The image you see before you is an iconic and ancient representation of the four fundamental elements of the universe: fire, air, water, and earth. According to ancient alchemical, esoteric, and occult traditions, these elements are the foundation of all matter and energy, both in the macrocosm and the microcosm. The geometric symbols associated with each element hold deep archetypal meanings and correspondences with various aspects of human nature. The upward-pointing triangle, for example, represents fire, an active and masculine principle, while the downward-pointing triangle symbolizes water, a passive and feminine principle. The conjunction of the two triangles, forming the hexagram, represents the union of opposites, cosmic balance, and the manifestation of divine perfection."
"The phrase 'As above, so below; as within, so without; as the universe, so the soul,' attributed to Hermes Trismegistus, is a fundamental principle of alchemy and Hermeticism. It expresses the idea that everything that exists in the universe, from the farthest stars to the smallest particles, is interconnected and follows the same laws. Man, as a microcosm, reflects the entire universe within himself and can, through the knowledge of alchemical principles, bring about profound transformations both in his own nature and in the world around him. Studying the symbols of the elements and understanding their meaning is a first step towards this knowledge.
As Above
So Below
Source: "hermes the alchemists"
