(Alchemical symbols. From top to bottom: gold, platinum, silver, and copper.)
Look Beyond the Obvious
One thing you may want to file away in your own treasure hunting archives is that treasure signs and symbols come in all shapes, sizes, and cultural “flavors.” Most of the time in treasure hunting, there is not just a single interpretation of a given sign or symbol (or set of symbols) that is etched in granite and completely irrefutable.
Metal Detectors
You should understand here and now that a sign or symbol that means one thing in a certain treasure context may mean something totally different in a different context. Although certain treasure signs and symbols seem to be universal (and many are), as a treasure hunter you should always look beyond the obvious.
Alchemy as a Facet of Treasure Signs and Symbols
One little known facet of treasure signs and symbols is related to alchemy. The art of alchemy originated in Egypt and Arabia but eventually made its way to Europe by the time of the Middle Ages. In its most basic form alchemy’s aims were threefold:
1) Locating the Stone of Knowledge (the so-called “Philosophers' Stone”). This font of knowledge was considered the key to understanding all things physical and metaphysical, including the mysteries of life as we know it.
Treasure Hunting
2) Discovering the secret(s) of eternal youth, including prolonged health and well-being. A good example of this is Ponce de Leon’s search for the Fountain of Youth in the New World (Florida).
3) Finding the means to transform base metals (iron, lead, tin, etc.) into precious metals (gold, silver, platinum, and copper). This third and final aim was the single-most important driver of alchemy
throughout the Middle Ages and beyond despite its seemingly “lunatic fringe” quality.
One thing you may want to file away in your own treasure hunting archives is that treasure signs and symbols come in all shapes, sizes, and cultural “flavors.” Most of the time in treasure hunting, there is not just a single interpretation of a given sign or symbol (or set of symbols) that is etched in granite and completely irrefutable.
Metal Detectors
You should understand here and now that a sign or symbol that means one thing in a certain treasure context may mean something totally different in a different context. Although certain treasure signs and symbols seem to be universal (and many are), as a treasure hunter you should always look beyond the obvious.
Alchemy as a Facet of Treasure Signs and Symbols
One little known facet of treasure signs and symbols is related to alchemy. The art of alchemy originated in Egypt and Arabia but eventually made its way to Europe by the time of the Middle Ages. In its most basic form alchemy’s aims were threefold:
1) Locating the Stone of Knowledge (the so-called “Philosophers' Stone”). This font of knowledge was considered the key to understanding all things physical and metaphysical, including the mysteries of life as we know it.
Treasure Hunting
2) Discovering the secret(s) of eternal youth, including prolonged health and well-being. A good example of this is Ponce de Leon’s search for the Fountain of Youth in the New World (Florida).
3) Finding the means to transform base metals (iron, lead, tin, etc.) into precious metals (gold, silver, platinum, and copper). This third and final aim was the single-most important driver of alchemy
throughout the Middle Ages and beyond despite its seemingly “lunatic fringe” quality.
What Has This to do With Treasure Hunting?
So what has all this to do with treasure hunting and interpreting treasure signs and symbols? The straight answer is a lot more than you may think my friend.
Wolverine Boots
Dickies Work Clothes
Most of the early Spanish explorers and conquistadores
in the New World (i.e., North America, the Caribbean, Mexico, and South America) were very familiar with the basic principles of alchemy and with alchemical symbols. There is little doubt in my mind that in numerous instances the Spanish used alchemical symbols as part of their treasure sign and symbol lexicon. This is no great leap of faith here…just common sense.
A Good Example
Wolverine Boots
Dickies Work Clothes
Most of the early Spanish explorers and conquistadores
in the New World (i.e., North America, the Caribbean, Mexico, and South America) were very familiar with the basic principles of alchemy and with alchemical symbols. There is little doubt in my mind that in numerous instances the Spanish used alchemical symbols as part of their treasure sign and symbol lexicon. This is no great leap of faith here…just common sense.A Good Example
Finally, let me digress a bit here to give you a good example of how a specific treasure sign or symbol can have more than one interpretation or meaning. The ancient symbol for one of the 4 primary elements, air, is exactly the same as the alchemical symbol for gold which can be seen at the beginning of this post.
Now you can readily see how two symbols that are exactly the same can have totally different interpretations. However, if you are hunting down old Spanish troves in the U.S., I suspect the logical interpretation of the alchemical symbols just discussed will be related to the precious yellow metal.
Good hunting to all of you.
If you liked this post, you may want to read: "More on Treasure Signs and Symbols (Part 1)"
(Alchemy symbol.)
Now you can readily see how two symbols that are exactly the same can have totally different interpretations. However, if you are hunting down old Spanish troves in the U.S., I suspect the logical interpretation of the alchemical symbols just discussed will be related to the precious yellow metal.
Good hunting to all of you.
If you liked this post, you may want to read: "More on Treasure Signs and Symbols (Part 1)"
