 | This article appears to contradict the article Magnum opus (alchemy) .(February 2025) |
The Rebis (from the Latin res bina, meaning dual or double matter) [2] is variably identified as either the end product of the alchemical magnum opus (or great work) [3] [4] or the initial state of matter. [5] It is heavily associated with the principle of hermaphroditism, or the combination of the male and female sexes into one being. [3]
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The Rebis is sometimes associated with the primordial state of the world, [4] 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. [6] Finally, the parts are recombined into a whole, achieving the Rebis. [3] [4]
The Rebis is associated both with divinity and with hermaphroditism, so it is sometimes called the "divine hermaphrodite." [7] Generally, the Rebis is a symbol of the coniunctio, or the conjunction of opposites, which formed a key role in alchemical philosophy. [6] Such opposites include male and female, [3] [4] [6] [8] left and right, [3] , body and spirit, [9] , air and fire [4] , and sun and moon (where the sun corresponds to the male and the moon corresponds to the female). [8] The Red King and White Queen are similarly associated.[ citation needed ]
The Rebis image appeared in the work Azoth of the Philosophers by Basil Valentine in 1613.
