the alchemist journey journal

Literary Theory and Criticism

Home › Literature › Analysis of Paulo Coelho’s The Alchemist

Analysis of Paulo Coelho’s The Alchemist

By NASRULLAH MAMBROL on October 8, 2022

The most popular novel of the Brazilian writer Paulo Coelho (1947– ), The Alchemist combines philosophical ideas and words of wisdom about ambition, perseverance, and success. Since its publication in 1988, the novel has has sold over 150 million copies worldwide, won 115 international prizes and awards, has been translated into 80 languages, and is still on the New York Times bestseller list today.

The Alchemist narrates the story of a shepherd boy called Santiago who travels with his flock, looking for the best pastures for his sheep in the Andalusian countryside. The conflict arises early in the novel’s plot when Santiago chooses to seek an interpretation of a recent dream and is advised to travel to the pyramids in Egypt and look for a hidden treasure. The novel narrates the mystical experiences of Santiago as he travels from Spain, through the Egyptian desert and on to the great pyramids, seeking the fulfillment of his dream.

Coelho’s novel is almost mythical in structure, with a linear plot and single story line recounted in simple language. The tightly written narrative is not embellished by elaborate characterization, explanations, or historical details, and any detail irrelevant to the main plot is conspicuously absent. The entire emphasis of the novel remains on eternally valid truths, which Coelho attempts to convey through the story. The symbolic elements in the narrative, the universal quality of the protagonist’s experiences, and the message the novel suggests to the reader account for much of T he Alchemist ’s popularity.

The Alchemist underlines an idea or wish that human beings strongly want to believe: If one sincerely desires something, the whole universe conspires to fulfill that dream. Coelho conveys, through the novel, that this sentiment is a lie and that at some point in life people lose the ability to control their lives and become the playthings of fate. He suggests that by listening to one’s heart and by heeding omens and signs, one can control destiny. The strong undercurrent of optimism, which runs through the narrative, is the novel’s greatest charm.

It is notable that in the tale Santiago’s chance encounters with people bring him closer to his aim and motivate him to continue his quest despite his complacence at times. His meeting with the Gypsy fortune- teller in the beginning is followed immediately by a meeting with the old king of Salem, Melchizedek, who is aware of Santiago’s past and future and urges the boy to pursue his vision. An unfortunate experience with a thief in Tangier disheartens the searcher for a time, but his memories of the words of the king guide him to the right course of action. The crystal merchant for whom Santiago works for almost a year prefers to dream of going on a pilgrimage instead of embarking on a journey to Mecca in real life. The crystal merchant’s fear of failure shakes Santiago into resolving to follow his dream.

Santiago later meets an Englishman who harbors the hope of meeting the mysterious alchemist, an Arab who lives at the Al-Fayoum oasis and possesses exceptional powers. Santiago joins the caravan with the En glishman to travel to Egypt, and it is during this journey that the shepherd boy comes to know about the soul of the world, the language of the heart, and the intricacies of the science of alchemy. The shepherd boy’s budding love for an Arabian girl, Fatima, whom he meets during his voyage through the desert, tempts him into giving up his quest for the treasure, but aptly enough Fatima plays the role of a soul mate and coaxes Santiago to continue his difficult expedition. Toward the end of the novel, Santiago’s meeting with the alchemist in the desert helps the young seeker to discover his inner strengths and brings him closer to realizing his destiny.

Omens, signs, dreams, and visions pervade the narrative and act like refrains in this song of the desert. It is only by taking note of these subtle revelations of his subconscious mind that Santiago rises to the alchemist’s expectations and bravely faces all the trials that await him. In The Alchemist, Coelho suggests through Santiago’s tale that it is only by finding and following one’s “personal myth” that one can hope to achieve success, contentment, and happiness. Those who do not have the courage to pursue their deepest desires end up living an empty and doomed life plagued by dissatisfaction and frustration.

BIBLIOGRAPHY Arias, Juan. Paulo Coelho: The Confessions of a Pilgrim. London: HarperCollins, 1999. Coelho, Paulo. Like the Flowing River: Thoughts and Reflections. London: HarperCollins, 2006.

Share this:

Categories: Literature , Novel Analysis

Tags: Analysis of Paulo Coelho's The Alchemist , Appreciation of Paulo Coelho's The Alchemist , Criticism of Paulo Coelho's The Alchemist , Guide of Paulo Coelho's The Alchemist , Notes of Paulo Coelho's The Alchemist , Paulo Coelho's The Alchemist , Paulo Coelho's The Alchemist analysis , Paulo Coelho's The Alchemist Appreciation , Paulo Coelho's The Alchemist Essays , Paulo Coelho's The Alchemist Guide , Paulo Coelho's The Alchemist mysticism , Paulo Coelho's The Alchemist Notes , Paulo Coelho's The Alchemist Story , Paulo Coelho's The Alchemist Structure , Paulo Coelho's The Alchemist themes , Plot of Paulo Coelho's The Alchemist , Story of Paulo Coelho's The Alchemist , Structure of Paulo Coelho's The Alchemist , Summary of Paulo Coelho's The Alchemist , Themes of Paulo Coelho's The Alchemist

Related Articles

You must be logged in to post a comment.

The Alchemist's Journey

The journey towards one’s true self.

Let’s Make the Last 100 Days of 2022 Count

Can you feel the change? Do you feel the positivity that is arising? On the 23rd of September there will be 100 days remaining of 2022. Let’s make the most of the last 100 days. Let’s dedicate the next 100 days to action positive practices such as daily meditation or working towards something you would [...]

Share this:

“When I Find My Purpose, I Will Be Happy”

A few years ago, I was at a party. During the evening I was part of a conversation that was about exercise routines and goals. One of the other people involved was very large and muscular man. Even though he was already muscular, he made a comment along the lines of “when my arms are [...]

Right Here, Right Now

A couple of years ago I had an interview at an East London hospital. I arrived with plenty of time to find where I had to go. Once I had found the location, I got myself a drink and sat in a nearby square to relax. This small square was covered with rubbish and the [...]

I’ve got the Power

I am in the same situation that thousands of NHS workers in England face. Choose between having something done to us that we don’t want or possibly loose our job. Personally, feeling forced into something, makes me want it less and I will start to resist. No one likes to feel backed into a corner. [...]

Into the Lime Light

Public speaking is a fear many of us have. Approximately ¾ of the population have this fear. The thought of being centre stage can cause nervousness through to full on panic.  It takes courage to step into the lime light and have all eyes on you. Many people would rather hide in the shadows. For [...]

First World Problems

I used to know someone who would regularly use the phrase, First World Problems. This phrase would often be used for a problem with technology such as no mobile phone signal, Mobile phone battery flat or slow internet access but could be used for other trivial issues. First World Problems are very much minor problems [...]

Let It Flow – Let Yourself Go. Slow And Low

A couple of months back I started going back to the gym. I was surprised at how quickly my fitness improved and my strength increased. Even though my strength had increased and I was having success with what I was doing, I have changed my routine. Now, rather than focusing on how much weight I [...]

Let’s Make the Last 100 Days of 2021 Count

For many of us, 2021 hasn’t been the easiest of years. On the 23rd of September there will be 100 days remaining of 2021. Let’s make the most of the last 100 days. If there is a challenge you wish to overcome, such as a bad habit, addiction or weakness. The next 100 days could [...]

What Does Spirituality Mean for You?

What does spirituality mean for you? This is a question I had asked myself and soon after someone asked me this question too. My answer was another question.  Is spiritually either/or- Improving your connection to God/source energyMastering the human existence Surely spirituality is improving your connection to God or source energy (which ever you prefer). [...]

The Alchemist : Book summary and reviews of The Alchemist by Paulo Coelho

Summary | Reviews | More Information | More Books

The Alchemist

by Paulo Coelho

Critics' Opinion:

Readers' rating:

Published May 1993 192 pages Genre: Literary Fiction Publication Information

Rate this book

About this book

Book summary.

"Tell your heart that the fear of suffering is worse than the suffering itself," the alchemist replies. "And that no heart has ever suffered when it goes in search of its dreams, because every second of the search is a second's encounter with God and with eternity." --Gail Hudson

• "Beyond the Book" articles
• Free books to read and review (US only)
• Find books by time period, setting & theme
• Read-alike suggestions by book and author
• Book club discussions
• and much more!
• Just $45 for 12 months or $15 for 3 months.
• More about membership!

Media Reviews

Reader reviews.

