Log in

View Full Version : Mao and Alchemy



Astarte
23rd September 2011, 18:27
"Hippolytus says that in the doctrine of the Sethians the darkness 'held the brightness and the spark of light in thrall,' and that this 'smallest of sparks' was finely mingled in the dark waters below [note: This idea occurs in alchemy in numerous variations. Cf. Maier, Symb. aur. mensae, p.380, and Scrut. chymicum, Emblema XXXI, p. 91: 'The king swimming in the sea, crying with a loud voice: Whoso shall deliver me shall have a great reward.']"
Mysterium Coniunctionis, Jung

xN1P2DHE26g

Was Mao conscious of this kind of esoteric symbolism? He was knowledgeable and extensively familiar with the "Taiping Heavenly Kingdom", as well as Chinese classics such as Water Margin, and Romance of the Three Kingdoms which are heavily influence by Taoism and Chinese Folk Religion.

TheGodlessUtopian
23rd September 2011, 18:34
Mao-chemy! lol

...but I wouldn't be surprised if Mao knew the relationships and used the symbolism of alchemy for propaganda reasons.Seems like a logical things to do if you are attempting to influence peoples emotions.

RedGrunt
2nd October 2011, 11:03
Wouldn't such of been prosecuted in the Cultural Revolution? Just curious. I mean Taoism and chinese alchemy.