The History of Alchemical Symbols
Alchemical symbols, often called *notae*, were used by medieval and Renaissance alchemists to hide their discoveries from the public and to provide a shorthand for laboratory work. These symbols represent the fusion of chemistry, astrology, and mysticism.
The Tria Prima (Three Primes)
Paracelsus established the theory that all things are composed of three basic principles:
- Sulfur (🜍): Representing the Soul and the principle of flammability.
- Mercury (☿): Representing the Spirit and the principle of volatility.
- Salt (🜔): Representing the Body and the principle of stability.
Common Uses Today
Today, these symbols are highly popular in aesthetic web design, tattoo art, and "dark academia" themes. Because they are part of the standard Unicode set (Alchemical Symbols block), they can be used anywhere you can paste text, including Instagram bios, Discord servers, and Twitter profiles.