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[Alexandr Korol]

“History of Alchemy
Alchemy encompasses several philosophical traditions spanning four millennia and three continents. The common tendency of these traditions toward mysterious and symbolic language makes it difficult to trace their mutual influence and “genetic” relationships. At least three major branches can be distinguished, which appear to have been largely independent in their earlier stages: Chinese alchemy, centered in China and its cultural sphere; Indian alchemy, centered on the Indian subcontinent; and Western alchemy, which developed around the Mediterranean and whose center shifted over the centuries from Greco- Roman Egypt to the Islamic world and finally to medieval Europe. While Chinese alchemy was closely tied to Taoism, and Indian alchemy to Dharmic beliefs, Western alchemy developed its own philosophical system that was largely independent but influenced by various Western religions. The question of whether these three branches have a common origin and to what extent they influenced each other remains open.”

“Alexandrian Alchemy
Alchemy took shape during the era of Late Antiquity (2nd–6th centuries AD) within the Alexandrian cultural tradition and represents a form of ritual Hermetic art. Alchemy is largely based on Aristotle’s doctrine of the four primary elements. The oldest surviving alchemical manuscript from antiquity is the Stockholm Papyrus (circa 3rd century AD), which provides insight into the chemical knowledge of the people of Ancient Egypt and Greece during classical antiquity. This papyrus served as an important link in the transmission of practical knowledge from the Alexandrian (ancient Egyptian) world to Byzantium and Western Europe.”