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Post by Azvolrien on Feb 14, 2013 12:04:35 GMT -5
OK, so... Ssssstrictly speaking this isn't directly to do with the film, but I took these pictures for the sole purpose of comparing the symbols to those on the Talisman, so maybe it fits better here than in Other? I'unno, shift the thread if you think it'd fit better somewhere else. Caution: Big pictures ahead. These are photos of a genuine alchemical work from the 17th or 18th century (can't remember which), currently on display at the Science Museum, showing the symbols representing various substances and processes. OK, for a long time I was much of the opinion that for the Talisman symbols, they'd just made some stuff up that looked good. As it turns out, this is not entirely the case! Several of them are genuine alchemical symbols! For example, allow me to draw your attention to three on the first page: 'Calx viva' (quicklime), 'Cristallus' (crystal - I'll admit that one's not an exact match, but it was the closest I could see) and 'Sal gemmeum' (rock salt) - look at all familiar? A few of the ones around the edge of the Talisman are real, too - a few I've noticed are the symbols for gold (circle with a dot), 'dram' and 'scruple' on the second page, and that circle with a cross whose label I can't quite make out. It looks like 'vivide aris' or 'oris', but I'm not quite sure. Admittedly they seem to have chosen the genuine symbols at random rather than picking appropriate ones, but you can't have everything. XD
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Post by ~*~ShadowFox~*~ on Feb 14, 2013 14:35:47 GMT -5
Okay, first and foremost, I got all excited when you said "genuine alchemical work from the 17th or 18th century". Historical texts and books and artifacts are awesome, and I love them so~ The fact that this book is over a couple centuries old and it was actually written so long ago is really cool! X3
So I had to try to not squeal out loud in class when I saw the symbols, especially the quick lime. Oh my goodness, this is an amazing find! I'll be giving those symbols a closer look when I get out of class. XD This is so cool~
I need to go to this museum you visited and see everything else there. It sounds incredible~!
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Post by Azvolrien on Feb 15, 2013 2:32:16 GMT -5
I need to go to this museum you visited and see everything else there. It sounds incredible~! You'll have to make it quick - the alchemical texts are only on show until the end of April.
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