Alchemical Symbolism in the VMS

[nablator]

Some time ago I made a few comparisons to Maier's and Milius's emblems. They really have a surprising resemblance to some of the VMs images. In fact, they are considered not actual because of their late date, therefore I searched for an earlier example. We discussed it at the You are not allowed to view links. Register or Login to view.. But saying about the 17th century examples, my favourite one is the emblem from The Philosophia reformata of J. D. Mylius. 1622 - the two rocks, the birds in a nest, the Earth between the rocks (T/O map implies the Earth, as well).

The illustration is indeed from Mylius' Philosophia Reformata (colorized) but the text it illustrates is actually Guy de Montanor's Scala Philosophorum, shamelessly plagiarized: You are not allowed to view links. Register or Login to view.

The central figure is similar to the 2nd emblem of the Atalanta Fugiens: You are not allowed to view links. Register or Login to view.

The salamander is mentioned only much later on page 315: You are not allowed to view links. Register or Login to view.
"ideo philosophi phoenicem et Salamandrem vocarunt." The phoenix is another symbol for the fire salamander.