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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, Tables, Canvases and Charts

Ignotas docet ire vias

It teaches you to travel unknown paths.

“Hydrography. Hydrographic map with its circles, & spinning tops/rhombuses.” The phrase is taken from Virgil’s Aeneid (Book VIII, line 113), where Aeneas explores new routes and alliances. – Jakob Bosch aka Boschius, Symbolographia sive de arte symbolica, 1702, Class 3, DCLI 651.

Tabula quid Claudis in una, quos mundo debes oculos?

Do you fix on a single bronze inscription – however important – the eyes you owe to the world?

“It takes care of representing Santa Maria Maggiore and having her sculpted in bronze. The same image, or painted panel, above her altar. From one to many. Do you fix on a single bronze inscription – however important – the eyes you owe to the world? Paraphrase from Ovid, Metamorphoses, Book IV, line 195” – Jakob Bosch, Symbolographia, Class 1, CCXLVI 246.

Ad omnia

For all things.

“From early childhood, young people should be exposed to the arts. Tabula rasa, or clean slate, with all the rest of the painting equipment.” – Jakob Bosch, Symbolographia, Class 3, CDXCII 492.

Quae forma placebit

Which shape do you like?

“He dedicates himself to the Supreme Pontiff in every religious service. The remains of the temple are described as having the shape of a cross.” – Jakob Bosch, Symbolographia, Class 1, CDL 450.

Decor omnis ab umbris

Painted board. All beauty comes from the shadows

Jakob Bosch, Symbolographia, Class 1, just ex index, 555.


Docet ire pericula caute

It teaches to approach dangers with caution.

“Providing the same for all.” – Jakob Bosch, Symbolographia, Class 1, just ex index, 555.

  • 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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