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LabyrinthDesigners & the Art of Fire

Alchemy works translations, commentaries, and presentations of hidden evidence in myths, art, nature, science history

  • Classical Alchemy
    • The State of the Art
    • An Intriguing Case
    • Opus Magnum Scheme
    • Turba Philosophorum’s Ambition
    • Areas of Interest
    • Index of the Names
    • Articles
    • Lexicon
  • Anatomy of an Alchemical Machine
  • The Sound Sacrifice
  • Boschius’s Ars Symbolica

Boschius’s Ars Symbolica, Chessboards and Pawns

Latrunculi, commonly known as chess pieces.

Mens habet una locum

The mind has a place.

“Dedicated exclusively to the cultivation of the mind and intellect. A Latrunculorum, or chess pieces, board. But the same, for which both the eagle and this chessboard were national symbols.” – Jakob Bosch aka Boschius, Symbolographia sive de arte symbolica, 1702, class 3, emblem CCCLXXIV 374.

Omnes eodem cogimur

We are all forced by the same thing.

“Latrunculi, commonly known as chess pieces. An outstretched hand made them re-enter the box/jar from the gameboard/vase/basin/riverbed/basket.” – Jakob Bosch, Symbolographia, class 3, DCCLXXXVI 786.

Mens habet una locum

The mind has a place.

“Dedicated exclusively to the cultivation of the mind and intellect. A Latrunculorum, or chess pieces, board. But the same, for which both the eagle and this chessboard were national symbols.” – Jakob Bosch aka Boschius, Symbolographia sive de arte symbolica, 1702, class 3, emblem CCCLXXIV 374.

Omnes eodem cogimur

We are all forced by the same thing.

“Latrunculi, commonly known as chess pieces. An outstretched hand made them re-enter the box/jar from the gameboard/vase/basin/riverbed/basket.” – Jakob Bosch, Symbolographia, class 3, DCCLXXXVI 786.

Nunquam devii

I have never deviated.

“A tenacious pontiff/pontifex of justice. Belonging to the standard-bearer of the Latrunculorum – or chess pieces – board.” – Jakob Bosch, Symbolographia, Class 3, CDLXXXIV 484.

Ornate engraving of a chessboard on a pedestal, set inside a decorative crest with scrollwork and banners.

Singula quaeque locum teneant sortita

Each one occupies the seat assigned to it.

“Correctly and appropriately organized. Gameboard/vase/basin/riverbed/basket or a Latrunculorum, or chess pieces, board.” – Jakob Bosch, Symbolographia, Class 3, DCLXXXII 683.

Nunquam a recto deflectit

It never changes from the frontside.

“Tenacious and champion of equality of arms. A rook on the chessboard always moves in a straight line. This game piece is called elephant by others. But the name of the tower is better suited to the people of Orvieto, to whom this symbol was adapted, since it is the sign of that nation.” – Jakob Bosch, Symbolographia, Class 2, CCLXXV 275.

Lex una attendere regi

One of the laws requires to serve the king.

“Devoted to the king in all things and committed to pursuing his interests. Latrunculi gameboard/vase/basin/riverbed/basket: commonly known as chessboard.” – Jakob Bosch, Symbolographia, Class 2, MLXXVI 1076.

Disce prius ferre queat

Learn before you can take on a role.

“X.” – Jakob Bosch, Symbolographia, class 3, CDXCI 491.

Non sorte moventur

They don’t let themselves be influenced by fate.

“Prudence moderates/limits both, avoiding acting rashly or imprudently. The standard-bearers in the chess board.” – Jakob Bosch, Symbolographia, Class 3, Just mentioned in index, 883.

Stant pro rege caduntque

They defend the king and fall.

“Pair of standard-bearers on the chessboard. They are a symbol of nobility.” – Jakob Bosch, Symbolographia, Class 1, Just mentioned in index, 675.

Next: Pebbles and Basins

Main List: Boschius’s Ars Symbolica

  • Classical Alchemy
    • The State of the Art
    • An Intriguing Case
    • Opus Magnum Scheme
    • Turba Philosophorum’s Ambition
    • Areas of Interest
    • Index of the Names
    • Articles
    • Lexicon
  • Anatomy of an Alchemical Machine
  • The Sound Sacrifice
  • Boschius’s Ars Symbolica

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