The thoroughfare in Prague between the Old Town Square and Wenceslas Square is always packed. As tourists cross the junction with Rytirska street, many don’t realise a alchemist’s symbol – the Golden Wheel – is close by.

A few doors down from this junction you can find a building that has certainly seen better days. Ignore the work on the ground floor and pay attention to the facade of the first, second and third floors for a few minutes.

This is parallel to the path of the Philosopher’s Stone.

Right in the middle of the facade, and between the first and second floors, the sign of the Golden Wheel is prominently displayed. To its left, a cartouche of Hermes (Mercury in Roman mythology) with a caduceus; to the right, Athena with the severed head of a Gorgon.

Since this is close to a main street and close to other locations of alchemical symbols, a similar explanation is likely. In alchemy, after making the necessary preparations, matter is loaded into a furnace. Here the transformation of base elements into precious metals can begin. Alchemists believe that the wheel of elements causes the transformation. This wheel starts to rotate with the help of a secret fire. They call this the ‘Fire Wheel’ and its alchemical symbol is the one shown on the house here.

The alchemists’ symbology continues with the two cartouches. Athena is the goddess of wisdom; she is a sign of the necessary knowledge required to perform the transformation. The shield below the cartouche is typical of Athena. (Many assume it is Medusa but Medusa was only one Gorgon in Greek mythology) The other cartouche depicts Hermes who is a god of transition. Transition is what alchemy is all about.

The building is run down. While there are signs of renovation, it’s been in this state for some time so I doubt it will be cleaned up any time soon.

What alchemical symbols have you seen recently?