u/freddyPowell

There is a certain philosopher I am reading who seems to be quite reliant on the being/becoming distinction, and I'm trying to put him in context. Does anyone know how I could find out more about this? He was writing in Germany around the time of Heidegger.

It is relatively well known that Aqua Regia, a mixture of sulphuric and nitric acids that can dissolve gold, was referred to, in certain alchemical texts, as a green lion (and its dissolving of gold as the green lion devouring the sun). Were there any similar symbols, particularly as an animal, of Aqua Fortis, that is nitric acid?

Edit: also, symbols representative of mercury would be appreciated.