 kūn) field = (地) earth, and its outer trigram is ☳ (震 zhèn) shake = (雷) thunder.
• Hexagram 17 is named 隨 (suí), "Following". Its inner trigram is ☳ (震 zhèn) shake = (雷) thunder, and its outer trigram is ☱ (兌 duì) open = (澤) swamp.
• Hexagram 18 is named '蠱' (gŭ), "Correcting". Other variations include "work on what has been spoiled (decay)", decaying and "branch".^[1] Its inner trigram is ☴ (巽 xùn) ground = (風) wind, and its outer trigram is ☶ (艮 gèn) bound = (山) mountain. Gu is the name of a venom-based poison traditionally used in Chinese witchcraft.
• Hexagram 19 is named 臨 (lín), "Nearing". Other variations include "approach" and "the forest". Its inner trigram is ☱ (兌 duì) open = (澤) swamp, and its outer trigram is ☷ (坤 kūn) field = (地) earth.
• Hexagram 20 is named 觀 (guān), "Viewing". Other variations include "contemplation (view)" and "looking up". Its inner trigram is ☷ (坤 kūn) field = (地) earth, and its outer trigram is ☴ (巽 xùn) ground = (風) wind.
• Hexagram 21 is named 噬嗑 (shì kè), "Gnawing Bite". Other variations include "biting through" and "biting and chewing". Its inner trigram is ☳ (震 zhèn) shake = (雷) thunder, and its outer trigram is ☲ (離 lí) radiance = (火) fire.
• Hexagram 22 is named 賁 (bì), "Adorning". Other variations include "grace" and "luxuriance". Its inner trigram is ☲ (離 lí) radiance = (火) fire, and its outer trigram is ☶ (艮 gèn) bound = (山) mountain.
• Hexagram 23 is named 剝 (bō), "Stripping". Other variations include "splitting apart" and "flaying". Its inner trigram is ☷ (坤 kūn) field = (地) earth, and its outer trigram is ☶ (艮 gèn) bound = (山) mountain.
• Hexagram 24 is named 復 (fù), "Returning". Other variations include "return (the turning point)". Its inner trigram is ☳ (震 zhèn) shake = (雷) thunder, and its outer trigram is ☷ (坤 kūn) field = (地) earth.
• Hexagram 25 is named 無妄 (wú wàng), "Without Embroiling". Other variations include "innocence (the unexpected)" and "pestilence". Its inner trigram is ☳ (震 zhèn) shake = (雷) thunder, and its outer trigram is ☰ (乾 qián) force = (天) heaven.
• Hexagram 26 is named 大畜 (dà chù), "Great Accumulating". Other variations include "the taming power of the great", "great storage", and "potential energy." Its inner trigram is ☰ (乾 qián) force = (天) heaven, and its outer trigram is ☶ (艮 gèn) bound = (山) mountain.
• Hexagram 27 is named 頤 (yí), "Swallowing". Other variations include "the corners of the mouth (providing nourishment)", "jaws" and "comfort/security". Its inner trigram is ☳ (震 zhèn) shake = (雷) thunder, and its outer trigram is ☶ (艮 gèn) bound = (山) mountain.
• Hexagram 28 is named 大過 (dà guò), "Great Exceeding". Other variations include "preponderance of the great", "great surpassing" and "critical mass." Its inner trigram is ☴ (巽 xùn) ground = (風) wind, and its outer trigram is ☱ (兌 duì) open = (澤) swamp.
• Hexagram 29 is named 坎 (kǎn), "Gorge". Other variations include "the abysmal (water)" and "repeated entrapment". Its inner trigram is ☵ (坎 kǎn) gorge = (水) water, and its outer trigram is identical.
• Hexagram 30 is named 離 (lí), "Radiance". Other variations include "the clinging, fire" and "the net". Its inner trigram is ☲ (離 lí) radiance = (火) fire, and its outer trigram is identical. The origin of the character has its roots in symbols of long-tailed birds such as the peacock or the legendary phoenix.
• Hexagram 31 is named 咸 (xián), "Conjoining". Other variations include "influence (wooing)" and "feelings". Its inner trigram is ☶ (艮 gèn) bound = (山) mountain, and its outer trigram is ☱ (兌 duì) open = (澤) swamp.
