Kimia

Kimia or Kimiya (written: کیمیا) is a female name in Persian language, in which Kimia or Kimiya means "alchemy” ^[1]

Alchemy is a philosophical and protoscientific tradition practiced throughout Europe, Africa, and Asia. It aims to purify, mature, and perfect certain objects. Latin words for Chemistry are derived from the word kimia.

In ancient Persian poetry, kimia means "rare" or "unique". The meaning of Kimia, in the Persian literature refers to what is behind the ‘materialistic’ conception of alchemy, and instead to the secret of the spirit’s action in nature and the Universe, the macro-cosmos. By acquiring this divine wisdom of action, alchemists aspired to discover their inner (microcosmic) reality, and transmute themselves. ^[2]

The word appears ubiquitously in Persian literature. Some early usages can be seen in Vis and Ramin and Ferdowsi’s Shahnameh. Other samples in verse and prose are:

که کیمیای سعادت در این جهان سخن است بزرجمهر چنین گفته بود با کسری

“The alchemy of happiness is what counts in life,

Told Kasra his minister Bozorgmehr” —-Naser Khosrow

صدهزاران کیمیا حق آفرید کیمیایی همچو صبر آدم ندید

“A hundred thousand alchemies created by The Truth

Yet no alchemy like patience is known to Man” ——Rumi There is also a Persian work of literature from the Middle Ages named Kimiya-e Saadat (The Alchemy of Happiness).

Notable persons

• Kimia Alizadeh, athlete
• Kimia Hoseini, actress

References