Alchemy

Alchemy used to be an ancient tradition of chemistry used to distinguish the spiritual and temporal nature of actuality, its structure, laws, and functions. Alchemy is often considered a prototype to the modern science of chemistry.

The word alchemy comes from the Arabic word al-kimia. Alchemy is a philosophy and practice which has sought means of transmuting one element into another (e.g., base metals into gold), an elixir of life or longevity, and the preparation of substances with unusual or unique properties. Alchemy involves a quest for knowledge and wisdom which in this sense is in terms of chemistry and science.

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, and liquors.

History
Alchemy covers several philosophical traditions spanning some four millennia and three continents. These traditions' general penchant for cryptic and symbolic language makes it hard to trace their mutual influences and "genetic" relationships. 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.

 Aristotle taught that all matter consisted of four fundamental constituent factors or elements—air, water, earth, and fire. All matter was supposed to incorporate these four elements in different combinations and proportions. The changes that a substance could be made to undergo, for example, the burning of wood or the boiling of water, corresponded to a change or changes in the proportions of these four elements within that substance. Thus, alchemy ultimately gave rise to modern chemical thought and, gradually, the goals of alchemy were abandoned. In a broad sense, alchemy can be regarded as a prelude to the chemistry we know today.   **Alchemy 101**  All of these (From the native name of Egypt, 'Chem', meaning 'black earth'. Thus alchemy may mean the 'Egyptian art', or the 'art of the black earth'., From the Greek word 'chemeia', the art of __metal casting__.., From the Greek word 'chumeia' ("chumos" = juice), the art of extracting juices from plants.)
 * [[image:http://www.funtrivia.com/img/i/vs_red.gif width="11" height="6" align="absmiddle"]]**What is the supposed origin of the term "alchemy"? We know that the prefix "al-" came from the Arabic __language__ but what about the rest of the word?** ||

Black, white, red
 * [[image:http://www.funtrivia.com/img/i/vs_red.gif width="11" height="6" align="absmiddle"]]**Which sequence of colors describes the proper order of the stages of alchemical transmutation?** ||

Salt, sulphur and mercury
 * [[image:http://www.funtrivia.com/img/i/vs_red.gif width="11" height="6" align="absmiddle"]]**What are the three essentials in alchemy?** ||

Philosophers' stone
 * [[image:http://www.funtrivia.com/img/i/vs_red.gif width="11" height="6" align="absmiddle"]]**What mysterious substance is absolutely necessary to achieve a successful transmutation?** ||

Astrology
 * [[image:http://www.funtrivia.com/img/i/vs_red.gif width="11" height="6" align="absmiddle"]]**What other hermetic discipline is closely associated with alchemy?** ||

Hermes Trismegistos
 * [[image:http://www.funtrivia.com/img/i/vs_red.gif width="11" height="6" align="absmiddle"]]**Who is traditionally named as the author of the Tabula Smaragdina (Emerald __Tablet__), the fundamental text of alchemy?** ||

Jabir or Geber
 * [[image:http://www.funtrivia.com/img/i/vs_red.gif width="11" height="6" align="absmiddle"]]**What was the name of a semi-mythical, early medieval Arab alchemist (hint: he wasn't necessarily talking nonsense as Dr. Johnson has - erroneously - suggested)?** ||

Fulcanelli
 * [[image:http://www.funtrivia.com/img/i/vs_red.gif width="11" height="6" align="absmiddle"]]**Which of these is considered by many to be the most important (and also the most enigmatic) alchemist of the 20th century?** ||

y
 * [[image:http://www.funtrivia.com/img/i/vs_red.gif width="11" height="6" align="absmiddle"]]**There exist apparently well-documented cases of a successful transmutation of base metals into gold from well-respected scientists.** ||

 Puffers  
 * [[image:http://www.funtrivia.com/img/i/vs_red.gif width="11" height="6" align="absmiddle"]]**What was the most popular pejorative term used by true adepts to describe the vulgar amateurs in alchemy?** ||



Diagram related to Alchemy: 