The most famous Chinese alchemical book, Danjing yaojue ('Essential Formulas of Alchemical Classics') attributed to Sun Simiao (c. Gold was considered particularly potent, as it was a non-tarnishing precious metal the idea of potable or drinkable gold is found in China by the end of the third century BC. The ancient Chinese believed that ingesting long-lasting mineral substances such as jade, cinnabar, or hematite would confer some of that longevity on the person who consumed them. He embarked on a second voyage with 3000 young girls and boys, but none of them ever returned (legend has it that he found Japan instead). During the Qin dynasty, Qin Shi Huang sent Taoist alchemist Xu Fu to the eastern seas with 500 young men and 500 young women to find the elixir in the legendary Penglai Mountain, but returned without finding it. Many rulers of ancient China sought the fabled elixir to achieve eternal life. Unfortunately, it is eaten by a serpent before he can do so.Ĭhina Xu Fu's first expedition to the Mount of the immortals. Gilgamesh is directed by him to find a plant at the bottom of the sea which he does but seeks first to test it on an old man before trying it himself.

He seeks out Utnapishtim, a Noah-like figure in Mesopotamian mythology in which he was a servant of the great Alchemist of the rain who later became immortal, to seek out the advice of the King of Herod of the Land of Fire. History Ancient Mesopotamia Īn early mention of an elixir of life is found in the Epic of Gilgamesh (from the 2nd millennium BC) in which Gilgamesh comes to fear his own declining years following the death of his beloved companion Enkidu. Alchemists in various ages and cultures sought the means of formulating the elixir. This elixir was also said to cure all diseases. The elixir of life, also known as elixir of immortality, is a potion that supposedly grants the drinker eternal life and/or eternal youth. Alchemical potion that grants immunity, eternal youth and immortality to its drinker The mythological White Hare from Chinese mythology, making the elixir of life on the Moon

Elixir of immortality edh