• Hexagram 32 is named 恆 (héng), "Persevering". Other variations include "duration" and "constancy". Its inner trigram is ☴ (巽 xùn) ground = (風) wind, and its outer trigram is ☳ (震 zhèn) shake = (雷) thunder.
• Hexagram 33 is named 遯 (dùn), "Retiring". Other variations include "retreat" and "yielding". Its inner trigram is ☶ (艮 gèn) bound = (山) mountain, and its outer trigram is ☰ (乾 qián) force = (天) heaven.
• Hexagram 34 is named 大壯 (dà zhuàng), "Great Invigorating". Other variations include "the power of the great" and "great maturity". Its inner trigram is ☰ (乾 qián) force = (天) heaven, and its outer trigram is ☳ (震 zhèn) shake = (雷) thunder.
• Hexagram 35 is named 晉 (jìn), "Prospering". Other variations include "progress" and "aquas". Its inner trigram is ☷ (坤 kūn) field = (地) earth, and its outer trigram is ☲ (離 lí) radiance = (火) fire.
• Hexagram 36 is named 明夷 (míng yí), “Darkening of the Light.” Other variations are "brilliance injured" and "intelligence hidden". Its inner trigram is ☲ (離 lí) radiance = (火) fire, and its outer trigram is ☷ (坤 kūn) field = (地) earth.
• Hexagram 37 is named 家人 (jiā rén), "Dwelling People". Other variations include "the family (the clan)" and "family members". Its inner trigram is ☲ (離 lí) radiance = (火) fire, and its outer trigram is ☴ (巽 xùn) ground = (風) wind.
• Hexagram 38 is named 睽 (kuí), "Polarising". Other variations include "opposition" and "perversion". Its inner trigram is ☱ (兌 duì) open = (澤) swamp, and its outer trigram is ☲ (離 lí) radiance = (火) fire.
• Hexagram 39 is named 蹇 (jiǎn), "Limping". Other variations include "obstruction" and "afoot". Its inner trigram is ☶ (艮 gèn) bound = (山) mountain, and its outer trigram is ☵ (坎 kǎn) gorge = (水) water.
• Hexagram 40 is named 解 (xiè), "Taking-Apart". Other variations include "deliverance" and "untangled". Its inner trigram is ☵ (坎 kǎn) gorge = (水) water, and its outer trigram is ☳ (震 zhèn) shake = (雷) thunder.
• Hexagram 41 is named 損 (sǔn), "Diminishing". Other variations include "decrease". Its inner trigram is ☱ (兌 duì) open = (澤) swamp, and its outer trigram is ☶ (艮 gèn) bound = (山) mountain.
• Hexagram 42 is named 益 (yì), "Augmenting". Other variations include "increase". Its inner trigram is ☳ (震 zhèn) shake = (雷) thunder, and its outer trigram is ☴ (巽 xùn) ground = (風) wind.
• Hexagram 43 is named 夬 (guài), "Displacement" Other variations include "resoluteness", "parting", and "break-through". Its inner trigram is ☰ (乾 qián) force = (天) heaven, and its outer trigram is ☱ (兌 duì) open = (澤) swamp.
• Hexagram 44 is named 姤 (gòu), "Coupling". Other variations include "coming to meet" and "meeting". Its inner trigram is ☴ (巽 xùn) ground = (風) wind, and its outer trigram is ☰ (乾 qián) force = (天) heaven.
• Hexagram 45 is named 萃 (cuì), "Clustering". Other variations include "gathering together (massing)" and "finished". Its inner trigram is ☷ (坤 kūn) field = (地) earth, and its outer trigram is ☱ (兌 duì) open = (澤) swamp.
• Hexagram 46 is named 升 (shēng), "Ascending". Other variations include "pushing upward". Its inner trigram is ☴ (巽 xùn) ground = (風) wind, and its outer trigram is ☷ (坤 kūn) field = (地) earth.
• Hexagram 47 is named 困 (kùn), "Confining". Other variations include "oppression (exhaustion)" and "entangled". Its inner trigram is ☵ (坎 kǎn) gorge = (水) water, and its outer trigram is ☱ (兌 duì) open = (澤) swamp.
