Fret 12 has three symbols, representing the "tria prima" of the alchemist, Paracelsus. In Paracelsian doctrine, the metals were composed of three "elemental" substances in various proportions: sulfur, mercury, and salt.
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| Alchemical Banjo | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| Continuing the tour, the neck contains a mixture of inlaid symbols. At frets 1, 3, 5, and 7, there are symbols for each of the four Greek elements. From the nut downward, the symbols are earth, water, air, and fire. You can see these symbols in their alchemical context, described here. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| Moving along to frets 10 and 12, we see symbols representing various metals and substances. At fret 10 are symbols for gold and silver, symbols which served dual purpose in representing the sun and moon as well. Fret 12 has three symbols, representing the "tria prima" of the alchemist, Paracelsus. In Paracelsian doctrine, the metals were composed of three "elemental" substances in various proportions: sulfur, mercury, and salt. |
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| At fret 15 begins a series of symbols representing the remaining metals known to the ancients, and the planets with which those metals were associated. At 15 is copper (Venus). At 17 is iron (Mars). At 19 is tin (Jupiter). At 21 is lead (Saturn) . See the symbols in their metal and planetary context, described here. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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