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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 Primitive Music
  • Boschius’s Ars Symbolica

Boschius’s Ars Symbolica, Diamonds

A diamond shines in the darkness.

Minuis dum perficis

In the process of refinement it decreases in size.

“Diamond cut” – Jakob Bosch aka Boschius, Symbolographia sive de arte symbolica, 1702, class 2, emblem I 1.

Sotto il ferro ma senza piaghe

Under the iron but without wounds.

“A diamond placed on an anvil, with a hammer looming over it. Face fate without suffering a wound from the iron.” – Jakob Bosch, Symbolographia, class 2, DCLVI 656.

Lucens nec ardens

Bright and not burning.

“Omnes ego: me nemo ferit. I am all: no one strikes me.” – Jakob Bosch, Symbolographia, 1702, class 2, emblem XXVII 27.

Pura mihi genesi

Pure for me, my genesis.

“There are many studies on the nature and composition of the purest particles of diamonds, Kircher states in “Mundus Subterraneus, the Underground World. A gem more precious than any other.” – Jakob Bosch, Symbolographia, class 2, DCII 652.

 Plus de fermeté que d’éclat

More firmness than brilliance.

“Stronger than clear.” – Jakob Bosch, Symbolographia, class 2, CDXCI 491.

Nec deficit armis

It doesn’t even lack weapons.

“A diamond that P. Alcazar wishes to be born sharp. Never without a knife/point/cusp.” – Jakob Bosch, Symbolographia, class 2, CDXCVIII 498.

Ornate round frame with a banner motto, enclosing a draped table and a small pyramid on top.

 A tenebris mihi maior honos

A greater reward/honor to me from the darkness.

“A diamond that shines in the darkness.” – Jakob Bosch, Symbolographia, class 1, DLIII 553.

Durat et lucet

It lasts over time and shines.

“Strong and illustrious. Diamond ring.” – Jakob Bosch, Symbolographia, class 2, CCXXI 221.

Ornate circular engraving with a banner and Latin motto, displaying a noose above a stage with a crown, framed by decorative scrollwork (date DCXC).

Rapientis reprimo vires

I hold with the strength of the grasper.

“He forcefully repelled the enemies and invaders of the Roman Empire, as well as those who had already taken over parts of it. A diamond that overcomes the force of a magnet.” – Jakob Bosch, Symbolographia, class 2, DCCCX 810.


Non mollior nec frangor

I am neither softened nor broken.

“It maintains consistency on both sides of fortune. A diamond between a hammer and a bowl of water.” – Jakob Bosch, Symbolographia, class 1, 482.


Splendidior nexu

More splendid through the bond.

“A diamond set in a ring.” – Jakob Bosch, Symbolographia, class 2, 330.


Nec ferro nec igne – Nec igne nec ictu

Neither by steel nor by fire – Neither by fire nor by blow.

“A diamond set in a ring.” – Jakob Bosch, Symbolographia, class 3, 315.


Duritia in pretio

Toughness as a reward.

“A diamond set in a ring.” – Jakob Bosch, Symbolographia, class 3, 342.


Oculis placet, et ligat aures

It pleases the eyes and unites the ears.

“Similar in appearance and powerful in speech. In the ear from a diamond.” – Jakob Bosch, Symbolographia, class 1, 313.

  • 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 Primitive Music
  • Boschius’s Ars Symbolica

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