"This inspirational fable by Brazilian author and translator Coelho has been a runaway bestseller throughout Latin America and seems poised to achieve the same prominence here .... The cumulative effect is like hearing a wonderful bedtime story from an inspirational psychiatrist. Comparisons to The Little Prince are appropriate; this is a sweetly exotic tale for young and old alike. " - Publishers Weekly. "This simple, yet eloquent parable celebrates the richness of the human spirit. A young Spanish shepherd seeking his destiny travels to Egypt where he learns many lessons, particularly from a wise old alchemist. The real alchemy here, however, is the transmuting of youthful idealism into mature wisdom. The blending of conventional ideas with an exotic setting makes old truths seem new again. This shepherd takes the advice Hamlet did not heed, learning to trust his heart and commune with it as a treasured friend. Enjoyable and easy to read, this timeless fantasy validates the aspirations and dreams of youth." - School Library Journal. "The absence of characterization and overall blandness suggest authorship by a committee of self-improvement pundits--a far cry from The Little Prince : that flagship of the genre was a genuine charmer because it clearly derived from a quirky, individual sensibility. Coelho's placebo has racked up impressive sales in Brazil and Europe. Americans should flock to it like gulls." - Kirkus Reviews.

Author Information

• Books by this Author

Paulo Coelho Author Biography

Xavier Gonzales

Paulo Coelho was born in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. In 1970, after deciding that law school was not for him, he traveled through much of South America, North Africa, Mexico, and Europe. Returning to Brazil after two years, he began a successful career as a popular songwriter. In 1974, he was imprisoned for a short time by the military dictatorship then ruling in Brazil. In 1988, Coelho published The Alchemist , which has sold more than 11 million copies worldwide and has been translated into 41 languages. He has written more than a dozen novels, including The Pilgrimage and Veronika Decides to Die , both of which are being adapted to film. Coelho is an outspoken activist for peace and social justice, and also supports the free distribution of his work. He and his wife Christina split their ...

... Full Biography Author Interview Link to Paulo Coelho's Website

Name Pronunciation Paulo Coelho: POW-loo KWAY-lew

Other books by Paulo Coelho at BookBrowse

More Recommendations

Readers also browsed . . ..

• A Great Country by Shilpi Somaya Gowda
• Prophet Song by Paul Lynch
• One Hour of Fervor by Muriel Barbery
• The Extinction of Irena Rey by Jennifer Croft
• Leaving by Roxana Robinson
• Martyr! by Kaveh Akbar
• Fruit of the Dead by Rachel Lyon
• Change by Edouard Louis
• Happy by Celina Baljeet Basra
• Say Hello to My Little Friend by Jennine Capó Crucet

more literary fiction...

Support BookBrowse

Join our inner reading circle, go ad-free and get way more!

Find out more

BookBrowse Book Club

Members Recommend

The Stone Home by Crystal Hana Kim

A moving family drama and coming-of-age story revealing a dark corner of South Korean history.

The House on Biscayne Bay by Chanel Cleeton

As death stalks a gothic mansion in Miami, the lives of two women intertwine as the past and present collide.

Who Said...

At times, our own light goes out, and is rekindled by a spark from another person.

Click Here to find out who said this, as well as discovering other famous literary quotes!

Solve this clue:

and be entered to win..

Your guide to exceptional           books

BookBrowse seeks out and recommends the best in contemporary fiction and nonfiction—books that not only engage and entertain but also deepen our understanding of ourselves and the world around us.

Subscribe to receive some of our best reviews, "beyond the book" articles, book club info and giveaways by email.

The Alchemist: A Guide for Reflection

We’re still talking about our recent discussion of Paulo Coelho’s inspiring book, The Alchemist. C heck out Kathy Baker’s wonderful guide and reflect on your own journey while you read and re-read the book.

Be sure to read Mabeth Hudson’s beautiful post about the book on her blog, “Nesting in Wonder.”

Living into the Lessons of The Alchemist by Paulo Coelho

By Kathy Baker

While planning our last vacation, one of the first things we did was get out a map and plan our route. Whether it was online maps or old-fashioned paper maps – they all helped guide us to our destination. As I was looking at the maps spread across our dining room table, I thought, “wouldn’t it be great if there was a map of life” that could guide you along your life’s journey?

A personal motivation map giving you those life lessons that one typically learns way too late in life. Does such a “map of life” exist? It was then that I stumbled upon a tattered copy of The Alchemist by Paulo Coelho in the bottom of my closet.

Paulo Coelho, in his wildly popular book (65 million copies sold in 67 languages), tells the story of a shepherd boy and his quest to live his dream. Along the way, the boy meets an alchemist who has the power to inspire personal transformation. This Alchemist gives the boy a number of life’s lessons – lessons that are as fresh and applicable today as they were hundreds of years ago. The lessons by themselves are interesting, but it’s only when they are applied , that the power of personal transformation can be unleashed.

1. It’s the simple things in life that are the most extraordinary.

I believe this to be true and have experienced this with my own family. When I think of the times where we laughed the most or had the most fun – it was when we were doing the simplest things. Swimming in a pool, combing a beach for shells, playing a board game, or sharing a delicious meal – all simple things making up the best times we’ve had as a family.

What were some of the happiest memories from your past? What were you doing?

2.  Support your children in pursuit of their dreams. In the beginning of the story, the shepherd boy (named Santiago) tells his father he wants to travel and see the world. The father explains he wants his son to stay in the village and become a priest. But Santiago persists – being a priest is not his dream. What does his father do? He gives Santiago the small amount of money he had been saving for the boy and wished him well.

How many of us had parents who have – in not-so-subtle-ways – influenced us to take careers that were not in-line with our dreams? Be honest now, did you pick your current career because you’re passionate about the work or were you trying to make your parents proud? How do you feel about your career now?

As a parent, it’s difficult to accept when your child wants to take a path other than the one you had hoped and planned for them. But, it’s ok. It’s like the old saying, “give them roots and give them wings.” Give them a solid foundation of love, but give them the freedom to follow their dreams.

What were some of your dreams as a child?

3. There is nothing to hold you back, except yourself.

There is only one question to ask yourself here:

What would you do if you were not afraid? Think about it.

4. There is only one way to learn, and that is through action. Trying to learn without doing is like trying to lose weight by watching someone else exercise. It’s just not going to work. We are all fundamentally hands-on learners.

What would you like to learn? What next action step can you take?

5. Trust your gut (or learn to recognize omens, and follow them.) Many times our subconscious has already made a decision before we have caught up and made the same decision. Sometimes we don’t make the same decision and then “something doesn’t feel right,” or there is a persistent nagging that bothers us.

Malcolm Gladwell wrote extensively about this phenomenon in his book, Blink: The Power of Thinking without Thinking . Trust your gut—it may be more accurate than you think.

6. Follow your dreams. There are many of us who dream our dreams without ever actually realizing any of them. For whatever reason, we get locked in a “dream state” and never take action. We analyze too much and in our imagination our dreams turn into giant mountains that seem impossible to climb. As a result, we never learned that foreign language we’ve always wanted to learn, or travelled, or started that business, or written that book. Just think of the many bestsellers that would have been, but were never written…

The time is now, to awake from dreamland, to live the life we want and to achieve the extraordinary potential within us all.

What are some dreams you would like to realize now?

7. Know what you want.

Set goals and make plans to achieve them. It’s like saying “ a goal that is never written down is nothing but a New Year’s resolution ”—and we all know what happens to New Year’s resolutions.

8. Make a decision and dive in with massive action. The river of life will take you to places that you have never imagined. Once you make a decision, take action. You’ll be surprised to find where it leads.

9. Move on—always look forward.

It’s ok to look back every now and then, but don’t live in the past. You can visit “pity city” for a short time, but then you have to leave it all behind and walk on.

10. You will encounter obstacles and take detours while realizing your dreams. As you strive to achieve your dreams, you can count on some setbacks and disappointments along the way. Don’t get discouraged; the road to your dreams may not be an easy one. Think of these challenges as tests of persistence and courage that life throws at you during your quest. They were necessary and were meant to help you grow as a person.

11. Don’t fear the unknown. As long as you are resourceful and have a few skills, you will be able to provide for yourself (and your family). Have confidence in yourself at all times.

12. Learn to understand the universal language—the language without words. There is so much more said by a person than just words alone. You can read the expression on someone’s face, sense their body language, or hear the tone in their voice—these things are all part of the unspoken language. The more conscious we become at noticing them, the better we become at interpreting them.

(Stachura, Vic. “12 Powerful Life Lessons.” Cited May 16, 2012. Online: http://thinksimplenow.com/motivation/12-powerful-life-lessons.)