• Hexagram 48 is named 井 (jǐng), "Welling". Other variations include "the well". Its inner trigram is ☴ (巽 xùn) ground = (風) wind, and its outer trigram is ☵ (坎 kǎn) gorge = (水) water.
• Hexagram 49 is named 革 (gé), "Skinning". Other variations including "revolution (molting)" and "the bridle". Its inner trigram is ☲ (離 lí) radiance = (火) fire, and its outer trigram is ☱ (兌 duì) open = (澤) swamp.
• Hexagram 50 is named 鼎 (dǐng), "Holding". Other variations include "the cauldron". Its inner trigram is ☴ (巽 xùn) ground = (風) wind, and its outer trigram is ☲ (離 lí) radiance = (火) fire.
• Hexagram 51 is named 震 (zhèn), "Shake". Other variations include "the arousing (shock, thunder)" and "thunder". Both its inner and outer trigrams are ☳ (震 zhèn) shake = (雷) thunder.
• Hexagram 52 is named 艮 (gèn), "Bound". Other variations include "keeping still, mountain" and "stilling". Both its inner and outer trigrams are ☶ (艮 gèn) bound = (山) mountain.
• Hexagram 53 is named 漸 (jiàn), "Infiltrating". Other variations include "development (gradual progress)" and "advancement". Its inner trigram is ☶ (艮 gèn) bound = (山) mountain, and its outer trigram is ☴ (巽 xùn) ground = (風) wind.
• Hexagram 54 is named 歸妹 (guī mèi), "Converting the Maiden". Other variations include "the marrying maiden" and "returning maiden". Its inner trigram is ☱ (兌 duì) open = (澤) swamp, and its outer trigram is ☳ (震 zhèn) shake = (雷) thunder.
• Hexagram 55 is named 豐 (fēng), "Abounding". Other variations include "abundance" and "fullness". Its inner trigram is ☲ (離 lí) radiance = (火) fire, and its outer trigram is ☳ (震 zhèn) shake = (雷) thunder.
• Hexagram 56 is named 旅 (lǚ), "Sojourning". Other variations include "the wanderer" and "traveling". Its inner trigram is ☶ (艮 gèn) bound = (山) mountain, and its outer trigram is ☲ (離 lí) radiance = (火) fire.
• Hexagram 57 is named 巽 (xùn), "Ground". Other variations include "the gentle (the penetrating, wind)" and "calculations". Both its inner and outer trigrams are ☴ (巽 xùn) ground = (風) wind.
• Hexagram 58 is named 兌 (duì), "Open". Other variations include "the joyous, lake" and "usurpation". Both its inner and outer trigrams are ☱ (兌 duì) open = (澤) swamp.
• Hexagram 59 is named 渙 (huàn), "Dispersing". Other variations include "dispersion (dissolution)" and "dispersal". Its inner trigram is ☵ (坎 kǎn) gorge = (水) water, and its outer trigram is ☴ (巽 xùn) ground = (風) wind.
• Hexagram 60 is named 節 (jié), "Articulating". Other variations include "limitation" and "moderation". Its inner trigram is ☱ (兌 duì) open = (澤) swamp, and its outer trigram is ☵ (坎 kǎn) gorge = (水) water.
• Hexagram 61 is named 中孚 (zhōng fú), "Center Returning". Other variations include "inner truth" and "central return". Its inner trigram is ☱ (兌 duì) open = (澤) swamp, and its outer trigram is ☴ (巽 xùn) ground = (風) wind.
• Hexagram 62 is named 小過 (xiǎo guò), "Small Exceeding". Other variations include "preponderance of the small" and "small surpassing". Its inner trigram is ☶ (艮 gèn) bound = (山) mountain, and its outer trigram is ☳ (震 zhèn) shake = (雷) thunder.
• Hexagram 63 is named 既濟 (jì jì), "Already Fording". Other variations include "after completion" and "already completed" or "already done" . Its inner trigram is ☲ (離 lí) radiance = (火) fire, and its outer trigram is ☵ (坎 kǎn) gorge = (水) water.
• Hexagram 64 is named 未濟 (wèi jì), "Not Yet Fording". Other variations include "before completion" and "not yet completed". Its inner trigram is ☵ (坎 kǎn) gorge = (水) water, and its outer trigram is ☲ (離 lí) radiance = (火) fire.

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