Name: Matthew Halling Date: 9/15/2020 – 9/16/2020 Period: 5

The Alchemist Allusions and References Guide

Throughout The Alchemist, Paulo Coelho uses many allusions and references, drawing from subjects
such as culture, religion and geography in order to build a contemporary folklore. To be able to
understand the messages and ideas Coelho conveys in his novel, understanding the context of his
allusions is necessary.

Directions:

1. Research and define the following allusions to create a reading guide.

2. Make sure to include a detailed explanation of each and 3 to 4 important facts.

List of Allusions and References

1. Andalusia: A autonomous region of Spain with hills, rivers and farmland bordering Spain’s coast. It
was under Moorish rule from the 8th-15th centuries, a legacy that shows in its architecture, including
such landmarks as the Alcázar castle. Its capital is the city of Seville. It is the most populous, and the
second largest autonomous community in the country.
2. Tarifa: Spanish municipality in the province of Cádiz, Andalusia. Located at the southernmost end of
the Iberian Peninsula, it is primarily known as one of the world's most popular destinations for wind
sports. At exactly 36 degrees latitude, the Punta de Tarifa is the southernmost point of continental
Europe. There are several villages which depend economically on Tarifa in the municipality,
including Tahivilla, Facinas, and Bolonia.
3. Salem (Jerusalem): Ancient middle eastern town mentioned in the bible. The name refers to the
royal city of Melchizedek and is traditionally identified with Jerusalem. It is also mentioned in
Hebrews 7.
4. Ceuta: Spanish autonomous city on the north coast of Africa. Ceuta, like Melilla and the Canary
Islands, was classified as a free port before Spain joined the European Union. Its population consists
of Christians, Muslims and small minorities of Sephardic Jews and ethnic Sindhi Hindus from
modern-day Pakistan.
5. Mecca: Mecca, in a desert valley in western Saudi Arabia, is Islam’s holiest city, as it’s the birthplace
of the Prophet Muhammad and the faith itself. Only Muslims are allowed in the city, with millions
arriving for the annual Hajj (pilgrimage).
6. Al-Fayoum: Faiyum is a city in Middle Egypt. Located 100 kilometers southwest of Cairo, in the
Faiyum Oasis, it is the capital of the modern Faiyum Governorate. It is one of Egypt's oldest cities
due to its strategic location. Originally called Shedet in Egyptian.
7. El Cairum: Cairo is the capital of Egypt and is located in northern Africa. It lies near the Nile River,
the longest river in the world. This busy city is a center of Islam. It is one of the biggest cities in the
world.
8. Coptic Monasteries: The Coptic Monastery is a type of Coptic Church in Egypt. The Coptic Church
has the beliefs of Christianity and the cultural religion of Egypt fused into one religion. The history of
the Coptic Church in Egypt is basically the history of Christianity in Egypt.
9. Nile: The Nile river is the largest river in the world starting near the equator in Burundi and emptying
into the Mediterranean. The Nile is 4,200 miles in length and is home to 300 million people
(Goldschmidt).
Name: Matthew Halling Date: 9/15/2020 – 9/16/2020 Period: 5

10. Moors: The phrase “moors” refers to the Islamic people who invaded Spain in the 8 th century. They
were successful in taking over much of southern Spain, but their invasion north was stopped in 732.
11. Sahara Desert: The Sahara Desert is the largest desert in the world. The Sahara covers 3.32 million
square miles. It stretches 3,000 miles from the Nile River all the way to the Atlantic Ocean.
12. Koran: The Koran is the central religious text of Islam and means “the recitation.” The Koran is also
regarded as the finest piece of literature in the Arabic language.
13. Maktub: Maktub means “It’s written” in Arabic. The concept of maktub and determinism are greatly
incorporated in Islam. Maktub is a key principle to those who are Islamic.
14. Alchemy: Alchemy was the medieval quest for a means of transmuting base metals into gold, for a
universal, and for the elixir of life, which could grant people the ability to live longer.
15. Carl Jung: Jung lived from 1875 to 1961. He was the originator of analytical psychology and was
born in Kesswil, Switzerland. He studied medicine in Basel and then became an assistant in
psychiatry at Zurich.
16. The Philosopher’s Stone: This stone is the solid part of the Elixir of Life, allowing the stone to heal
all forms of illnesses and bring life to those around it. It can also allow those who possess it to
achieve immortality.
17. Levanter: The Levant, an easterly wind that blows in the western Mediterranean Sea and southern
France, is an example of mountain-gap wind. In Roussillon it is called “Ilevant” and in Corsica
“Levante.”
18. Helvetius: Claude Adrien Schweitzer, or Helvetius, was born on February 26 th, 1715 in Paris, France.
He was born into a family of respected physicians; in fact, his father was the primary doctor to Marie
Leszczyńska, the queen of France.
19. Elias: Elias (also spelled Elijah, Elia, or in Hebrew Eliyyahu) was known as a Hebrew prophet who
ranked with Moses. His first act of remembrance was when he saved the Yahwew religion from the
uproar caused by the worshipers of Baal. He claimed there was no reality except the God of Israel and
heavily practiced and stressed monotheism.
20. Fulcanelli: Alchemist along with Elias and Helvetius. Nobody really know who Fulcanelli is or was.
Some believe he was an ordinary soldier form World War II. Others believe he was a master
alchemist. He followed his Personal Legend and was an inspiration to many.
21. Geber: Geber was a famous Spanish alchemist from the early fourteenth century. Not to be confused
with Geber (Jabir bin Hayyan), the famous Arabic alchemist from the mid eighth century. Although
the Spanish Geber’s name was not actually Geber, he is still credited with some very important
scientific discoveries far ahead of his time.
22. Sigmund Freud: Sigmund Freud was the founder of psychoanalysis, and the most influential
psychological theorist of the twentieth century. Freud began his medical studies at the University of
Vienna and studied psychology for six years.
23. Melchizedek: A biblical figure who was the King of Salem (Jerusalem), as well as a priest of God
Most High. He is also known as the “King of Peace” as well as the “King of Righteousness.” Not a
lot of information has been proven about him, but the Bible does give more detailed information that
may or may not be true.
24. Tiberius: Tiberius Caesar Augustus was the second Roman emperor, reigning from AD 14 to 37. He
succeeded his stepfather, Augustus. Tiberius was one of the greatest Roman generals; his conquest of
Pannonia, Dalmatia, Raetia, and parts of Germania laid the foundations for the northern frontier.
Name: Matthew Halling Date: 9/15/2020 – 9/16/2020 Period: 5

25. Narcissus: Narcissus is a figure from Greek mythology who was so impossibly handsome that he fell
in love with his own image reflected in a pool of water. Even the lovely nymph Echo could not
manage to tempt him from his self-absorption.