Well for the Journey 120 W. Seminary Avenue Lutherville-Timonium, MD 21093

Office: 410-296-9355 Email Us

• Impact Statement / Mission / Guiding Principles
• Board of Directors
• Facilitators
• Strategic Plan
• COVID-19 Updates
• Program Calendar
• Mobile Well
• About “Well Said”
• Well Said – An Evening with Eric Clayton (April 18, 2024)
• 2023-2024 Winter Programming Flip Book
• Volunteer at the Well
• Subscribe to Daily Faith Reflection
• Subscribe to “For Your Journey” E-News
• Frequently Asked Questions
• Well-Being Wed Call Library
• Spiritual Wellness Library
• Scholarship Application
• Cancellation Policy
• Inclement Weather Policy

Contact The Well

• Name * First Last
• Comments This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.
• Email This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.

[Form id=”9″]

[Form id=”8″]

[Form id=”2″]

Stay up to date with all that is happening at the Well by subscribing to our once-weekly E-newsletter, "For Your Journey."

I'm signed up! Please don't show me this again.

Journey Motif in Paulo Coelho’s The Alchemist: A Study of the Role and Relevance of Archetypal Figures

• Dr Anmol Department of Higher Education, Himachal Pradesh University

The Alchemist is a famous novel by Brazilian author Paulo Coelho that was first published in 1988. The work traces a young shepherd’s journey named Santiago to the pyramids of Egypt in search of treasure. A recurring dream is the call for him to set on the perilous as well as adventurous journey. In this journey the boy faces many hindrances and obstacles. The main theme of the novel is about finding ones destiny. Paulo Coelho explains that “when you really want something to happen, the whole universe will conspire so that your wish comes of true.” This is core philosophy and motif of the novel. A hero follows his call from the unknown world which provides perils and pitfalls to test hero’s strength and determination. The boy reaches an oasis when he meets and falls in love with an Arabian girl, Fatima who claims true love for him and later proves a temptress in his journey. The boy sells all his shepherds so that he could meet the expenditure of his journey but he is robed. The boy takes such ordeals off hands until he doesn’t meet an old wise man, the Guru figure an alchemist who guides him in the rest of his journey. The alchemist, teaches him to realize his true self, his persona. They together risk the rest of the journey through the territory of warring tribes. At last Santiago is informed by a stranger that the treasure he has been seeking is in the ruined church where he had his original dream. Santiago has achieved the goal of his journey by finding the treasure of realization within and he is no more striving for any mundane accumulations. The hero turns triumph on his journey towards self even after facing the hardships of it.

Author Biography

Dr Anmol, a juvenile research-scholar of Himachal Pradesh University and presently working as a Lecturer in English in the Department of Higher Education, Govt. of Himachal Pradesh, having 08 years of experience in teaching. He has attended several workshops on Literature & Languages and presented his research papers.

Copyright (c) 2021 Dr Anmol

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License .

Before you submit your article, you must read our Copyright Notice .

Online ISSN 2394-6075 / Print ISSN 2250-3366

Publication Impact Factor

CLRI has received high Publication Impact Factor by various organizations.

5.236  by COSMOS 8.1458  by GISI 3.886  by I2OR 0.201 CGIJ by OAJI 7.419  by SJIF

Contemporary Literary Review India is creating buzz in the media

The CEO Magazine Duotrope   The English Historical   Review The Indian  Express The Himalayan Writing Retreat  

CLRI is recognised by UGC

Contemporary Literary Review India (CLRI) is at par with UGC's list of approved journals as per new notification . CLRI features among UGC Notified Journals .

CLRI is OA Journal

CLRI follows open access (OA) policy. Readers and authors can access all the content published with CLRI for free.

CLRI is indexed or listed with

Avicenna Scientific Index BazEkon Budapest Open Access Initiative CiteFactor Cosmos Directory of Abstract Indexing for Journals DRJI Duotrope EBSCO Electronic Journals Library Every Writer Google Scholar Index Copernicus International Institute of Organized Research (I2OR) JGate Matwaala Microsoft Academic   National Library of India NewPages OAJI Online News Papers   Parliament of Australia Poets & Writers ProQuest Pune University   Scholar Article Journal Index Scientific Journal Impact Factor   Stanford Libraries Universitäts Bibliothek Leipzig Vidya Sagar University WorldCat World-Newspapers WZB Berlin Social Science Center ZDB Zeroland

For more listing, see Indexing & Archiving

Learn Markdown

The Power Within You

CLRI on Facebook

CLRI on YouTube

CLRI on LinkedIn

CLRI on Twitter

Follow @CLRIndia  |  Tweet to @clrindia

CLRI on Instagram 

Follow us on Instagram  | @clrijournal

CLRI on Magzter

Read CLRI online quarterly issues from Magzter at a very cheap subscription.

• For Readers
• For Authors
• For Librarians

About Us | Announcement |  Subscribe |  Book Reviews | Privacy Policy | Terms of Usage |  Sitemap | Contact  

INDEXED BY THE WEB OF SCIENCE (ESCI)

16 years of open access humanitarian scholarship, relevance of symbols in paulo coelho’s the alchemist.

Rajat Sebastian

Research Scholar, Department of English and Cultural Studies, CHRIST (Deemed to be University), Bangalore, India. ORCID: 0000-0003-4029-515X. Email: [email protected]

Rupkatha Journal , Vol. 14, Issue 2, April-June, 2022, Pages  https://doi.org/10.21659/rupkatha.v14n2.24

First published : June 26, 2022 | Area: Aesthetic Studies  | License : CC BY-NC 4.0

Brazilian author, Paulo Coelho is known for his tales that inspire readers to overcome conflicts and move toward the ‘ultimate truth’. The popularity of such inspirational writings (both fictional and non-fictional) in the new age has given rise to a new literature style. Coelho’s fiction, though inspirational, describes journeys that are physical and psychological at the same time. Symbols guide him in his journeys, forming a significant part of the novels. While these novels are said to appear inspirational for depressed souls with a profound philosophical and spiritual dilemma, the study of symbols found in these novels appears significant. This research aims to read closely the novel The   Alchemist by Paulo Coelho and evaluate the symbols in it. The research shall attribute the commonly accepted meanings to the symbols and assess the impact of such ‘accepted’ meanings on the same novel through Peirce’s model of semiotic analysis.

Keywords : Paulo Coelho, The Alchemist , symbols, relevance, semiotics

Introduction:

Brazilian author Paulo Coelho emerged in a literary scenario in 1995 to translate his bestseller  The Pilgrimage  from Portuguese to English. Since then, Coelho’s novels have joined the bestsellers club worldwide. He has made a record-breaking sale of over 350 million copies of his books translated into 80 languages (Joshi, 2017). Coelho also entered the Guinness Book of Records, the first time being the only writer signing the most books in the Frankfurt Book Fair (2003) and the second for his novel  The Alchemist , becoming the most translated book globally. Coelho integrates his spiritual philosophy through his books in a simple style and palatable language. His fiction and non-fiction turn out to be an awakening call for the reader to live up to their dream or ‘personal legend’, as Coelho calls it. The characters in Coelho’s novels show how one can reach the highest stage of fulfilment, happiness and spiritual existence, overcoming psycho-cultural barriers (Joshi, 2017, p. 2). Coelho has achieved tremendous fame and exposure than any other Brazilian novelist due to film adaptations of his three novels, e-book versions, publicity policies and constant interaction with his readers through his blogs. His works thus become worthy of scholarly study.

A characteristic feature of the archetypal theme of the hero’s journey is symbolism. Symbols are signs which are not intermediaries for their objects but are vehicles for the conception of objects (Langer, 1951, p. 61). In discussing things, we have conceptions of them, not simply the things; it is the conceptions, not the things, that symbols directly mean (Langer, 1951, p. 61). Symbols help Coelho describe the protagonist’s journey – both physical and psychological – towards self-awakening or self-discovery. When the protagonist overcomes internal and external obstacles during the journey, symbols act to destroy personal negativities and help the protagonist retain hope (Joshi, 2017, p. 7). Coelho’s use of symbols varies from animal to religious symbols, as he uses dogs, fountains and even a cross as symbols. Symbols manifest the collective unconscious, the implicate order of human existence (Jung, 1969, p. 286).

“Symbols, particularly those that endure, can be seen as the visual manifestation of archetypes. The greater the appeal and attraction of such symbols, and the longer that attraction endures, the more likely it is to connect to the deepest levels of the collective unconscious” (Jung, 1969, p. 287).

