Category: Culture/Art>> Historical Topics
Analysis:
*** Not only has made outstanding contributions to scientific cognition and practice, They have also relentlessly explored "secret techniques" that are considered "pseudoscience". The "secret arts" taught by *** mainly include alchemy, physiognomy and divination (such as mud divination). They are classified as "pseudoscience" because they use cryptic symbolic language. Alchemy is the main esoteric art, and traditional alchemy is actually a complete way of looking at things, including both the view of the universe, which is generally related to metallurgy, and the understanding of the soul, which often involves Spiritual psychotherapy. So alchemy was once considered a science and a method. Alchemy is based on the theory of "mutual compatibility" and believes that the way of existence of all things is "I am in you and you are in me". Therefore, one thing and other things can be converted into each other, not only the general attributes of things can Transformation, nature can also change. The so-called alchemy refers to a secret technique that changes the form and properties of matter in the face of a spiritual power symbolized by the philosopher's stone, but the prerequisite for material change is the transformation of human inner spirit. On the surface, alchemy is closely related to the material world, especially minerals and metals. It can be said that the development history of chemistry is inseparable from alchemy; but in essence, alchemy is not primitive chemistry, nor is it pure psychology. , which uses the changes in minerals, metals and other substances formed during the alchemical process to promote the transformation of the human soul.
*** Alchemy embodies a philosophy of essence, which is closely related to the general philosophy of Hermetic Theosophy in ancient Greece, and to the special principles of the transformation of minerals and metals into gold. . This theory of essential philosophy is based on Aristotle's theory of formal matter, which holds that all things in the universe originate from four kinds of primeval matter and four elements. The four primary substances are heat, cold, dryness, and moisture, and the four elements are water, earth, air, and fire. Through mutual transformation, the four kinds of original substances are combined into two kinds of original substances, namely sulfur and lu. However, the sulfur and mercury mentioned here are not minerals in the usual sense. Their meanings are similar to yin and yang in traditional Chinese philosophy. The combination of the two creates everything in the universe. For example, according to the theory of alchemy, the two primitives of sulfur and mercury are fused in different proportions, and under the action of certain mysterious factors, various metallic minerals can be produced. The interrelationship between these four substances, four elements and two origins.
In the history of Christianity, *** scholars have long debated the effectiveness of alchemy, with mixed praise and criticism. . Most orthodox religious scholars are opposed to alchemy and the occult arts in general, while most natural scientists and doctors, although they do not believe that ordinary metals can be turned into gold, accept the basic views of alchemy; the Aristotelian school Alchemy was generally viewed with disdain, while the Illuminati held a positive attitude. For example, Ibn Sina has made it clear that he does not believe that alchemy can turn ordinary metals into gold. However, he agrees with alchemy's theory of metal composition. The theory of metal composition in his famous book "The Book of Healing" , which is based on the alchemical theory of sulfur-mercury fusion.
*** Alchemy inherits the alchemical tradition of the ancient East, mainly Hermetic Theosophy centered on Alexander and Chinese alchemy. *** The earliest alchemist was the Umayyad prince Khalid ibn Yekid. At the beginning of the 8th century, alchemy was very popular, and its representative was Jabir ibn Hayyan (721-776), who was the disciple of Jafar Sadiq (699-765), the sixth imam of the Shiite sect. Disciple, whose works are regarded as classics by the Ismailis. Jabir's "Seventy Books" and "The Book of Balance" have always been regarded as the basic theoretical works of Christian alchemy and are the most important documents about alchemy written in Chinese. The famous Nazi doctor and alchemist Lazi created a new era of alchemy. He is credited with developing alchemy into the founder of ancient chemistry. Lacy's important contribution to chemistry lies in his classification of substances, which divided all substances into three categories: minerals, plants and animals. He also gave detailed descriptions of many chemical change processes, such as distillation, slow burning, filtration, etc. As a doctor, he was also interested in chemical medicine. In the history of traditional medicine, he was the first person to isolate alcohol and use it in medical practice.
Alchemy is more closely related to Sufi mysticism. Sufi mysticism advocates the spiritual cultivation of individual believers and pays special attention to alchemy, which has the effect of changing the human soul. Many terms used by Sufism to express this aspect of teachings come directly from alchemy. To this day, not only is the language of alchemy still popular among Sufi believers, but alchemical activities are also prevalent in some Sufi orders. In addition, the spiritual psychotherapy used by Sufism is also closely related to alchemy, which regards alchemy as a science about the soul.
The relationship between alchemy and Christian art is also extraordinary. Traditional Chinese poetry and music are not only deeply influenced by Sufi mysticism, but are also integrated with alchemical views. This is because alchemy is said to have an influence on the human soul, causing it to transform, and arts such as poetry and music are closely related to the transformation of the human soul.
In addition, in the plastic arts of Chinese architecture and handicrafts, such as calligraphy and geometric patterns, they are inseparable from harmony. The "balance" and "coordination" talked about in alchemy are in the harmony of colors and The symmetry of the structure and its symbolic meaning play a special role. Therefore, if you do not understand the influence of alchemy on aesthetic ideas such as color effects and artistic shapes, you will not be able to appreciate the temple architecture and sacrificial temples of the Timurid era. Carpets, tapestries and other artistic masterpieces of the Fawei era. Alchemy is a bridge that connects the craftsmanship of Chinese art with religious spirit and symbolic meaning, and is also a key to understanding the inner charm of Chinese art.
Perhaps the real magic - alchemy has been forgotten by people in the passage of time