Rebis

This article is about Concept in alchemy. For the DC Comics character, see Negative Man.

The Rebis (from the Latin res bina, meaning dual or double matter)^[2] is variably identified as either the end product of the alchemical magnum opus (or great work)^[3][4] or the initial state of matter.^[5] It is heavily associated with the principle of hermaphroditism, or the combination of the male and female sexes into one being.^[3]

Rebis from the Viatorium Spagyricum (1625)^[1]

The Rebis is sometimes associated with the primordial state of the world,^[4] or the prima materia. While described methods to create the Rebis vary in their specifics, a common theme is the putrefaction of a starting matter into the chaos of nigredo. This is followed by its separation into its parts, such as masculine or feminine. This phase is also called albedo.^[6] Finally, the parts are recombined into a whole, achieving the Rebis.^[3][4]

The Rebis is associated both with divinity and with hermaphroditism, so it is sometimes called the "divine hermaphrodite."^[7] Generally, the Rebis is a symbol of the coniunctio, or the conjunction of opposites, which formed a key role in alchemical philosophy.^[6] Such opposites include male and female,^[3][4][6][8] left and right,^[3], body and spirit,^[9], air and fire^[4], and sun and moon (where the sun corresponds to the male and the moon corresponds to the female).^[8] The Red King and White Queen are similarly associated.^{[citation needed]}

The Rebis image appeared in the work Azoth of the Philosophers by Basil Valentine in 1613.

See also

• Adam Kadmon
• Hieros gamos
• Unity of opposites
• Androgyny