Alchemy Indepth: The Human Transmutation Circle

The world of Fullmetal Alchemist is a highly fascinating one, and it all begins with one central concept: alchemy. Individuals who have the ability to analyze, destroy and recreate objects are called alchemists. There are two rules that and alchemist must follow: transmuting gold and trying to bring someone back from the dead is not allowed. In what had started the entire series, Ed and Al’s attempt in reviving their late mother, lies a complex symbol that plays an important role in their naïve attempt at the taboo called human transmutation. This is none other than the human transmutation circle.

The circle is a symbol of unity and spirituality, of wholeness and interconnection of everything. In alchemy, there is the principle of “All is One and One is All,” hence the shape.

The three big symbols in the middle of the transmutation circle refer to the Three Primes in alchemy, which are Sulphur (1), Mercury (2) and Salt (3). Mercury stands for the volatility of an object, and it denotes the spirit. Sulphur stands for the unctuousness of a substance, and it refers to the soul. Lastly, Salt refers to solidity, and it stands for the body. These three are the building blocks of alchemy, and can be considered as the equivalents of modern day neutrons, protons & electrons.

The hexagon refers to 6 of the 7 planetary metals in alchemy. During the middle ages, the 7 planets were considered to have ruled over these metals.

Silver (4), refers to the memory, the subconscious, and the emotions of the human being. In alchemy, it represents the stomach, breasts, [the] womb, bodily fluids and the left side of a person.

On the other hand, Gold (6) refers to vitality, authority, and individuality of a person. Alchemically, it stands for the heart, the back, the spinal cord, and the right side of a person.

Copper (8) refers to beauty and the ability to give affection & love, while it represents the neck, kidneys, ovaries, and veins.

Tin (5) refers to moral values, philosophy, and the abstract mind. In alchemy, this metal stands for the Arteries, hips, thighs, feet and liver.

Lead (7) signifies discipline & responsibility, and it stands for bones, joints, knees, skin & teeth.

Iron (9) signifies desire, energy & drive, it represents the head, the muscles and the sex organs.

The 7th and the missing planetary metal, Mercury refers to the mind, communication and intellect. Notice that due to this, the arms, hands & shoulders in the result of the transmutation were deformed. Furthermore, the transmuted body lacked the following parts: solar plexus, abdomen, lungs, intestine, the rest of the nervous & respiratory systems.

The text running all over the circle, in full, was taken from Ripley’s The Compound of Alchymy.

Pale white and black with false citrine, imperfect white and red,

The Peacock’s feathers in bright colours, the rainbow in the sky above,

The spotted panther, the green lion, the Crows beak blue as lead.

These shall appear before you in perfect white, and many more others.

And after the perfect white, grey, false citrine also,

And after these, there shall appear the red body invariable,

Then you have a medicine of the third order of his own kind multipliable.

This verse refers to the midway point in the creation of the Philosopher’s Stone. The flash of colors in the reaction is signified by the peacock’s tail in bright colours, while the phrase there shall appear the red body invariable refers to the creation of the Philosopher’s Stone. The peacock is also a symbol of renewal, which is sort of what Ed and Al are trying to do.

While the result of the transmutation has certainly been unpleasant, the author really did put a lot of thought into her work, as evidenced by just one of the dozens of transmutation circles she has created for the series.

-おわり-

Bibliography:

Alchemical Symbols. (n.d.). Retrieved November 23, 2009, from Purple HeII: http://www.purplehell.com/riddletools/alchemy.htm#basic

Cotnoir, B., & Wasserman, j. (2007). The Weiser Concise Guide to Alchemy.

Lerry, D. (1996). Retrieved November 23, 2009, from Alchemy Website: http://www.alchemywebsite.com/