The Iconologia of Cesare Ripa was conceived as a guide to the symbolism in emblem books. It was very influential in the 17th century and went through a number of editions. There were 9 Italian editions -1593, 1603, 1611, 1613, 1618, 1625, 1630, 1645, 1764-7 and 8 non Italian editions in other languages, 1644 French, 1644 Dutch, 1699 Dutch, 1704 German, 1709 English, 1760 German, 1766 French and 1779 English. Both the text and the emblems included in these editions varies greatly, and later editions use Ripa's idea, rather than following his text. The text transcribed here by Rawn Clark is an extract taken from a manuscript in the British Library Ms. Add 23195. Although it does not contain alchemical material as such, it does provide keys to the allegorical symbolism used in the hermetic tradition.
Quote of the Day
“The Word Alchemy, in the Arabic language means Fire. Alchemy is a very hidden part of Natural Philosophy and the most necessary part of Physics, which is the investigation of Nature; with it an Art is made that cannnot compare to no other, because it teaches to perfect all the precious stones imperfetions, to lead the human bodies affected by the disease towards a perfect health and to transmute imperfect bodily metals into gold and silver true. All this is done with a certain universal medicinal body of which all the particular medicines have received something and this medicinal body is preparing with the work of the hands, through a hidden ingenuity and an Art that only know the Sons of Truth”
Anonymous
Instruction from a Father to his son about the Solar Tree
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