And this is a deciphering of the meanings of alchemical symbols from the Internet:
In alchemical drawings, the orb in the form of a scepter, often topped with a cross or another symbol, carries deep symbolic meaning.
1. Symbol of authority and wholeness: The scepter held by monarchs traditionally symbolizes power, dominion, and completeness. In alchemy, it can reflect the pursuit of complete transformation and mastery over natural elements, embodying the attainment of supreme knowledge and absolute wholeness.
2. Combination of the earthly and the divine: The orb represents the earthly, material, tangible realm. The cross or other emblem atop it symbolizes the divine principle, the spiritual realm. This imagery symbolizes the union of the material and spiritual worlds, a central theme in alchemy.
3. Alchemical goal — the philosopher’s stone: In alchemy, the orb can symbolize the completion of an exhaustive process aimed at creating the philosopher’s stone. According to belief, this stone grants immortality and the ability to transmute base metals into gold, implying full spiritual and physical transformation.
4. Microcosm and macrocosm: The orb may also represent the concept of microcosm and macrocosm — the interconnection between the smaller inner world of the individual soul and the larger external cosmos. This reminds alchemists that any transformation within oneself reflects and influences the surrounding universe.
The depiction of the scepter in alchemical drawings is a symbolic reminder of alchemy’s ambitious goals. It is the aspiration to unite the physical and spiritual, achieving wholeness and understanding of the universe in its purest and most enlightened form.
In alchemy, the completion of the philosopher’s stone creation process is often represented by a symbol combining various emblems reflecting balance and harmony. One of the most famous symbols is the “Rebis” (Latin for “double thing”), depicting an androgynous figure uniting masculine and feminine principles. Here are some key aspects of this symbol: