What Does The Gold Symbolize In The Alchemist

Gold: In The Alchemist, gold can symbolize knowledge. An alchemist is so someone who strives to be able to turn lead metal into gold. They are considered “knowledgeable” an “wise” if they are able to accomplish that. In The Alchemist it states,” …For wise men, gold is the metal that evolved the furthest.” It continues on stating, “Men have never understood the words of the wise.” When the alchemist says this, he is stating how only wise men can understand how alchemy. Regular “men”, have yet to understand it and accomplish turning metal into gold. Gold could also symbolize the lessons you learn in life. In the alchemist it states, "And what went wrong when other alchemists tried to make gold and were unable to do so? They were looking only

for gold," his companion answered. "They were seeking the treasure of their destiny, without wanting actually to live out the destiny.” This quote means that people who become alchemists only for the gold, are unable to achieve their goal. To get to the goal, they need to go on the journey towards it and learn lessons on the way.
Treasure: Treasure symbolizes your Personal Legend or goal in The Alchemist.

Santiago’s destiny was to find the treasure. In The Alchemist it states, “It's your mission on earth… search for treasure.” The quote proves how treasure symbolizes your Personal Legend because its states your mission in life could be to find treasure. Treasure could also symbolize a journey. If Santiago had never gone to the Pyramids, he would have never known where to find his treasure and he would regret it. In The Alchemist it states, “If I had told you, you wouldn’t have seen the Pyramids. They’re beautiful, aren’t they?” This quote shows how treasure could symbolize a journey because, although the treasure was found back in Spain, Santiago had to go on a long trek with many obstacles just to find. The book itself didn’t focus on the treasure at all, it focused on the journey and the lessons

learned.
The Desert: The desert symbolizes the obstacles in life. In The Alchemist, Santiago had to go through many obstacles and difficulties to find his treasure. In The Alchemist it states, “But the old king hadn't said anything about being robbed, or about endless deserts, or about people who know what their dreams are but don't want to realize them. The old king hadn't told him that the Pyramids were just a pile of stones, or that anyone could build one in his backyard. And he had forgotten to mention that, when you have enough money to buy a flock larger than the one you had before, you should buy it.” This quote proves how the desert is an obstacle because Santiago lists some of the problems he faced. In addition, the desert could symbolize danger and risks. While Santiago is in the desert, there is an active war. Not only that he faces dangerous people, including the alchemist. In the book it states, “When they reached the white tent at the center of Al-Fayoum, they withdrew their scimitars and rifles. And they attacked an empty tent…within half an hour all but one of the intruders were dead…Were it not for the bodies there on the ground, it would have appeared to be a normal day at the oasis.” This quotes proves how the desert is dangerous because, it states that the oasis Santiago was staying at was attacked. The book also states, “The strange horseman drew an enormous, curved sword from a scabbard mounted on his saddle. The steel of its blade glittered in the light of the moon… The sword didn't fall. Instead, the stranger lowered it slowly, until the point touched the boy's forehead. It drew a droplet of blood.” This statement proves that the alchemist contributed to one of the dangers in the desert.
Sheep: In The Alchemist, one of the most common thing that the sheep symbolize is people who don’t follow their destiny.

In the book it states, “They were content with just food and water, and, in exchange, they generously gave of their wool, their company, and—once in a while—their meat.” This quote proves that the sheep didn’t really pay attention to their surroundings. In addition, although they didn’t really do anything, the sheep played a big part in the story. In Santiago’s dream, a boy plays with his sheep, catching his attention. If the sheep had never been in the dream, Santiago would’ve never given any thought to the dream. The sheep also symbolize a teacher because they taught him two things. One, to follow his dreams and to not not appreciate his destiny. The second thing is they taught him a universal language. In The Alchemist it states, “But the sheep had taught him something even more important: that there was a language in the world that everyone understood, a language the boy had used throughout the time that he was trying to improve things at the shop. It was the language of enthusiasm, of things accomplished with love and purpose, and as part of a search for something believed in and desired.” This quote proves that the sheep symbolizes a teacher because it states how the sheep taught Santiago a universal

language.
Alchemy: Alchemy can symbolize taking a bad situation, and looking at it in a positive way. That is an important skill that a person needs in life. In The Alchemist, Santiago takes bad situations and sees them as omens. The book states, “He stuck his hand into the pouch, and felt around for one of the stones. As he did so, both of them pushed through a hole in the pouch and fell to the ground…An omen. The boy smiled to himself. He picked up the two stones and put them back in his pouch. He had learned that there were certain things one shouldn't ask about, so as not to flee from one's own destiny.” Instead of being mad that the stones didn’t give him straight yes or no answer, Santiago was content with what the stones said. Another quote is, “The boy fell to the sand, nearly unconscious…The boy stood up shakily, and looked once more at the Pyramids. They seemed to laugh at him, and he laughed back, his heart bursting with joy. Because now he knew where his treasure was.” This quote proves that alchemy symbolizes making the best out of bad situations because, instead of feeling defeated after being beaten, Santiago laughed and realized that the robber told him where the treasure was.

The Wind: The wind symbolizes freedom. The wind is wild, powerful, and its moving constantly. In the beginning of The Alchemist, Santiago was a shepherd because he liked to travel and seeing the beautiful sites of the world. In the book it states, “The boy felt jealous of the freedom of the wind, and saw that he could have the same freedom. There was nothing to hold him back except himself.” This quote proves how the wind was free and unrestrained. It also states, “His purpose in life was to travel…” This quote shows how Santiago was like the wind because they both were constantly traveling to different places. In addition the book states, “I want to be like you, able to reach every corner of the world, cross the seas…” This quote shows the similarities between Santiago and the wind. The wind could also symbolize a messenger. In The Alchemist, the wind sends messages to Santiago. The book states, “The wind brought the sounds of the oasis to them, and the boy tried to hear Fatima's voice.” In addition the book states,”...At times the wind carried the sweet, sickly smell of blood.” These quotes show how the wind sends things to Santiago like a metaphorical mailman.
Urim and Thummim: Urim and Thummim symbolize the turning points of every journey. The desert symbolizes the obstacles in the journey, and the stones symbolize what tactics you will use to get over the obstacles. In The Alchemist it states, “He stuck his hand into the pouch, and felt around for one of the stones. As he did so, both of them pushed through a hole in the pouch and fell to the ground…An omen. The boy smiled to himself. He picked up the two stones and put them back in his pouch. He had learned that there were certain things one shouldn't ask about, so as not to flee from one's own destiny.” In this quote, Santiago doubted if he would find the treasure. The stones helped him to find his answer and encourage him to keep going. Urim and Thummim also symbolizes the king. In the story it states, “The boy picked up Urim and Thummim, and, once again, had the strange sensation that the old king was nearby. He had worked hard for a year, and the omens were that it was time to go.” This quote shows how the king was always with to help him make decisions. The king used the stones as an outlet to guide Santiago on his journey.