red ink

Ingredients

sulfur, mercury, mineral acids

Preparation Steps

Original Recipe Text

The manuscript describes chemical reactions as reflections of metaphysical principles. Red ink is used functionally and symbolically in the text. Jabir’s alchemical theory of the formation of metals is based on the combination of sulfur and mercury in varying proportions (p. 250). The transmutation of base metals like lead into noble ones like gold parallels the transformation of the human self (p. 251). The preparation of the 'Elixir' (al-iksir) is a central alchemical goal described as both a material substance and a representation of gnosis (ma'rifa) (p. 247, 252).

Evidence

"One is held at Umm al-Qurā University and is attributed to Ibn Ghānim al-Maqdisī; it contains 57 folios and is written in alternating black and red ink."

Remarks

This red ink is found in the Ibn Ghanim version of the manuscript, used in an alternating sequence with black ink (p. 253). The style of the manuscript is intentional in its obscurity, serving as a protective veil over sacred knowledge (p. 251). Jabir’s mastery of theoretical and practical aspects of chemistry is reflected in his development of laboratory equipment like the alembic and precise balances (p. 249, 250).