The Alchemist

The   Alchemist, published by Harper Collins Publications in 1998, is the story of a boy who dreams of a treasure and undertakes a long journey to find it, only to realise that the treasure lies at his own home. As cited by Arash Hejazi, the story is based on a fable that appears in book VI of  The   Mathanawi  written by the thirteenth-century Iranian poet Rumi and is also found in the Arabian  One   Thousand   and   One   Nights (Hejazi, 2009). The story even appears in the English folktale  The   Pedlar   of   Swaffham  (1870), and Australian author Leo Perutz has based his novel  Night   under   the   Stone   Bridge  (1952) on the same plot. Later, Jorge Luis Borges adopted the story in his short story  ‘Historia de los dos que Sonaron’  (1974), becoming Coelho’s inspiration. An alchemist is a person or a chemist practising alchemy principles like transforming base metals into gold. He can also be considered a wizard who attempts to make special elixirs curing illness and impart immortality. Hence, the Alchemist is an expert seeking an elixir of life, a panacea for all diseases and the ‘philosopher’s stone’.

In the context of The Alchemist , Alchemy is a symbol of the spiritual enlightenment of Santiago, the protagonist of the novel, and is about converting lower metals into higher ones. Symbolically, spiritual enlightenment transforms human consciousness from a lower to a higher level. In his early twenties, Santiago, a young shepherd from an Andalusian Mountain village in Spain, learns alchemy and achieves his highest destiny at different stages of his journey. He has attended a seminary, knows Spanish, Latin and theology, and likes to read books. His dream was to travel to parts of the world, while his farmer parents wanted him to be a priest. However, for Santiago, travelling was ‘much more important than knowing God and learning about man’s sins’ (Coelho, 1998). Since only the rich or the shepherds can travel, Santiago becomes a shepherd, as his father agrees. His father, too, once dreamed of travelling, but the dream got buried under the responsibilities of life. It made him understand Santiago’s dream and allowed his son to discover the world. The novel thus narrates Santiago’s journey towards his treasure, overcome by various obstacles that transformed him for the greater good.

Review of Literature:

While The Alchemist is a symbolic representation of man’s insatiable quest to search for his place in the world and also the ultimate search for the meaning of life and the universe (Raina, 2017, p.6), it also uses one or more animals as symbols around which the story revolves (Lakshmi & Mani, 2018, p. 313). Coelho’s use of animal symbolism makes animals act like vehicles to the reader through which the stories revolve and are the manifestations of the characters concerned (Lakshmi & Mani, 2018, p. 313). Moreover, The Alchemist uses the techniques of magical realism but endows them with a visionary quality, promoting the notion that each of us is destined for a treasure (Hart, 2010, p. 312). This notion makes the entire novel symbolic, giving the protagonist’s journey a symbolic meaning. It makes its readers feel that each of them has a magical dream buried deep down within them and that it is up to them to search the reality around them until they finally discover where the magic is (Hart, 2010, p. 312). A specific category of symbolism, such as animal symbolism, thus becomes a part of the already symbolic novel. While Coelho expresses himself through the protagonist Santiago (Geetha & Thambi, 2018, p. 98), the transformational journey of the self is also evident in the character Englishman (Mirafuentes et al., 2015, p. 175).

Coelho’s narratives are generally recognisable and highly symbolic of the migrant experience (road, trains, airports, language schools, religious differences, translations, cultural shock, home, longing, memory and identity crisis) (Murta, 2018, p. 17). Therefore, they strike emotional chords (pathos) with a transnational audience, and thematically, the transnational or the migrant experience leads to self-improvement (Murta, 2018, p. 17). Symbolism in The Alchemist could also be seen when we consider how the idea of “Ithaca” is expressed in the novel. For Coelho, the concept called “Ithaca” by the philosopher Constantine Cavafy is the ethical philosophy of life. All his novels appear to be based on the theme of the poem Ithaca (More, 2015, p. 19). Ithaca is a metaphor for birth and death, a great journey we all have to make, whether we want to or not (More, 2015, p. 19). Such a statement, in turn, substantiates the argument that The Alchemist is a symbolic novel, and the life of the protagonist Santiago reveals the philosophy of existentialism, as Coelho used symbolism effectively to make the whole story of The Alchemist a symbol of one’s whole life (Makwana, 2018, p. 199). Paulo Coelho powerfully constructs his plots in the form of an odyssey and positions his characters in imbalanced situations where they feel discontented and puts them through a struggle to obtain meaning out of meaninglessness (Jondhale, 2021, p. 47). He guides them through transcendence leading to spiritual awakening, ultimately portraying them as evolved selves (Jondhale, 2021, p. 47).

Alchemy usually refers to heating metals in the laboratory to transform them into higher and better ones (Antony, 2015, p. 188). However, for Coelho, it means the personal transformation of the protagonist from a weak to a nobler character (Antony, 2015, p. 189). Thus, many pieces of research prove that The Alchemist is a novel in which the protagonist’s journey is symbolic of self-transformation in life. Still, only the relevance of animal symbolism has explicitly been focused on. This paper thus analyses the significant symbols in The Alchemist , without particular focus on any specific group of symbols, to understand the combined effect of those symbols on the novel.

Research Method:

The study of signs can be loosely defined as semiotics (Chandler, 2007, p. 1). Semiotics, also called semiology, was first used by the Swiss linguist Ferdinand de Saussure in the early twentieth century (Bouzida, 2014, p. 1001). He states that semiotics is concerned with everything that can be taken as a sign (Eco, 1976, p. 7). Semiotics involves studying what we refer to as ‘signs’ in everyday speech but of anything which ‘stands for something else (Chandler, 2007, p. 2). Notwithstanding, the two essential customs in contemporary semiotics come from the Swiss linguist Ferdinand de Saussure (1857–1913) and the American philosopher Charles Sanders Peirce (1839–1914).

The principal concept of Saussure’s theory was initiated from the thought of a dichotomy or duality basis in which, according to him, a sign consists of two focal components, namely signifier-the sound pattern (marker sound image) and signified- the concept (the outcome/the interpretation/conception of the signifier) (Yakin, 2014, p. 6). A signifier refers to something in a material form (physical) that explicitly exists and can be distinguished by human senses (Eco, 1976). On the other hand, signified denotes something literally and physically that does not exist on an abstract basis (Eco, 1976). Rather than Saussure’s model of the sign as an ‘independent dyad’, Peirce offered a triadic (three-section) model comprising of:

• The Representamen: The form which the sign takes (not material, however usually deciphered thus) – called by certain scholars the ‘sign vehicle’ (Chandler, 2007, p. 29).
• An Interpretant: Not an interpreter but rather the sense made of the sign (Chandler, 2007, p. 29).
• An Object: Something beyond the sign it refers to (a referent) (Chandler, 2007, p. 29).

Each of the three elements is fundamental to qualify as a sign. The sign is solidarity of what is represented (the object), how it is represented (the representamen) and how it is interpreted (the interpretant) (Chandler, 2007, p. 29).

Saussure also suggested that signs have certain limitations, subject to a system of conventions (Yakin, 2014, p. 7).

“For Saussure, something becomes a sign when it is mutually or commonly agreed upon as a sign by all those involved in the particular culture. In contrast to Saussure’s view, Peirce did not confine the existence of a sign as something that is purposely conveyed. For Peirce, anything can be a sign when someone has interpreted it as a sign, even though it was not purposely meant or communicated” (Yakin, 2014, p. 7).

Peirce’s ideology of sign encompasses everything, whether created by humans or not, as long as it can be grasped and acknowledged by their minds (Eco, 1976). Peirce’s model of semiotics thus expands the idea of ‘symbols’ in The Alchemist much more than Saussure’s model. The triadic model proposed by Peirce would also help find the meanings of the symbols extensively, as they could be studied by dissecting as representamen, interpretant and object, compared to Saussure’s dyadic model of semiotics. This research shall identify the significant symbols found in The Alchemist and assess their meanings through Peirce’s model of semiotics by splitting them into representant, interpretant and object. It shall then apply those meanings to the novel’s story to understand the impact of symbols in The Alchemist .

