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Alchemy 101 Trivia Quiz

Would you like to turn lead into gold, or prepare the elixir of life? Remember, however, that alchemy is not "the stupid mother of a wise daughter (chemistry)" but an independent spiritual discipline.

A multiple-choice quiz by ogonczyk. Estimated time: 5 mins.

Author
ogonczyk

Time
5 mins

Type
Multiple Choice

Quiz #
187,862

Updated
Dec 09 23

# Qns
10

Difficulty
Tough

Avg Score
5 / 10

Plays
2755

Last 3 plays: Guest 70 (2/10), Guest 94 (7/10), Guest 81 (1/10).

One at a Time - Single Page - Timed Game

Question 1 of 10

1. What is the supposed origin of the term "alchemy"? We know that the prefix "al-" came from the Arabic language but what about the rest of the word? Hint

All of these

From the Greek word 'chemeia', the art of metal casting..

From the native name of Egypt, 'Chem', meaning 'black earth'. Thus alchemy may mean the 'Egyptian art', or the 'art of the black earth'.

From the Greek word 'chumeia' ("chumos" = juice), the art of extracting juices from plants.

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Question 2 of 10

2. Which sequence of colors describes the proper order of the stages of alchemical transmutation? Hint

White, silver, red, gold

Brown, grey, orange, yellow

Black, green, yellow, purple

Black, white, yellow, red

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Question 3 of 10

3. What are the three essentials in alchemy? Hint

Water, fire and earth

Salt, sulphur and mercury

Thesis, antithesis and synthesis

Male, female and androgynous

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Question 4 of 10

4. What mysterious substance is absolutely necessary to achieve a successful transmutation? Hint

Philosophers' stone

Peacock's tail

Water that doesn't wet hands

Green lion

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Question 5 of 10

5. What other hermetic discipline is closely associated with alchemy? Hint

Geomancy

Ceremonial magic

Astrology

Augury

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Question 6 of 10

6. Who is traditionally named as the author of the Tabula Smaragdina (Emerald Tablet), the fundamental text of alchemy? Hint

Enoch

Hermes Trismegistos

Heraclitus

Lao-tse

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Question 7 of 10

7. What was the name of a semi-mythical, early medieval Arab alchemist (hint: he wasn't necessarily talking nonsense as Dr. Johnson has - erroneously - suggested)? Hint

Avempace or Ibn Badja

Avicenna or Ibn Sina

Jabir or Geber

Averroes or Ibn Rushd

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Question 8 of 10

8. Which of these is considered by many to be the most important (and also the most enigmatic) alchemist of the 20th century? Hint

Fillipelli

Fibonacci

Fulcanelli

Fabricius

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Question 9 of 10

9. There exists apparently well-documented cases of a successful transmutation of base metals into gold from well-respected scientists.

True

False

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Question 10 of 10

10. What was the most popular pejorative term used by true adepts to describe the vulgar amateurs in alchemy? Hint

Smokers

Cooks

Dabblers

Puffers

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Quiz Answer Key and Fun Facts

1. What is the supposed origin of the term "alchemy"? We know that the prefix "al-" came from the Arabic language but what about the rest of the word?

Answer: All of these

All three explanations are equally plausible.

2. Which sequence of colors describes the proper order of the stages of alchemical transmutation?

Answer: Black, white, yellow, red

In Latin, nigredo - albedo - citrinitas - rubedo. This refers to the changes of the color undergone by the substance being transmuted.

3. What are the three essentials in alchemy?

Answer: Salt, sulphur and mercury

The alchemical trinity of salt, sulphur and mercury is not to be taken in the literal sense. It parallels that of the body, soul and spirit. Water, fire and earth are three (out of four) elements in the traditional Western thought, while thesis, antithesis and synthesis constitute the dialectical process in the philosophy of Hegel. The
triad of the male, female and androgynous principles has some alchemical applications but it is not fundamental to this discipline.

4. What mysterious substance is absolutely necessary to achieve a successful transmutation?

Answer: Philosophers' stone

In Latin, "lapis philosophorum". This "stone" is usually described as a red powder. "The water that doesn't wet hands" was a term used by the Polish alchemist Michael Sendivogius, most probably to describe oxygen. "The green lion" is supposed to designate vitriol or iron sulphate. "The peacock's tail" refers to the sudden rush of colors on the surface of the substance undergoing the process of transmutation.

5. What other hermetic discipline is closely associated with alchemy?

Answer: Astrology

An intimate knowledge of astrology is very important for an alchemist who must be able to determine a propitious time for conducting his operations.

6. Who is traditionally named as the author of the Tabula Smaragdina (Emerald Tablet), the fundamental text of alchemy?

Answer: Hermes Trismegistos

Hermes Trismegistos (Thrice-Greatest Hermes), sometimes identified with the Egyptian god Thoth, is traditionally named as the author of the Emerald Tablet, a brief but extremely important alchemical text which includes the famous maxim, "As above, so below."

7. What was the name of a semi-mythical, early medieval Arab alchemist (hint: he wasn't necessarily talking nonsense as Dr. Johnson has - erroneously - suggested)?

Answer: Jabir or Geber

According to Dr. Samuel Johnson, the word "gibberish" (and perhaps also "jabbering") derives from the name of Jabir/Geber. However, the good doctor was in this case mistaken. We know next to nothing about Geber. In contrast, Averroes, Avicenna and Avempace are fully documented historical figures; also, Avicenna was actually Persian, not Arabian.

8. Which of these is considered by many to be the most important (and also the most enigmatic) alchemist of the 20th century?

Answer: Fulcanelli

Fulcanelli is the pseudonymous author of "The Mystery of Cathedrals" and "The Dwellings of Philosophers" in which he discusses the alchemical symbolism of various architectural monuments in France. His identity has been so far not discovered, although speculations abound.

9. There exists apparently well-documented cases of a successful transmutation of base metals into gold from well-respected scientists.

Answer: True

The famous scientist Helvetius (Johann Friedrich Schweitzer, 1625-1709) left a description of such an incident which had taken place in 1666. Several other testimonies include that of Van Helmont (1579-1644), a distinguished chemist and discoverer of carbon dioxide who coined the term "gas". There are also some artifacts (mostly medals and coins) in European collections which are said to have been made of alchemically transmuted metals. They often display unusual physical and chemical properties.

10. What was the most popular pejorative term used by true adepts to describe the vulgar amateurs in alchemy?

Answer: Puffers

This name referred to their obsessive preoccupation with the bellows (necessary to keep the fire's temperature at a steady level). They were also called "charcoal-burners" and worse.

Source: Author ogonczyk

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