Transmutation circle

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Transmutation circles could be as simple as merely a square inscribed within a circle or as complex as this human transmutation circle.

"The basic strength of a transmutation circle is the nature of the shape itself. The circle represents the circulation of power. By drawing it, that power can be evoked. By understanding this circulation of power and the laws that govern it, you can harness it for yourself. And one who works within this system of flow to create new things, that is the true alchemist..." — Izumi Curtis, Fullmetal Alchemist, episode 27.

Transmutation circles are a fictional element of the anime series Fullmetal Alchemist. They are used for alchemy, and in most cases, are required in order to perform a transmutation.

[edit] Usage

The function of a transmutation circle is analogous to what a catalyst does in a chemical reaction. Because they are not consumed in the transmutation, they can be used repeatedly, and are often worn on items of clothing or as tattoos so that they do not have to be drawn for each new transmutation. Such is the case with Roy Mustang, who uses gloves made of a fictional material called ignition cloth to create a spark when he snaps his fingers; by having a circle drawn on the glove he is able to use alchemy to increase the oxygen concentration in the air and create flames, or even an explosion. In many cases, transmutation circles that are on gloves, or tattooed on hands, require the alchemist to clap his or her hands together in order to initiate the reaction, while people with alchemically-adorned bracelets, pendants, or gauntlets may perform any of a number of different movements, depending on the article itself.

Typically, in accordance with equivalent exchange, the alchemist puts the matter which he wants to transmute in front of, or inside the circle, or simply draws the circle where the transmutation is to take place.

[edit] Energy for transmutations

Although a transmutation circle acts as a catalyst, it is not a source of energy, so the energy required to perform the transmutation must come from elsewhere. Although some of the energy used to start the alchemical reaction is produced by the alchemist himself, it is revealed later in the anime series that the alchemist and the transmutation circle alone cannot account for all of the energy used during a transmutation, and that the energy must come from elsewhere. On the other side of "The Gate" there lies a parallel universe, which is devoid of alchemy, and which represents our own world during World War I during the series. But during the movie it takes place just before World War II during the Beer Hall Putsch in 1923 and the economic collapse after WWI (One character mentions how a mark isn't worth anything). When people die in this parallel world, their souls travel through The Gate and supply the energy used in alchemy to decompose and rebuild matter in Edward Elric's world. The vast amount of people dying during the war provided lots of energy for Alchemy.

One point of arguments people may have is if there is a lack of deaths on the other side, if there are no people dying, what happens to the alchemy, etc.

[edit] Alchemy without transmutation circles

Some people, like the main character, Edward Elric are able to perform a transmutation without drawing a transmutation circle. Instead, he makes a complete "circle" when he claps his hands together. He is able to do this because, in his attempts to resurrect his mother, he saw the inside of "The Gate," which contains knowledge of everything, including the greatest secrets of alchemy. Other characters who have seen The Gate, and thus possess the ability to use alchemy without a transmutation circle, include Izumi Curtis and Hohenheim.

[edit] Types of Transmutation Circles

Gate Array: A rather complex(Possibly 6 point array) used for opening the gate. It's used on the floor of Professor Haushoffer's villa by Echart in the movie which Ed completes and uses by mistake.

[edit] Inscriptions

Some transmutation circles seen in the series have not only lines and alchemical symbols, but text written on them, as well. For example, the complex human transmutation array that is pictured on the top of this page, and displayed on all of Funimation's series DVDs, bears the English inscription:

The peacock's feathers in bright colors, the rainbow in the sky above,

The spotted panther, the green lion, the crow and beak, blue as lead,

These shall appear before you in perfect white,

Pale white and black with false citrine, imperfect white and red,

After the perfect white follows the grey,

And after these shall appear the substance

The excerpt is taken from 15th century alchemist George Ripley's The Compound of Alchymy (also known as the Twelve Gates). ^[1]

This can be translated into an alchemical procedure indicating different reactions occurring before the final transmutation is completed.

[edit] Possible inspiration

The transmutation circles used in Fullmetal Alchemist are very similar to "magic circles" used in magical texts like the Key of Solomon.

This is one of many "magic circles" from the Key of Solomon.

[edit] References

[edit] See also

• Sigil (magic)

[edit] External links

• Fullmetal Alchemist Indepth: Alchemy - An incomplete list of the transmutation circles and alchemical symbols seen in the anime series.

• [1]- George Ripley's The Compound of Alchymy (also known as the Twelve Gates) can be read here.