The lion is called the king of the beast, and the eagle was equally regarded as king of all the birds. As the griffin embodies characteristics of both lion and eagle, he is the monarch of both the heavens and the earth. Although most often seen and associated with mediaeval heraldry, representations of griffins date back thousands of years, as early as ancient Sumeria.
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Size: 2.75″ x 2.75″
Mixed media: oil, paper, ink, varnish, resin on canvas.
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Tagged as:
Animal,
Chimera,
Eagle,
Griffin,
Lion,
Mixed Media
A symbol that appears frequently in the emblematic illustrations of alchemy is the Green Lion. Typically he is shown grasping and devouring the sun. In metallurgic alchemy, the meaning of this is the power of sulphuric acid to dissolve all metals such as iron, copper, and even gold, the king of the metals (represented by the sun).
In organic alchemy, the alchemy of potions, the green lion stands for chlorophyll, made by plants “eating” sunlight. Modern interpretations of the “inner path” of alchemy see the green lion as a symbol of the way consciousness can be overwhelmed when bottled-up, intense emotions (the passions) are finally released. Have you ever loved something or somebody so much you wanted (perhaps irrationally) to simply devour them?
Size: 3.5″ x 2.5″
Mixed media: oil, paper, ink, varnish, gold pigment on canvas.
Tagged as:
Alchemical,
Animal,
Illumination,
Lion,
Mixed Media,
Sun
And there the lion’s ruddy eyes
Shall flow with tears of gold:
And pitying the tender cries,
And walking round the fold:
Saying: “Wrath by His meekness,
And, by His health, sickness,
Are driven away
From our immortal day.
“And now beside thee, bleating lamb,
I can lie down and sleep,
Or think on Him who bore thy name,
Graze after thee, and weep.
For, washed in life’s river,
My bright mane for ever
Shall shine like the gold,
As I guard o’er the fold.”
- William Blake, from “Night”
Size: 2.5″ x 3.75″
Mixed media: oil, paper, ink, and varnish on canvas.
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Tagged as:
Alchemical,
Animal,
Crown,
Elementals,
Feminine Divine,
Lion,
Sun
An allegorical emblem which connects the symbolic attributes of the planet Mars with the red lion of alchemy. Such attributes being strength, potency, fire, aggression.
Size: 2″ x 2″
Mixed media: oil, paper, ink, varnish, and gold pigment on canvas.
Tagged as:
Alchemical,
Animal,
Astrological,
Constellation,
Lion,
Mixed Media
This emblem, said to originate from a gnostic signet ring, shows abundant alchemical symbolism representing completion of the transmutation of base matter. The red lion, which is the philosopher’s sulfur, is joined to the serpent, the philosopher’s mercury. This resulting living being is crowned with a halo which tells us that it has become gold. The sun and moon represent light and darkness, truth and dream, in balance.
Size: 2″ x 2″
Mixed media: oil, paper, ink, varnish, and gold pigment on canvas.
Etsy link.
Tagged as:
Alchemical,
Animal,
Chimera,
Equinox,
Lion,
Mixed Media,
Serpent,
Snake
