Critical History of Nicolas Flamel and His Wife Pernelle

The label features a circular alchemical emblem. The central oval depicts a "pelican in her piety," a symbolic bird feeding its young with blood from its own breast. In the language of alchemy, this represents the "nourishing" of the philosophical matter. The bird sits atop a device with four roses, representing the elements or the stages of the work, while a radiant sun shines above, symbolizing the goal of gold or enlightenment.

original Latin: "Philosophia Hermetica." This refers to the esoteric tradition based on the writings attributed to the legendary figure Hermes Trismegistus.

[Flamel]
This refers to Nicolas Flamel (c. 1330–1418), a French scrivener who achieved posthumous fame as a legendary alchemist reputed to have discovered the Philosopher's Stone.