Collection of Alchemical Manuscripts

29: Purification.

original: "Purgatio"

A hand-colored alchemical emblem is centered on a manuscript page. The illustration shows a spherical glass vessel, called a cucurbit: a gourd-shaped chemical vessel used in distillation, which is half-filled with a dark liquid. This liquid features golden rippling highlights on its surface. A bird with white and grey plumage, resembling a swan or goose, is shown diving head-first into the liquid with its wings fully extended. In alchemical symbolism, a diving bird often represents the descent of spirit into matter or the process of cleansing. The vessel is sealed at the top with a brown, conical stopper decorated with a spiral or tiered pattern. Above the flask floats a decorative, stylized white banner with curling ends. It is inscribed with the text: 29: Purification. The entire illustration is mounted on a larger sheet of paper, which is framed by thin, light-colored ruled lines.

Purification: The act of cleansing or refining a substance.
Alchemy: The medieval forerunner of chemistry, focused on the transformation of matter.
Cucurbit: A glass vessel used in the laboratory.
Purification: The process of removing impurities.
Swan: A bird often used to symbolize the white stage of alchemy or the process of cleansing.
Emblem: A symbolic picture accompanied by a motto or text.