Discussion:

The following are the eight significant symbols found in The Alchemist , classified into representant, interpretant and object according to Peirce’s model of semiotics:

• Sheep and Wolf

As indicated by Michael Ferber in his book A Dictionary of Literary Symbols , sheep-raising was a critical practice in the Mediterranean islands’ uneven areas (2017, p. 200). He says that numerous current English expressions and a few maxims, some of the scriptural or old-style starting points, vouch for the proceeding with the presence of the universe of sheep (Ferber, 2017, p. 200). The term is non-exclusive in English, while the sheep are crowded in a herd and kept in a sheepfold, sheepcote or sheep pen. Ferber adds that the Bible is loaded with sheep similitudes, giving models from the Old Testament, for example, “I saw all Israel scattered upon the hills, as sheep that have no shepherd” (1 Kgs 22.17). The New Testament makes Jesus Christ the shepherd of Israel (Ferber, 2017, p. 200). The old-style custom of peaceful verse, indicated in Homer yet commonly taken to date from Theocritus in the third century BC, depends on a romanticised and improved variant of the existence of shepherds and goatherds (Ferber, 2017, p. 201). Indeed, even two of Shakespeare’s plays, for instance, are peaceful: As You Like It and The Winter’s Tale .

Notwithstanding, the most energising piece of Ferber’s definition is the wolf’s thought, adding that the wolf is the conventional adversary of sheep (Ferber, 2017, p. 202). “Till the wolf and the sheep be joined together” appears to have been a Greek identical to “never” (Ferber, 2017, p. 202). Ferber adds that the prophet Isaiah notably envisions when the land is re-established to the Lord’s approval:

“The wolf shall dwell with the lamb, and the leopard shall lie down with the kid; and the calf and the young lion and the fatling together, and a little child shall lead them” (11.6).

In English poetry, adjectives such as harmless”, “humble”, and “simple” got attached to “sheep” and “lambs” (Ferber, 2017, p. 202). The novel introduces  Santiago  as a shepherd. Although Santiago sells his sheep to travel to Egypt’s Pyramids, he reflects on his life as a shepherd throughout the narrative. Many of the lessons he learns on his journey also reinforce things he discovered by being a shepherd. As Coelho writes,

 “The boy prodded them, one by one, with his crook, calling each by name. He had always believed that the sheep were able to understand what he said” (1998, p. 4).

 Santiago was close to his sheep, and talking to them apart from rearing was his hobby. However, when the king Melchizedek offered him a chance to find a treasure hidden for him in Egypt, he was ready to leave his folk for something uncertain.

“Here I am, between my flock and my treasure, the boy thought. He had to choose between something he had become accustomed to and something he wanted to have” (Coelho, 1998, p. 23).

When we try to apply the definitions of sheep given by Michael Ferber to that of the sheep we see in  The Alchemist , it must be noted that Santiago’s sheep act as a symbol that denotes peace, humbleness and simplicity. Being a shepherd himself, Santiago had a very close relationship with his sheep, thereby considering the sheep as a part of himself. The fact that Santiago is identified as a shepherd throughout the novel results from the same. As a shepherd, Santiago remained humble, calm, and straightforward throughout, even when he was robbed. Thus, the meanings attributed by Michael Ferber to the word ‘sheep’ complies with the symbol of sheep found in  The Alchemist.  The novel even attributes the sheep’s characteristics to their shepherd, identifying both as one with the same qualities.

• Umim and Thummim

While Umim and Thummim are fortune-telling stones that the character Melchizedek gives to Santiago in  The Alchemist , no formal meanings or definitions can be found for the words and the stones they represent. However, considering the stones in the novel’s context, Umim and Thummim also address the human craving to surrender control and decision-making ability. The best lie on the planet, as expressed by Melchizedek, is that people do not control their destinies. Although Melchizedek is the person who offers the stones to Santiago, they additionally represent the very thing that he says Santiago ought to stay away from – confiding in something besides himself to settle on a choice. The stones are black and white, with their colours representing “yes” and “no” answers. In the novel, Melchizedek asks Santiago to use the stones whenever he needs to decide, particularly on questions that need a “yes” or “no” answer. Santiago kept both the stones in a cloth bag. He picked up one stone at random whenever he struggled to decide and proceeded according to the colour of the stone he picked up. It is interesting to note how blindly Santiago trusted the two stones in the novel. However, not all his decisions were based on the stone, as Santiago used them only during two challenging situations. His ideas of working in a glassware shop and suggesting changes to the shopkeeper were based on his instincts. In such a scenario, the stones appear to be beyond human instincts. If so, the question of how can two stones go beyond human consciousness to help make decisions remain unanswered.

In the novel, Alchemy is considered a process initially just known bit-by-bit to the Englishman and Santiago. In both cases, the specifics of alchemy symbolise more significant life lessons. Alchemy is usually defined as a process in which a metal is purified to the extent that it becomes gold. As written by Coelho,

 “They were men who had dedicated their entire lives to the purification of metals in their laboratories; they believed that, if a metal were heated for many years, it would free itself of all its individual properties, and what was left would be the soul of the world. This Soul of the World allowed them to understand anything on the face of the earth because it was the language with which all things communicated. They called that discovery the Master Work -it was part liquid and part solid” (1998, p. 61). 

The Englishman clarifies that the quest for the ‘Master Work’, another term for Alchemy, in which chemists go through years cautiously contemplating and filtering metals, really filters the actual alchemists. Self-advancement goes inseparably from the improvement of the ‘Master Work’. From this, Santiago understands that one may seek after “a speculative chemistry of life,” wherein self-improvement results from the world’s investigation and different standards of the same chemistry to regular life practices.

• Al-Fayoum or The Oasis

  The Oasis or Al-Fayoum is considered a neutral territory in the desert tribal wars. In the novel, we can see that Santiago defies the elder chief at the Oasis with his vision of a future in which adversary fighters attack Al-Fayoum. There can be two explanations behind the Oasis symbol: first, the two sides of the tribal war have oases to secure. Thus, both have an essential shortcoming (or weak point). Second, the Oasis contains regular citizens, many of whom are women and children. Al-Fayoum, or Oasis, in this way, represents a lack of bias, yet life and flourishment.

• The Emerald Tablet 

The Emerald Tablet is seen as one of the speculative and noteworthy proprietaries of the Alchemists. It is a solitary emerald engraved with guidelines for finishing the Master Work: the making of the Philosopher’s Stone and the Elixir of Life. These unique guidelines were, in this way, basic enough that they could be composed on the outside of a solitary stone. The Alchemist in the novel discloses to Santiago that Alchemists later started to doubt simplicity; thus, they made different messages and accumulated other data about the Master Work. According to him, many make progress toward the objective of the Master Work, however, with no accomplishments. Hence, the Emerald Tablet symbolises the significance of simplicity as a value.

• Pyramids of Egypt

As indicated by Michael Ferber, the Pyramids of Egypt, existent for the past 5,000 years, have entered literature as bywords for impermanence or the futile vainglory of rulers (Ferber, 2017, p. 171). He says that the inception of the word ‘pyramid’ is obscure, yet to the Greeks, it was recommended: “pyr” (fire). Plato felt that since the pyramid, or tetrahedron, was the most versatile, the littlest, and the keenest of the ideal (Platonic) solids, it was “the component and seed of fire”. Likewise, it was thought to take after a fire (Ferber, 2017, p. 172).

Throughout the novel, the Pyramids of Egypt are Santiago’s ultimate objective, as they mark the location of the treasure he was looking. Consequently, the pyramids represent his legend. The pyramids are hidden in a secret view, taking extraordinary exertion to find them across the desert. They are considered a dazzling accomplishment of design and human achievement on the grounds and symbolise Santiago’s journey’s trouble and the beauty of the same journey coming to an end with an accomplishment.

• The Abandoned Church

  The Abandoned church in Spain marks the novel’s beginning and end. It can be seen that Santiago longs for his fortune while dozing in the imploded church toward the start of the book, and he gets back to the same place to discover his fortune at the end. The unwanted church thus represents his own home. The home may not necessarily be a physical place but a feeling attributed to Santiago’s mind – a feeling of familiarity. Since Santiago eventually did not have to venture out any physical distance to discover his fortune, which was in his own country, he could discover the same fact only through a venture. The Abandoned church’s significance is thus related to Egypt’s Pyramids because the journey to the Pyramids made Santiago find his treasure at the church. The abandoned church may be damaged, broken and worn-out as it was abandoned. If the abandoned church symbolises home (as a feeling), the church is ‘abandoned’ and symbolises a broken heart. Thus, in the broken heart of Santiago, he could find his treasure.

