File:FMC00.658.jpg

Image caption

FMC00.658 shows three 18th century illustrations, taken from 'Hermaphroditisches Sonn-und Monds-Kind' (1752) and 'Das buch der weissheit zum langen leben und vollkommenen reichthum' (1790). For variants of this image, see also the translation 'Hermaphrodite Child Of The Son And Moon' by Mike Brenner (1997), PDF freely available on the internet.

In ancient alchemical language, the image represents the process of calcination in alchemical transformation, the principle of purification using the fire. It symbolically depicts individual purification in and through fire (salamander) as part of a greater process of spiritual rebirth (pelican).

In spiritual scientific language (as presented on this site):

• Above: The pelican piercing its breast to feed its young with its blood, symbolizes self-sacrifice and spiritual rebirth. Also see the process of Individuation. It is placed on top of the cross representing the kingdoms of nature (see Schema FMC00.654 as per Plato: "the world soul is crucified as a cross on the body of the Earth"), indicating that this process is part of the individuation of the group souls of humanity. See also Schema FMC00.470
• In the middle: the circular alchemical furnace or vessel for transformation (of the human being), and within, the human 'I' works in the element warmth or fire (Schema FMC00.245) - the salamander lives in the fire. The flames are a metaphor for internal alchemical fire (eg Human 'I'#1913-12-30-GA266/3). Note: Carl Jung's interpretation of the fire is as a metaphor for inner psychological transformation and individuation as the I transforms through confrontation with and integration of the unconscious/subconscious.
• Around: The process is encircled by an ouroboros (a snake eating its own tail - see Schema FMC00.328) as the symbol of consciousness (the I wanting to know itself, see the three Logoi and the concept of mahat (Schema FMC00.568), as this human microcosm process is part of the large macrocosm as part of the Cosmic fractal and the cosmic cycle of IAO.

The image also illustrates how more complex symbols are typically composed of various interconnected symbols put in certain meaningful relations.