What is alchemy meaning?

Alchemy is a philosophical and protoscientific tradition that aimed to transform base metals into noble metals, and to discover a universal panacea, a remedy that would cure all diseases and prolong life indefinitely. It emerged in the Western world during the Hellenistic period and gained prominence during the Middle Ages, when alchemists regarded it as a spiritual and mystical endeavor that could help them attain enlightenment and communicate with the divine. Alchemy involved complex symbolism, experiments with substances and processes, and secret knowledge that was passed down from master to apprentice. Although alchemy was eventually superseded by chemistry, it had a profound impact on the development of science, medicine, and art, and inspired many famous figures, such as Isaac Newton, Robert Boyle, and Carl Jung.