animal alchemy symbols

Animal Alchemy Symbols

Last Updated on March 28, 2023 by Avia

Animal Alchemy Symbols and Meanings: Animals have long held mystique and fascination for every population, culture and tradition. Alchemy is no different in that great symbolism was placed upon certain animals. True alchemical practices were (and still are) highly guarded. Concrete facts are hard to come by.

About Animal Alchemy Symbols

All of the information on my alchemy pages is well-researched, but there are still some gray areas in the annals of alchemy. This being the case, let your imagination wander a bit, back to the ages when alchemy had its very strongest heartbeat. Immerse yourself in that ancient era and get your own feel for each animal alchemy symbol.

In short, enjoy yourself as you peruse these animal alchemy symbols and their meanings. Let their presence seep into your consciousness and allow them to present their own personal message to you in a meaningful way.

alchemy animal totem meaning
Alchemy animal totem meaning

Please bear in mind the animal alchemy symbols listed below are just a handful. There are tons of animals associated with the system of alchemy. Why? Because animals are pure energy. They represent pure strength and ancient wisdom. I mean, let’s face it, animals populated this earth long before humans came along.  Therefore, it makes sense to associate animal meanings with a sacred belief system like alchemy.

“Alchemy is no mere fantasy, but a philosophy
applied to the world, to the elements,
to the animals,
and to man himself.”

~W.B. Yeats
Animal Alchemy Symbols

Common Alchemy Symbols In The Animal Kingdom

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. Learn more about ostrich messages and meanings here.


Peacock

A 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 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. Learn more about symbolic phoenix meanings here.


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 also a sublime alchemical symbol meaning infinity.  Get more about the symbolic meaning of the Uroboros here.

Mighty brightly,

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Alchemy Symbol Meanings Main Page

Alchemy symbols provide us with a wide variety of insights into the potential transformation of the human landscape – both internal and external. Consequently, putting the science of alchemy together with its underlying philosophy of inner transformation opens up a broad range of power in our lives. Learn more about alchemy symbol meanings here.

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