DiotimosReading Desk

Diotimos Library · Esotericism & Spirituality Collection · Bilingual Edition

Attributed to Abraham the Jew

The Manly Hall Manuscript Collection, Volume I

Book of Hieroglyphic Figures

Explore the Lexicon
The Manly Hall Manuscript Collection, Volume IFables and the Philosophical Work · Manuscript 22r · Scan 63

Swipe or use the arrow keys.

Facing Pages · Branch 56 of 351

Fables and the Philosophical Work · Manuscript 22r · Scan 63

Book Mode

French

Ms. 22r

mais dans les opérations chimiques, développons ce que ces choses signifient.

Avant tout, ces trois vaillants héros, qui sont au-dessus du rang des mortels, ne représentent et ne signifient qu’un feu ou qu’une eau philosophique ; mais comme elle est composée de plusieurs substances, et qu’elle passe par différentes préparations, elle est considérée en différentes manières comme on le verra dans la suite.

Mais nous devons vous dire ce que signifient dans les opérations chimiques, la massue d’Hercule, la peau du lion de Némée qu’il porte pour ornement, et que veulent dire les brodequins ailés de Persée, son armement, son sabre, le cheval ailé qu’il monte, aussi bien que le miroir de Minerve, et enfin ce que marque la prudence de Jason, les préservatifs, les enchantements, les poisons et les remèdes dont il se sert.

La peau du Lion Rouge ou de Némée, dont Hercule se sert pour ornement ou comme d’un manteau royal représente l’esprit mercuriel qu’on appelle lion rouge ou cerf rouge, suivant ce proverbe usé des philosophes, qu’on convient que ce qui a la tête rouge se cache pour être

Ms. 22r

The Manly Hall Manuscript Collection, Volume I: Fables and the Philosophical Work

Ms. 22r

but in chemical operations, let us unfold what these things signify.

First of all, these three valiant heroes, who stand above the rank of mortals, represent and signify only a single fire or a single philosophical water. But because it is composed of several substances and passes through different preparations, it is considered in different ways, as will be seen in what follows.

We must tell you what the club of Hercules and the Nemean lion’s skin he wears as an adornment signify in chemical operations; what Perseus’s winged buskins, his armor, his sword, the winged horse he rides, and Minerva’s mirror mean; and, finally, what Jason’s prudence, protective remedies, enchantments, poisons, and medicines indicate.

The skin of the Red or Nemean Lion, which Hercules uses as an adornment or royal mantle, represents the mercurial spirit called the red lion or red stag. This follows a well-worn proverb of the philosophers: it is agreed that whatever has a red head hides itself in order to be

Ms. 22r

About This Reading Edition

The first manuscript in the Manly Palmer Hall collection at the Getty Research Institute: the Book of Hieroglyphic Figures, presented in French and English with 463 explanatory notes, 13 manuscript plates, 25 source details, an introduction, chapter outline, glossary, bibliography, and register of readings.

Historical Text and Translation

Book of Hieroglyphic Figures (Livre des figures hiéroglyphiques), attributed in the witness to Abraham the Jew. Getty Research Institute, Manly Palmer Hall collection of alchemical manuscripts, accession 950053, Box 1, Hogart manuscript 3; French witness catalogued circa 1800. Manly Palmer Hall is the collector, not the author.

About Diotimos Editions

This historical edition credits Diotimos Editions as its English translator.

Rights

The circa 1800 source manuscript is public domain. The supplied 2026 French reading transcription, English translation, introduction, notes, outline, glossary, register, and editorial arrangement are published with the site owner’s authorization. Source photographs are credited to the Getty Research Institute and Internet Archive in the supplied edition.