The Aleithiometer-His Dark Materials

[kalkiran]

The Aleithiometer is a device from Phillip Pullamans Trilogy of books 'His Dark Materials'. Literally a truth-o-meter.
Im fascinated by this device and the series itself yet i cannot find a comprehensive list  of its meanings beyond three for each symbol (except for some reason the sun). As always in times of distress i turned to the ever helpfull elements community! I would be ever indebted to whoever helped me find one or if none can be found we get to have some fun making them up!
Much appreciated.
Kalkiran
P.s. views on the book also welcome it may open up an interesting discussion.

[kalkiran]

No intrest?

[harry959]

There is no such thing. Each symbol has multiple meaning and not all of them are mentioned in the book.

[kalkiran]

'Each of the Alethiometer's 36 symbols has a range of meanings. Below are the primary, secondary and tertiary symbol meanings.

Hourglass - Time, Death, change

Sun - Day, Authority, truth

Alpha and Omega - Finality, Process, inevitability

Marionette - Obedience, Submission, grace

Serpent - Evil, Guile, natural wisdom

Crucible -Alchemy, Craft, achieved wisdom

Anchor - Hope, Steadfastness, prevention

Angel - Messenger, Hierarchy, disobedience

Helmet - War, Protection, narrow vision

Beehive - Productive work, Sweetness, light

Moon - Chastity, Mystery, the uncanny

Madonna - Motherhood, The feminine, worship

Apple - Sin, Knowledge, vanity

Bird - The soul (the dæmon), Spring, marriage

Bread - Nourishment, Christ, sacrifice

Ant - Mechanical work, Diligence, tedium

Bull - Earth, Power, honesty

Candle - Fire, Faith, learning

Cornucopia - Wealth, Autumn, hospitality

Chameleon - Air, Greed, patience

Thunderbolt - Inspiration, Fate, chance

Dolphin - Water, Resurrection, succor

Walled Garden - Nature, Innocence, order

Globe - Politics, Sovereignty, fame

Sword - Justice, Fortitude, the Church

Griffin - Treasure, Watchfulness, courage

Horse - Europe, Journeys, fidelity

Camel - Asia, Summer, perseverance

Elephant- Africa, Charity, continence

Crocodile (Caiman) - America, Rapacity, enterprise

Baby - The future, Malleability, helplessness

Compass - Measurement, Mathematics, science

Lute - Poetry, Rhetoric, philosophy

Tree - Firmness, Shelter, fertility

Wild Man - Wild man, The masculine, lust

Owl - Night, Winter, fear


Each symbol has one primary meaning and a range of subsidiary meanings, which are potentially infinite. However, the subsidiary meanings are all related by association to the primary meaning. So, for instance, the sun symbolizes :

Day, because it is during the day that we see the sun.
Authority, because the sun is the most powerful thing in the sky.
Truth, because by the sun's light we can see the true forms of things.
Kingship (or political authority of any kind), because the king is the sun around whom the court or the state revolves;
A Particular King Or Leader (in the context of a query to the alethiometer, it will be obvious which one is meant);
Phoebus Apollo, and thus rationality and the intellect, as opposed to the baser emotions;
Archery (Apollo's bow and arrows) and thence
The Power Of Administering Punishment At A Distance, including
Plague;
The Creative Arts (through Apollo's patronage of the nine Muses);
The Laurel (through Apollo's love for Daphne), and thence
Honor, Prizes, Fame, through Apollo's awarding of the laurel wreath;
Divination and Prophecy (through the Delphic Oracle);
Pastoral Husbandry (Apollo's flocks and herds), and thence
A Particular Farm, and thence
A Particular Beast;
Homosexual Love (Apollo's love for Hyacinthus);
Gold ... '

Thats what srafopedia says anyway. If anyone wants to make some up just say