As per Ferber’s dictionary, gold is the first metal (Ferber, 2017, p. 91). “Gold, similar to fire bursting/in the evening, sparkles transcendent amid noble riches”, says Greek verse artist Pindar (Race, 1997, p. 1). Its excellence and virtue gave it divine status in scriptural and old-style culture; un-tarnish-able and subsequently godlike, it has a place with the divine beings – “Gold is the offspring of Zeus” (Race, 1997, p. 86). “Golden” is applied to whatever is ideal or generally superb, like the golden guideline, the golden stanzas of Pythagoras, or the golden mean (Ferber, 2017, p. 91). The sun is golden – Pindar again has “the golden strength of the sun” (Race, 1997, p. 118), while Shakespeare has the sun’s “gold appearance” in Sonnet 18 (Shakespeare and Burrow, 2002, p. 417) – whereas the moon is silver. Gold consumes in another sense, for it is a profound risk, a reason for evil (Ferber, 2017, p. 91).

The symbols found in The Alchemist can be classified or divided as follows according to Peirce’s idea of signs:

Table1: Symbols found in Paulo Coelho’s The Alchemist are classified or divided according to Peirce’s sign model.

Conclusion:

Daniel Chandler argues that every text is a system of signs organised according to codes and sub-codes, which reflect particular values, attitudes, beliefs, assumptions and practices (Chandler, 2007, p. 157). While writing, we select and join signs concerning the codes we are familiar with. Codes make it simpler to impart encounters providing better communication experiences. In understanding writings, we decipher signs regarding what seems to be the appropriate codes to restrict their potential implications (Chandler, 2007, p. 157). He adds that textual codes do not decide the content’s implications. However, dominant codes constrain them. Social conventions guarantee that signs cannot mean whatever an individual needs them to mean. The utilisation of codes helps direct us toward what Stuart Hall calls ‘a preferred reading’ and away from what Umberto Eco calls ‘aberrant decoding. Be that as it may, media messages do not fluctuate in the degree to which they are not entirely clear (Hall, 1980, p. 134).

Consequently, all interpretations are systems of signs: they signify rather than represent, and they do as such with essential reference to codes instead of reality (Chandler, 2007, p. 160). As Catherine Belsey notes, ‘realism is possible not because it reflects the world, but because it is constructed out of what is (discursively) familiar’ (Belsey, 1980, p. 47). Realism becomes relative, dictated by the system of representation standard for a given culture or individual at a given time (Goodman, 1968, p. 37).

When we inferred and attributed meanings that were socially ‘accepted’ and ‘familiar’ in literature to random symbols found in  The Alchemist , their meanings seemed to ‘adjust’ with codes rather than reality. It is not possible to assume whether Coelho deliberately used the symbols found in the novels. However, they stand as a sign vehicle, carrying their meanings determined by specific ‘codes’. Even though open-ness drives symbols and their meanings to appear to be expected after some time, we need to figure out how to ‘read’ such symbols. Reading the symbols thus becomes mechanical and confined to specific forms or structures. Thus, the structure made  The Alchemist  a famous novel, provided the readers were already trained to think and read standing amidst that structure.

Declaration of Conflict of Interests

The author(s) declared no potential conflicts of interest.

No funding has been received for the publication of this article. It is published free of any charge.

Acknowledgements

I would like to thank Dr Vidya S and Dr Chandan Kumar, Assistant Professors, Department of English and Cultural Studies, CHRIST (Deemed to be University), Bangalore, for their valuable guidance and support in providing feedback on my ideas and thoughts. My understanding of semiotics would not have been complete without their help.

Antony, S. (2015). Spiritual quest as the Pervading motif: A Semiotic Analysis of Paulo Coelho’s The Alchemist (dissertation).

Belsey, C. (1980). Critical Practice . Methuen.

Bouzida, F. (2014, September). The Semiology Analysis in Media Studies – Roland Barthes Approach -. Istanbul; Occerints.

Chandler, D. (2007). Semiotics: The Basics (2nd ed.). Routledge.

Coelho, P. (1998). The Alchemist . Harper Luxe, an imprint of HarperCollins Publishers.

Eco, U. (1976). A Theory of Semiotics . Indiana University Press.

Ferber, M. (2017). A Dictionary of Literary Symbols . Cambridge University Press.

Geetha, P., & Thambi, O. (2018). Expression of Personal Experience in the Novels of Paulo Coelho. Language in India , 18(4), 94–102.

Goodman, N. (1968). Languages of Art: An Approach to a Theory of Symbols . Oxford University Press.

Hall, S., & Hall, S. (1980). Culture, media, language: working papers in cultural studies. In Culture, Media, Language: Working Papers in Cultural Studies (pp. 128–138). essay, Routledge.

Hart, S. M. (2010). Cultural Hybridity, Magical Realism, and the Language of Magic in Paulo Coelho’s The Alchemist. Romance Quarterly , 51(4), 304–312. https://doi.org/10.3200/rqtr.51.4.304-312 .

Hejazi, A. (2009, October 15). The Alchemy of the Alchemist: How Paulo Coelho became the most translated living author for the same book . Arash Hejazi. http://english.arashhejazi.com/alchemy-of-the-alchemist/.

Jondhale, G. P. (2021 ). A Cross-Cultural Odyssey in the Discovery of Self: A Study of Select Novels by Paulo Coelho (dissertation).

Joshi, S. M. (2017). Paulo Coelho’s Select Fiction: A Study in Inspirational Literature (thesis). Shivaji University, Kohlapur.

Jung, C. G. (1969). The Archetypes and the Collective Unconscious: Collected Works of C.G. Jung . (Vol. 9). Princeton University Press.

Lakshmi, D. V., & Mani, K. R. S. (2018). Animal Symbolism in Paulo Coelho’s Novels – A Select Study. International Journal of Innovative Research & Studies , 8(2).

Langer, S. K. (1951). Philosophy in a New Key: A Study in the Symbolism of Reason, Rite and Art . New American Library.

Makwana, K. (2018). Symbolism in Paulo Coelho’s The Alchemist. Research Directions , 6(7), 196–197.

Mirafuentes, J. K. A., Alegria, M. A. A., Chua, L. L., & Arcipe, N. L. (2015). Human Ethos of Paulo Coelho’s Selected Novels: A Critical-Thematic analysis. UV Journal of Research , 171–188.

More, V. R. (2015). Paulo Coelho’s Philosophical Vision as Reflected in His Novels. The South Asian Academic Research Chronicle , 2, 15–22.

Murta, A. P. (2018). Paulo Coelho: Transnational Literature, Popular Culture, and Postmodernism (dissertation).

Race, W. H. (1997). Pindar: Olympian Odes. Pythian Odes . Harvard University Press.

Raina, J. A. (2017). An Existential Reading of Paulo Coelho’s Novel, The Alchemist. Shanlax International Journal of English , 6(1).

Shakespeare, W., & Burrow, C. (2002). Shakespeare: The Complete Sonnets and Poems . Oxford University Press.

Yakin, H. S., & Totu, A. (2014). The Semiotic Perspectives of Peirce and Saussure: A brief comparative study. Procedia – Social and Behavioral Sciences , 155, 4–8. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.sbspro.2014.10.247.

Rajat Sebastian is a Research Scholar of English Studies at the Department of English and Cultural Studies, CHRIST (Deemed to be University), Bangalore, India. He holds an MA in English with Cultural Studies from the same university. Apart from being a freelance photographer, his academic interests focus on the relationship between symbols and their meanings through textual and philosophical approaches, especially semiotics.

Related Articles:

• Colour as Symbols in the Select Works of Yann Martel

You might be interested in

What is Performance Studies?

Representation of the ‘National Self’— Novelistic Portrayal of a New Cultural Identity in Gora

Ravaged bodies, embodied performance: performativity in dattani’s brief candle, privacy overview.

• Religion & Spirituality
• New Age & Spirituality

Download the free Kindle app and start reading Kindle books instantly on your smartphone, tablet, or computer - no Kindle device required .

Read instantly on your browser with Kindle for Web.

Using your mobile phone camera - scan the code below and download the Kindle app.

Image Unavailable

• To view this video download Flash Player

Follow the author

The Alchemist's Journey: An Old System For A New Age Paperback – January 1, 2006

• Print length 287 pages
• Language English
• Publisher Hay House Inc
• Publication date January 1, 2006
• Dimensions 5.5 x 0.5 x 8.5 inches
• ISBN-10 140190470X
• ISBN-13 978-1401904708
• See all details

Customers who viewed this item also viewed

Editorial Reviews

About the author, product details.

• Publisher ‏ : ‎ Hay House Inc (January 1, 2006)
• Language ‏ : ‎ English
• Paperback ‏ : ‎ 287 pages
• ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 140190470X
• ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-1401904708
• Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 1.04 pounds
• Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 5.5 x 0.5 x 8.5 inches
• #1,610 in Celtic Religions (Books)
• #45,702 in Occult & Paranormal
• #80,076 in Personal Transformation Self-Help

About the author

Glennie kindred.

