The Rebis (from the Latin res bina, meaning dual or double matter) ch. 4, endnote 44 is variably identified as either or both the end product of the alchemical magnum opus (or great work) p. 94 p. 136 or/and the initial state of matter. p. 173 It is heavily associated with the principle of hermaphroditism, or the combination of the male and female sexes into one being.
The Rebis is sometimes associated with the primordial state of the world, or the prima materia. While described methods to create the Rebis vary in their specifics, a common theme is the putrefaction of a starting matter into the chaos of nigredo. This is followed by its separation into its parts, such as masculine or feminine. This phase is also called albedo. Finally, the parts are recombined into a whole, achieving the Rebis.
The Rebis is associated both with divinity and with hermaphroditism, so it is sometimes called the "divine hermaphrodite." Introduction Generally, the Rebis is a symbol of the coniunctio, or the conjunction of opposites, which formed a key role in alchemical philosophy. Such opposites include male and female, ch. 4 left and right,, body and spirit, pp. 95-96, air and fire, and sun and moon (where the sun corresponds to the male and the moon corresponds to the female). The Red King and White Queen are similarly associated.
The Rebis image appeared in the work Azoth of the Philosophers by Basil Valentine in 1613.
See also Adam Kadmon Androgyny Hieros gamos Unity of opposites
References
Sources Robert Allen Bartlett, Real Alchemy: A Primer of Practical Alchemy, Hays (Nicolas) Ltd, 2009, Barbara DiBernard, Alchemy and Finnegans Wake, Suny Press, 1980, p. 71, Heinrich Jamsthaler, Viatorum spagyricum, Frankfurt a. M, Germany, 1625
Heinrich Nollius, Theoria philosophiae hermetica, Hanau, 1617
Alexander Roob, Alchimie et mystique: le musée hermétique, Taschen GmbH, 2006, p. 494, Murray Stein, Transformation: Emergence of the Self, Princeton University Press, 1989, p. 101 Lazarus Zetzner, Theatrum Chemicum, Strasbourg, 1661
External links Basil Valentine 'Azoth' images The Rebis image in Alchemy