element

Sulfur

Elements · Colors & materials

A yellow combustible mineral. Later alchemy names sulfur as a principle of matter; that “sulfur” is a craft term as well as a rock.

Also known as brimstone

Alchemy

  • Sulfur is used in Alchemy.

    Later alchemy names sulfur as a principle of combustible matter. Kitchen brimstone and the craft-term share a word, not always a substance.

    used in · interpretive · culturally specific

  • Sulfur is connected to Salt.

    Later alchemical schemes pair sulfur and salt among the principles of matter. The pair is a craft diagram.

    connected to · interpretive · culturally specific

  • Sulfur is associated with Fire.

    Sulfur burns. The mineral’s job in a furnace is not a theology.

    associated with · interpretive · documented

  • Sulfur is used in Medicine.

    Pliny’s Natural History lists live sulfur among mineral remedies: compounded into plasters and poultices, used for skin afflictions, and taken as an electuary. A Roman-era pharmacological use of the mineral, not alchemical “sulfur” as a principle of combustible matter and not kitchen fire alone.

    from Pliny the Elder · Natural History, c. 77 CE

    used in · sourced · documented

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