Discover more of the author’s books, see similar authors, read author blogs and more

Customer reviews

Customer Reviews, including Product Star Ratings help customers to learn more about the product and decide whether it is the right product for them.

To calculate the overall star rating and percentage breakdown by star, we don’t use a simple average. Instead, our system considers things like how recent a review is and if the reviewer bought the item on Amazon. It also analyzed reviews to verify trustworthiness.

• Sort reviews by Top reviews Most recent Top reviews

Top reviews from the United States

There was a problem filtering reviews right now. please try again later..

Top reviews from other countries

• Amazon Newsletter
• About Amazon
• Accessibility
• Sustainability
• Press Center
• Investor Relations
• Amazon Devices
• Amazon Science
• Start Selling with Amazon
• Sell apps on Amazon
• Supply to Amazon
• Protect & Build Your Brand
• Become an Affiliate
• Become a Delivery Driver
• Start a Package Delivery Business
• Advertise Your Products
• Self-Publish with Us
• Host an Amazon Hub
• › See More Ways to Make Money
• Amazon Visa
• Amazon Store Card
• Amazon Secured Card
• Amazon Business Card
• Shop with Points
• Credit Card Marketplace
• Reload Your Balance
• Amazon Currency Converter
• Your Account
• Your Orders
• Shipping Rates & Policies
• Amazon Prime
• Returns & Replacements
• Manage Your Content and Devices
• Recalls and Product Safety Alerts
• Conditions of Use
• Privacy Notice
• Consumer Health Data Privacy Disclosure
• Your Ads Privacy Choices

Who is Kato Kaelin? The Milwaukee native played a high-profile role in O.J. Simpson trial

Milwaukee native Brian "Kato" Kaelin, a Milwaukee native who became one of the most distinguishable personalities enmeshed in the landmark O.J. Simpson murder trial of 1994-95, became a household name to many across the state and country.

Simpson, who was acquitted of the charges of killing his ex-wife, Nicole Brown Simpson, and Ronald Goldman, died Wednesday at age 76.

Here's what to know about Kaelin, who was a witness in one of the biggest trials in American history:

Kato Kaelin was born in Milwaukee and attended Nicolet High School

Kaelin played multiple sports at Nicolet in Glendale, just north of Milwaukee. After graduating from Nicolet, he attended the University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire for two years as a speech major. According to an Associated Press article in 1995, his nickname stems from "The Green Hornet," which featured a limousine driver named Kato. Older brother Mark had an affinity for the television program and used the nickname to describe many of the six siblings in the house, but the nickname stuck to Brian.

Kaelin, an aspiring actor, had moved to Los Angeles at the time of the killings and was staying in a guest house on Simpson's Rockingham estate; he bore witness to some of Simpson's movements the night of June 12, 1994.

Kato Kaelin gave testimony at the Simpson trial, but was declared a hostile witness

Kaelin was with Simpson before and after the time it's believed Brown Simpson and Goldman were murdered. Some of his testimony contradicted Simpson's timeline of the night's events.

Kaelin befriended OJ and Nicole Simpson and was staying in their guest home, sometimes taking care of the couple's children for a reduction in rent. When Brown Simpson moved out of the home, Kaelin stayed and helped take care of the property, though Kaelin was often painted as a freeloader.

Kaelin testified he was with Simpson from about 9:15 to 9:45 p.m. June 12 on a run to McDonald's after Simpson was excluded from a family gathering at Mezzaluna restaurant following his daughter's dance recital. Kaelin didn't see Simpson again until Simpson left in a limousine for the airport at 11 p.m. The murders were believed to take place between 10 and 11 p.m. Goldman, a waiter at Mezzaluna, was returning a pair of glasses left by someone in the family party when he was killed.

Kaelin said he also heard a thumping sound outside his guest house around 10:40 p.m. and, while on the grounds looking for the source, opened the gate for limousine driver Allan Park, who was scheduled to give Simpson a ride to the airport at 10:45 p.m. but didn't get an answer from the house on an intercom.

More: I idolized O.J. Simpson as a kid. Later, I thought he got away with murder.

Park said he saw a 6-foot, 200-pound Black person enter the home, followed by a voice sounding like Simpson's on the intercom, indicating he had overslept and would be down shortly. Both Kaelin and Park testified Simpson wanted to personally load a dark duffle bag or knapsack into the limousine, refusing help from Kaelin.

But Kaelin also contradicted his own testimony at times and was categorized by the prosecution as a "hostile witness, " an unusual maneuver that allowed district attorney Marcia Clark to ask leading questions, much like a cross examination, on her own witness.

Kaelin's offbeat personality — and perhaps his flowing blonde hair — brought him to a strange brand of celebrity during the televised trial. Though the fame didn't lead to major acting roles, he has since made a number of TV appearances, most recently on "Celebrity Big Brother" in 2019 and an installment of the "Sharknado" franchise in 2018.

Kato Kaelin has said in recent years he believes Simpson was guilty

Kaelin has said in the intervening years that he believes Simpson indeed killed Brown and Goldman , even though he doesn't have firsthand knowledge.

In a heartfelt statement he posted to Instagram after Simpson's death, Kaelin offered sympathy to Simpson's children and expressed "love and compassion" for members of the Goldman family as well as the family of Nicole, "a beacon of light that burned bright."

His Wisconsin sports fandom has continued, and it's a wild journey

Kaelin's fandom of Milwaukee sports teams can be categorized as … passionate.

His messages posted to Twitter often illustrate the high-intensity emotion of sports fandom. Take this recent subset of examples:

Kaelin regularly attends Wisconsin sporting events both inside the state and when they come to California. He even won the 50/50 raffle at American Family Field in 2017.

Toroidally focused ultrasonic flaw detectors

• Acoustic Methods
• Published: 28 July 2011
• Volume 47 , pages 308–310, ( 2011 )

Cite this article

• A. V. Shevelev 1 &
• Zh. V. Zatsepilova 2  

33 Accesses

Explore all metrics

New-type toroidally focused ultrasonic flaw detectors, whose application provides an appreciable increase in the flaw detection rate with retention of high sensitivity to flaws, are considered. The construction of a flaw detector is presented, the sizes of a gauge for the formation of the toroidal surface of a lens are given, and the technology of the manufacturing of a toroidal lens is described.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Price includes VAT (Russian Federation)

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Rent this article via DeepDyve

Institutional subscriptions

Similar content being viewed by others

Remote diagnostics of soft solids using nonlinear acoustic methods

A. I. Korobov, M. Yu. Izosimova, … N. I. Odina

Ultrasonic Flaw Detection: Adjustment and Calibration of Equipment Using Samples with Cylindrical Drilling

L. Yu. Mogilner & Ya. G. Smorodinskii

Analyzing the Phase of DFA Image for Determining the Type of Detected Reflector

E. G. Bazulin, A. Kh. Vopilkin, … D. S. Tikhonov

Ermolov, I.N., Aleshin, N.P., and Potapov, A.I., Nerazrushayushchii control’ (Nondestructive Testing), book 2: Akusticheskie metody kontrolya (Acoustic Testing), Moscow: Vysshaya shkola, 1991.

Google Scholar  

Nerazrushayushchii kontrol’ (Spravochnik) (Nondestructive Testing: Handbook), Klyuev, V.V., Ed., vol. 3: Ul’trazvukovoi kontrol’ (Ultrasonic Testing), Moscow: Mashinostroenie, 2006.

Download references

Author information

Authors and affiliations.

Elektrostal Polytechnic Institute, Branch of the National University of Science and Technology “MISIS”, ul. Pervomaiskaya 7, Elektrostal, Moscow oblast, 144000, Russia

A. V. Shevelev

Elektrostal Heavy Engineering Plant JSC, ul. Krasnaya 19, Elektrostal, Moscow oblast, 144005, Russia

Zh. V. Zatsepilova

You can also search for this author in PubMed   Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Zh. V. Zatsepilova .

Additional information

Original Russian Text © A.V. Shevelev, Zh.V. Zatsepilova, 2011, published in Defektoskopiya, 2011, Vol. 47, No. 5, pp. 19–22.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Shevelev, A.V., Zatsepilova, Z.V. Toroidally focused ultrasonic flaw detectors. Russ J Nondestruct Test 47 , 308–310 (2011). https://doi.org/10.1134/S1061830911050093

Download citation

Received : 14 January 2011

Published : 28 July 2011

Issue Date : May 2011

DOI : https://doi.org/10.1134/S1061830911050093

Share this article

Anyone you share the following link with will be able to read this content:

Sorry, a shareable link is not currently available for this article.

