What does the snake symbolize in The Alchemist?

The Ouroboros, the serpent which devours its own tail, is the most ancient symbol of alchemy. It is also called the "paradoxical serpent" and represents the circular process of the alchemist's work.

What are the symbols in The Alchemist?

The symbols in The Alchemist serve to represent self-development, humility, interconnectedness, and the value of life. Through Santiago's journey to the pyramids of Egypt, these representations are depicted through Santiago's sheep, alchemy, and the pyramids of Egypt.

What do the omens symbolize in The Alchemist?

The motif of omens serves a dual purpose in The Alchemist. For one, omens offer Santiago guidance on his journey and reassure him that the Soul of the World has endorsed his journey.

What does alchemy symbolize in The Alchemist?

Alchemy. Alchemy, in which a base metal is transformed into a more valuable metal like gold, functions as the dominant symbol in The Alchemist and represents Santiago's journey to achieve his Personal Legend.

What do the Hawks symbolize in The Alchemist?

The hawks symbolize war and violence in The Alchemist.

The Alchemist | Symbols | Paulo Coelho

What does Santiago's jacket symbolize?

He will face thing's on his journey that will help and some that hurt him. The jacket is considered a symbol for the hero's journey.

What does the falcon symbolize in The Alchemist?

The two dead hawks and the falcon in the oasis represent death and an impending battle.

What is the irony in The Alchemist?

More irony: The gold that the alchemist created from lead is precisely what causes the thieves to believe that Santiago is digging for more treasure, and to beat him. For Santiago, and for the reader, this is an unexpected, negative consequence of the alchemist's wisdom and power.

What is the main message of The Alchemist?

In the novel, even alchemy, the central symbol of the book, entails coaxing metal to achieve its own Personal Legend to turn into gold. As a result, the idea that all individuals should live in the singular pursuit of their individual dreams emerges as the primary theme of The Alchemist.

What does the heart symbolize in The Alchemist?

As Santiago continues his journey with the alchemist, he learns several new lessons about himself and his abilities. First, the alchemist explains that each person's heart emerges from the Soul of the World. Because Santiago's heart connects him to the Soul of the World, Santiago must learn to listen to it properly.

What does Fatima represent in The Alchemist?

Fatima A beautiful Arab girl who lives at the oasis. Santiago discovers Fatima filling her water jug at one of the oasis's wells, and he falls in love with her. She supports his quest, even though it will take him away from her. Fatima represents true love, selfless and unconditional.

What is Santiago's first good omen?

Melchizedek explains the butterfly is Santiago's first omen and opens his cape to reveal a jeweled breastplate. Melchizedek gives Santiago two stones from the breastplate. He says the stones are called Urim and Thummim and they represent “yes” and “no.” They will help Santiago to read omens.

What is the secret of happiness in The Alchemist?

'The secret of happiness is to see all the marvels of the world, and never to forget the drops of oil on the spoon. '”

What does Santiago symbolize in The Alchemist?

Sacristy: The sacristy represents conventionally sacred things, which often must be abandoned to achieve true spirituality. Shepherds and Sheep: These are symbolic for Coelho of the less-than-extraordinary; for Santiago, the alternative to pursuing his Personal Legend is a return to his life as a shepherd.

What is the first law of alchemy?

Alphonse (Introduction, episodes 2-41): Humankind cannot gain anything without first giving something in return. To obtain, something of equal value must be lost. That is alchemy's first law of Equivalent Exchange.

What does Santiago realize at the end of The Alchemist?

Summary: Epilogue

He wakes up digging and laughing about how God left gold at the monastery through the alchemist to ease his journey back. A voice in the wind says God wanted him to see the pyramids' beauty. Soon Santiago finds a chest of gold coins and jewels.

Is The Alchemist a true story?

The Alchemist is a work of fiction but the message of the novel was autobiographical in spirit.

What is the treasure at the end of The Alchemist?

Specifically, treasure. The treasure shows up early on, in a dream that Santiago has about a child transporting him to the pyramids and telling him that he'll find a hidden treasure there. And the treasure does turn out to be pretty awesome, "a chest of Spanish gold coins.

What does the abandoned church symbolize in the alchemist?

The abandoned church symbolizes the value of the familiar and of home. Santiago ultimately did not have to travel any physical distance to find his treasure, which was in his own homeland, but the journey itself was as much a part of his quest as was the final result.

Is there any foreshadowing in Santiago's plot arc?

Finally, Santiago's ongoing envy of the wind foreshadows his climactic effort to turn himself into it.

Did Santiago find his treasure explain?

he isn't able to carry the treasure back to spain, simply ;p. The treasure was with him in Spain but he never would have found it without the journey. Because the treasure was not actually what he would find under the tree in Spain. The treasure was what he himself became in pursuit of it.

What does the desert symbolize?

The desert symbolizes survival, creativity, clarity, revelations, loneliness, and overcoming life's greatest obstacles. What is this? Deserts are vast, barren spaces that are easy to get lost in, and can be very difficult to traverse.

What does the crystal merchant symbolize in The Alchemist?

The crystal merchant serves as an important friend to Santiago during Santiago's time in Tangier, but he also functions as a cautionary case of someone who has become complacent and given up the pursuit of his Personal Legend.

How does the symbol of the sheep affect the meaning in The Alchemist?

The sheep represent the simple life, showing the boy what awaits him after he realizes his destiny. The sheep teach Santiago the patience he will need to recognize the omens and realize his Personal Legend. The sheep are a motivating force to Santiago, showing him the worthlessness of a pastoral life.

What does Santiago sacrifice in The Alchemist?

When trying to achieve his goal, Santiago sacrifices his sheep, Fatima temporarily, gold, and time. Santiago is a shepherd trying to pursue his personal legend. His personal legend is the recurring dream about the hidden treasure at the foot of the Egyptian pyramids.