Aludel

Category: Alchemy • Instruments & Processes • Hermetic Symbolism

The aludel is a pear-shaped alchemical vessel used in the process of sublimation, one of the central operations in alchemy. The term aludel originates from the Arabic word al-uthāl (الأثال), meaning “vessel” or “container,” which was later adapted into Latin as sublimatorium. It was first described in detail by Geber (Jābir ibn Hayyān), the renowned Arab alchemist whose works laid the foundations for much of European alchemical practice.

In both a practical and symbolic sense, the aludel represents the process of elevation, purification, and perfection—the transformation of base matter into its nobler form.

Function and Structure

The aludel typically consists of two parts: a lower flask or furnace vessel, where the material to be sublimed is placed, and an upper cover or cap, shaped like a pear or elongated dome. During heating, volatile substances rise from the lower chamber, condense on the cooler upper portion, and collect as purified crystalline deposits.

This operation is known as sublimation (sublimatio or elevatio in Latin)—a process by which the spirit within matter ascends and returns purified. In laboratory terms, it is the transition of a substance from solid to vapour and back to solid without liquefaction; in alchemical philosophy, it symbolises the spiritual ascent of the soul through the fires of transformation.

Philosophical and Mystical Interpretations

The aludel is more than a physical instrument—it is a metaphysical symbol of the alchemist’s inner work. The heating of the vessel mirrors the trials of initiation, in which impurities are burned away so that the divine essence may rise.

Robertus Vallensis, in his treatise De Veritate et Antiquitate Artis (published in Lazarus Zetzner’s Theatrum Chemicum, 1602), alludes to the “pure Word of God being burnt to earth in the aludel and processed seven times.” This allegory reflects the seven stages of spiritual purification—the same number traditionally associated with the seven planetary metals, the seven operations of the Magnum Opus, and the seven heavens of ascent.

For the true adept, the aludel becomes a microcosmic temple—a vessel in which divine truth is tested and refined. Its process of repeated sublimation represents perfection through recurrence, or as the Hermetic philosophers phrased it, “Nobilitatio per iterationem.”

Symbolic Associations in Alchemy

In the Hermetic worldview, sublimation is the bridge between death and resurrection, between dissolution and crystallisation. The vapour that rises within the aludel symbolises the soul’s liberation from the bondage of matter, while the crystalline residue that forms upon cooling signifies the reborn and glorified spirit returning to the world, transmuted and enlightened.

The aludel is thus both an altar and a tomb—a place of death, purification, and resurrection. In this duality, it embodies the mystery of the Philosopher’s Stone, the union of opposites, and the eternal rhythm of ascent and return.

Legacy and Influence

Throughout the Middle Ages and Renaissance, the aludel remained a fundamental vessel in both practical alchemy and spiritual Hermeticism. Its form and function inspired numerous allegorical depictions in manuscripts and engravings, where it was often shown emitting vapours of light or crowned with the symbols of the Elements and Planets.

In modern esoteric interpretation, the aludel continues to serve as a symbol of inner transformation—the mind as vessel, the spirit as vapour, and consciousness as the divine fire that distils truth from illusion.

Revised Edition — Occult World

This article was reviewed and refined by Occult World, blending verified historical insight with esoteric understanding. All texts follow British English spelling.
Updated: 3rd of October 2025