Provided by the Springer Nature SharedIt content-sharing initiative

• ultrasonic flaw detectors
• focusing lens
• flaw detection
• nondestructive testing
• inspection of pipes
• Find a journal
• Publish with us
• Track your research

• Victor Mukhin

Victor M. Mukhin was born in 1946 in the town of Orsk, Russia. In 1970 he graduated the Technological Institute in Leningrad. Victor M. Mukhin was directed to work to the scientific-industrial organization "Neorganika" (Elektrostal, Moscow region) where he is working during 47 years, at present as the head of the laboratory of carbon sorbents.     Victor M. Mukhin defended a Ph. D. thesis and a doctoral thesis at the Mendeleev University of Chemical Technology of Russia (in 1979 and 1997 accordingly). Professor of Mendeleev University of Chemical Technology of Russia. Scientific interests: production, investigation and application of active carbons, technological and ecological carbon-adsorptive processes, environmental protection, production of ecologically clean food.   

Title : Active carbons as nanoporous materials for solving of environmental problems

Quick links.

• Conference Brochure
• Tentative Program

Oregon State's Raegan Beers, others hit transfer portal after NCAA Tournament Elite 8 finish

This story was updated at 6:15 p.m. Thursday

The crown jewel of Oregon State women's basketball program and three other players announced their plans on Thursday to enter the transfer portal.

Forward Raegan Beers, who led the Beavers in scoring and rebounding all season, announced she was entering the transfer portal after "spending much time in prayer and discussion with my family and trusted mentors," she said in a post shared on X .

"I will never forget my time at OSU and I am thankful for the opportunity I had to meet and play with incredible people," Beers said in the post. "My journey as a Beav was a special one and I am grateful for my teammates, coaches, fans, and friends who changed my life throughout my time here."

According to a report from The Next, freshman guard Donovyn Hunter and sophomore guard Martha Pietsch have each opted to enter the portal. Sophomore guard Lily Hansford announced her intention to seek opportunities elsewhere.

The Beavers, who finished 27-8 and reached the Elite Eight of the NCAA Tournament this season , have now lost seven players to the portal. In addition to Beers, Hunter, Pietsch and Hansford, guards Talia von Oelhoffen and Adlee Blacklock, and forward Timea Gardiner have also entered the portal this month.

Hunter, a standout freshman who spent her prep career at South Medford High School, averaged 6.5 points and 2.5 rebounds in 27.8 minutes per game during the 2023-24 season. She started 34 of Oregon State's 35 games.

Hansford averaged 5.1 points and 1.9 rebounds in 34 games, including one start. Pietsch averaged 1.1 points and 1.5 rebounds in 11 games for the Beavers.

Jarrid Denney is the high school sports reporter for the Statesman Journal. He can be reached at [email protected] or on X @jarrid_denney

Saguaro catcher welcomed by baseball community after grueling journey from Venezuela

It took four months, crossing through several countries—some of it by foot—surviving on one meal a day, seeing people along the way who didn't make it.

Scottsdale Saguaro's 16-year-old sophomore catcher Alain Gudino-Gomez survived the move from Venezuela with his parents and 11-year-old sister to find a better life. A safer life, where he's been lovingly embraced by a baseball community, and catching maybe the best high school pitcher in America.

They got here in November, found an immigration attorney, and went through a process for Gudino-Gomez to be part of the Sabercats' team.

"For my sister and myself, it's to better our lives, so we can study here," Gudino-Gomez said through a translator before a recent game. "At first it was meeting people who spoke Spanish. But it's getting easier. I get along well with everyone."

More Saguaro sports news: Saguaro QB Mason Bray gets Arizona offer after death of dad, a former Wildcat standout

Early in the season, he had to get used to catching Cam Caminiti, a senior left-hander, who has all of Major League Baseball tracking every pitch he throws this season. In a game early in the season against Deer Valley, in which Caminiti struck out the first 16 batters, one of his 97 mph fastballs broke through the webbing of Gudino-Gomez's glove.

"He was catching me with a kid's glove," Caminiti said. "I broke right through that first game. But I got him a new glove. He's good there. But he's been a huge help for me. It's been tough with the English barrier. But growing up, I went to Pueblo (Elementary School, taking Spanish), so I speak a little bit of Spanish. So I can talk to him a little bit, which is good. He's a great kid. I love having him around."

Gudino-Gomez said he's gotten more comfortable over time catching Caminiti.

With the returning starter out with an injury, he's been asked to handle maybe the best trio of pitchers in the state with Caminiti, Cade Shumard (New Mexico State signee) and Billy Gregory (Grand Canyon), for the top-rated high school baseball team (16-3) in 4A.

Coming into his own on campus

Saguaro coach Joe Muecke said his school was fortunate to have Gudino-Gomez show up on campus.

"We feel like we've helped him as much as he's helped us," Muecke said. "He found a home here. It speaks volumes to our community, the outreach. There's amazing staff here, helping get him acclimated and assimilated in how things go. Every step of the way, watching the community rally around the family makes it special."

But it wasn't easy getting here.

The family set off together on a journey not knowing how they would wind up. They had to go through Central America, including Panama, then spent two months in Mexico, before crossing over into the United States and claiming asylum.

More high school sports news: ALA Gilbert North coach fired over decisions related to Preston Lord defendant

Gudino-Gomez and his family have been helped by a Phoenix bilingual attorney, Rene Siqueiros, who is navigating the family through the immigration process that can take years to resolve.

"There really is no 'quote unquote ' right way to do it, because the immigration laws here are so strict," Siqueiros said. "It's just so broken, as well. For individuals who have legitimate claims for asylum, like Alain and his parents, it's so difficult for them to get some sort of immigration relief."

Sigueiros said the family was detained by immigration officials as part of the process, and placed in deportation proceedings, but they have a right to fight it before an immigration judge.

"That's going to take quite a few years," Siquieros said. "As you can imagine, it's just packed. There's not enough resources as far as judges are involved in adjudicating these cases. It's going to take a few years. But I'm assisting them in that process."

Overcoming the daunting journey to get here

Gudino-Gomez's parents, Lislen and Joel, were able to get work authorization. His mom works as a dog groomer, his father runs a food truck. Both make it out to see him play baseball, supporting him through school. Academics is big for them, and he's succeeding there, too, as well as hitting .310 with 16 RBIs as a switch-hitter for the Sabercats.

But the road to get here was treacherous. They saw others who didn't make it.

"Muchos," Alain's father said.

They went from Venezuela to Columbia to Panama. They would spend five days on foot at times. Other times they would travel by bus, and also by canoe.

They had to cross rivers, mountains and rain forests.

"It was better than getting robbed by being in mountains," Alain's mother said through an interpreter.

They would eat one meal a day to save the food they packed with them. One of those meals would be a can of tuna among them. Alain was always in the lead when they walked for miles and miles.

"It was life or death," said Lislen, who speaks no English, through the interpreter about wanting to leave Venezuela. "There's an opportunity here. It's a better future."

Former Major League Baseball player David Segui, who has two sons playing for Arcadia's baseball team, helped with translating for the parents. Segui said it was the same reason why his dad came over from Cuba when he was a kid.

"It's for a better opportunity," Segui said.

Gudino-Gomez adjusting to English, life here with his teammates

Gudino-Gomez is working on his English. During the two months they spent in Mexico, he studied English, trying to grasp onto words.

"There was a teacher in English class that I took," he said through the translator. "I was building on that listening to new friends."

He said the hardest part of the journey was navigating the rain forests in Panama and Mexico. But he said they were blessed being able to buy food.

In Scottsdale, he became friends with sophomore shortstop Zander Bratspis.

"I try to help him out as much as I can," Bratspis said. "Whenever I'm training, I invite him to our house. I try to be the best friend I can for him, because they came over here not knowing anybody but some of his family. I try to be like family to him."

Dominic Caminiti, Cam's dad, has gotten to know Alain.

"The young man is special," Dominic said. "For Cam, Billy and Cade, Saguaro has got a catcher that will help showcase their skills on the mound. But more importantly a friend for life.

"There are so many beautiful things that happen in baseball that has zero to do with the score or the outcome of the game."

To suggest human-interest story ideas and other news, reach Obert at [email protected]  or 602-316-8827. Follow him on X, formerly Twitter: @azc_obert