The Little Peasant

A

An engraving displays an oval emblem containing a white pelican in a pose known as her piety. She sits on a nest and pierces her own breast to feed her young with her blood. In alchemy, this represents the process of extraction and the nourishment of the philosopher's stone. Above the bird, a golden sun shines. Below the bird, a square shield contains four red roses arranged in the shape of a cross. This likely refers to Rosicrucian symbolism. The central scene has a blue background and is surrounded by a circular border containing the title.

original: "PHILOSOPHIA · HERMETICA"

Hermetic Philosophy: A tradition of knowledge based on the writings attributed to Hermes Trismegistus. It focuses on the relationship between the divine, the cosmos, and humanity through alchemy and spiritual transformation.