SUMMARY :

• 1) The origin of the chemical symbol for gold
• 2) Its significance in different cultures and civilizations
• 3) Its importance in economics, religion and alchemy

1) The origin of gold's chemical symbol (Au)

As mentioned in the opening pages of this guide, the chemical symbol for gold is ‘Au’. This term is the root of the Latin word ‘aurum’, meaning “dawn” or ‘the brilliance of dawn’. It is also mentioned in the Indo-European root ‘aus’, meaning ‘golden light of the rising sun’.

Whatever its historical, geographical or etymological origin, we understand that gold is identified with the brilliance and characteristic yellow glow of the sun, the source of light, warmth and life.

So it's hardly surprising that gold has always been associated with signs of power and wealth, and equated with the divine and with power.

It was only in the 19th century, with Dmitri Mendeleev's classification of the elements, that ‘Au’ became the universal abbreviation for gold in modern chemistry. In Mendeleyev's periodic table, gold has the atomic number 79. This means that the nucleus of the gold atom contains 79 protons.

Caption: Extract from Mendeleyev's Period Table of Chemical Elements

Gold is also considered a transition metal as defined by the International Union of Pure and Applied Chemistry(IUPAC). More precisely, it defines gold as "a chemical element whose atoms have an incomplete electron sublayer, or which can form ions with an incomplete electron sublayer".

In other words, transition metals are good conductors of electricity. They are also solid under normal conditions of temperature and pressure. As other elements, they have a high density and melting temperature.

2) Its significance in different cultures and civilizations

3) Its importance in economics, religion and alchemy

Whatever the culture or civilisation, gold is not just a material possession. It also implies a strong immaterial dimension, a symbolism, an ideal.

At times a sign of the power of the gods on earth, of wisdom, of the immortality of the soul, of social status, of political or economic power... gold is a multifaceted metal.

There is, however, one common denominator to all these symbolic meanings: the time factor. Gold has survived the centuries and adapted to human cultures, religions, art, alchemy and economics.

Ultimately, an understanding of these symbols provides a clearer picture of how humanity projects its hopes, ambitions and fears, as well as its ideals, onto a material that is at once tangible, mythical and mystical.

      The role of gold in the economy 

Because of its rarity, durability and divisibility, gold was one of the first metals used to mint money. Over the centuries, gold even became the standard for international currencies, reaching its apogee with the introduction of the gold standard system in force in the 19th and 20th centuries. 

The symbolism is significant, since with this monetary system, the stability of the major currencies at the time was based on the gold reserves held by the central banks. 

Even though the gold standard was finally abandoned, central banks still hold this golden metal in high esteem, since all the world's major powers (with the exception of Canada) hold substantial gold reserves. 

It is a strategic economic asset for governments, central banks and investors, particularly as a safe haven in times of economic or financial crisis. 

      The role of gold in religion 

The symbolism associated with gold is also spiritual and religious. Indeed, this golden metal is present in all the major religions as a symbol of the divine and a material for offerings. The following are just a few examples:

- In Judaism, the Ark of the Covenant was made from acacia wood and covered in pure gold. Gold is also used for ritual objects such as the hanukkiyah (nine-branched candlestick), the kiddush with ritual cups, the crowns for the Torah scrolls, etc.

- In Christianity, the Magi offered gold at the birth of Jesus, symbolising his royalty and divinity. Even today, gold liturgical objects (chalices, cups, crosses) express the presence of God.

- In Islam, the importance of moderation and ethics in the use of material wealth is emphasised. Men are encouraged not to wear gold, for example. However, gold is still very much in evidence in the decorative arts and monuments.

- In Hinduism and Buddhism, gold is used for shrines, Buddha statues, stupas, etc. The faithful offer gold to express their devotion and accumulate merit.

Caption: The Ark of the Covenant

      The role of gold in alchemy 

First of all, it should be remembered that alchemy, carried by personalities such as Nicolas Flamel (1330-1417), Paracelsus (1493-1541) or Fulcanelli (first half of the nineteenth century), is a protoscience that defines itself as “a set of practices and speculations related to the transmutation of metals”. In other words, an occult science of the Middle Ages that advocated for example the transformation of metals (such as iron, lead, mercury) into gold (legend of the philosopher’s stone). 

It is therefore understood that in the alchemical tradition, gold is at the heart of reflections because of its symbol of perfection. Indeed, at that time, alchemists considered gold to be “the culmination of a process of purification and spiritual transformation”. 

The symbolism was very powerful since gold was synonymous with enlightenment, perfection of the soul and divine wisdom. In essence, the very raison d'être of alchemy aimed at transforming a metal into gold was ultimately to transform its «inner being». 

Beyond the scientific prowess, transforming this golden metal was therefore a means of achieving an ideal for alchemists, convinced that this transformation allowed to connect the material with the spiritual, to get closer to the perfection of the gods. 

Proof of this is that the myth of the philosopher’s stone was based on three essential properties: 

• Change the metals vils in precious metals 
• Cure diseases 
• Extending human life beyond its natural limits, namely “eternal life”.