Prima Materia Print, Rebis, Heinrich Nollius, 1617, Sacred Marriage, Androgyne, Alchemical Illustration, Esoteric Poster, Occult Print, Magick, Hermetic Alchemy Wall Art #258

This Prima Materia Print is a reproduction of one of the most iconic woodcuts from Heinrich Nollius’ Theoria Philosophiae Hermeticae (1617), an influential early modern treatise on Hermetic philosophy and alchemy. The image depicts the Rebis, the alchemical androgyne – a two-headed figure uniting male and female principles, standing atop a winged dragon and a cosmic sphere. Above, the words MATERIA PRIMA emphasize the alchemical “first matter,” the chaotic origin from which all creation and transmutation emerge.

Available as a fine art print on antiqued paper for a mystical historical look, or on canvas for a bold esoteric presence. Delivered unframed, allowing you to choose the frame that best suits your occult, alchemical, or Hermetic-inspired décor.

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A Vision of the Alchemical Androgyne

The Rebis (from Latin res bina – “twofold thing”) embodies the alchemical quest for the coniunctio oppositorum – the union of opposites. With one body and two heads (male and female), the Rebis symbolizes the sacred marriage of Sun and Moon, active and passive, sulfur and mercury, spirit and matter.

In this engraving, the androgyne holds a compass and a square – instruments of cosmic balance, pointing to geometry and divine proportion. Surrounding the figure are the symbols of the seven classical planets, representing the seven stages of transformation. Beneath, the dragon represents primal chaos and untamed energy, while the sphere with geometric inscriptions evokes the harmony of the universe governed by hidden laws.

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What the Artwork Depicts

• Rebis Androgyne – a hermaphroditic figure with two heads, uniting masculine and feminine principles.

• Compass and Square – tools of sacred geometry, balance, and cosmic order.

• Planetary Symbols – Sun, Moon, Mercury, Venus, Mars, Jupiter, and Saturn as stages of the Great Work.

• Winged Dragon – symbol of chaos, prima materia, and energy awaiting transformation.

• Cosmic Sphere – geometry and number as foundations of alchemical truth.

• Inscription “Materia Prima” – the primordial matter, the raw substance of creation.

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Symbolism and Esoteric Meaning

• Sacred Marriage (Coniunctio) – union of opposites to achieve wholeness.

• Androgyne (Rebis) – perfected human, transcending duality.

• Seven Planets – mapping of alchemical stages and celestial influences.

• Dragon of Chaos – base matter before refinement into gold (both material and spiritual).

• Prima Materia – the formless substance at the beginning of the Great Work.

• Hermetic Geometry – compass and square as divine instruments of order.

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Historical and Cultural Context

Heinrich Nollius’ Theoria Philosophiae Hermeticae (1617) was one of the early systematic presentations of Hermetic and alchemical thought in early modern Europe. It sought to reconcile natural philosophy with esoteric wisdom, linking the processes of alchemy to both material transformation and spiritual ascent.

The Rebis woodcut became one of the most reproduced alchemical emblems, deeply influencing European esotericism, Rosicrucian imagery, and later occult revival movements. For practitioners of the Hermetic tradition, the image encapsulated the essence of the Magnum Opus – not merely turning lead into gold, but achieving inner unification, enlightenment, and harmony with the cosmos.

Today, the Rebis remains a central symbol in Western esotericism, studied by alchemists, occultists, Jungian psychologists, and seekers of mystical wisdom.

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Why Choose This Print?

• Authentic reproduction of Heinrich Nollius’ alchemical woodcut (1617).

• Iconic symbol of Hermetic alchemy and esoteric philosophy.

• Available on antiqued paper or canvas.

• Delivered unframed – easy to customize with your own frame.

• Perfect for occult, mystical, or philosophical collections.

• A rare cultural artifact linking Renaissance Hermeticism with modern esotericism.

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Perfect For

• Collectors of alchemical and Hermetic prints.

• Students of occult philosophy, Jungian psychology, and symbolic art.

• Decorators of mystical, magical, or academic interiors.

• Practitioners of Hermeticism, alchemy, and esoteric traditions.

• Unique gifts for lovers of philosophy, symbolism, and sacred art.

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More Than Just an Alchemical Print

This Prima Materia Print (Rebis, Heinrich Nollius, 1617) is more than an illustration — it is a map of transformation, a mystical symbol of the union of opposites. Displaying this artwork connects you to the Hermetic vision of the cosmos, where matter and spirit, masculine and feminine, light and dark converge into a higher unity. It remains one of the most profound and enduring emblems of the Western esoteric tradition.

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Canvas vs. Hand-Made Paper — Print Comparison Guide