ALETHIOMETER

An 'alethiometer' is a fictional device from Phillip Pullman's fantasy novel trilogy ''His Dark Materials'' which tells the truth. The word "alethiometer" comes from the Greek word ''aletheia'', meaning "truth", so "alethiometer" means "truth-measuring instrument". The resemblance of the device to a large compass caused the American publishers of the first book, originally entitled ''Northern Lights'', to retitle the book ''The Golden Compass''.^[1] It is described in Northern Lights thus:
The alethiometer is given to the leading character, Lyra Belacqua, by The Master of Jordan College. He tells her that it is a rare device, being one of only six ever made. He also explains its function to her, and says she'll have to learn how to use it by herself.
To use the alethiometer, the user directs three needles to lie over certain symbols on the face of device, and forms a question in his or her mind. The fourth needle then responds to the question, swinging over different symbols to form answers. Any given symbol may have numerous meanings. The user needs a special form of focus to make the alethiometer work. When the user has the three needles set and the question in mind, the fourth hand will begin to move, going through a sequence of movements over each symbol related to the answer, sometimes quivering to indicate the meaning (Lyra says that each symbols has various "rungs" of meaning), each quiver being one rung. The fourth arrow will continue to spin around and repeat the sequence until the user breaks their focus, and has to use the symbols to determine the answer. The compass provides its answers through the influence of Dust, or elementary particles called shadows (dark matter).
A scholar who has mastered the art of reading the alethiometer is referred to as an ''alethiometrist''; notable alethiometrists include The Master of Jordan College, Fra Pavel and Lyra, who is able to use it by intuition, rather than the many years of study normally required.
The 36 symbols and some of their meanings:
#'Hourglass', Time, ''Death, change''...
#'Sun', Day, ''Authority, truth''...
#'Alpha and Omega', Language, ''Process, words''...
#'Marionette', Obedience, ''Submission, grace''...
#'Serpent', Evil, ''Guile, natural wisdom''...
#'Cauldron (crucible)', Alchemy, ''Craft, achieved wisdom''...
#'Anchor', Hope, ''Steadfastness, prevention''...
#'Angel', Messenger, ''Hierarchy, disobedience''...
#'Helmet', War, ''Protection, narrow vision''...
#'Beehive', Productive work, ''Sweetness, light''...
#'Moon', Chastity, ''Mystery, the uncanny''...
#'Madonna', Motherhood, ''The feminine, worship''...
#'Apple', Sin, ''Knowledge, vanity''...
#'Bird', The soul (the dæmon), ''Spring, marriage''...
#'Bread', Nourishment, ''Christ, sacrifice''...
#'Ant', Mechanical work, ''Diligence, tedium''...
#'Bull', Earth, ''Power, honesty''...
#'Candle', Meaning, ''Understanding, learning''...
#'Cornucopia', Wealth, ''Autumn, hospitality''...
#'Chameleon', Air, ''Greed, patience''...
#'Thunderbolt', Inspiration, ''Fate, anger''...
#'Dolphin', Water, ''Resurrection, playfulness''...
#'Walled Garden', Nature, ''Innocence, order''...
#'Globe', Politics, ''Sovereignty, fame''...
#'Sword', Justice, ''Fortitude, the Church''...
#'Griffin', Treasure, ''Watchfulness, courage''...
#'Horse', Europe, ''Journeys, fidelity''...
#'Camel', Asia, ''Summer, perseverance''...
#'Elephant', Africa, ''Charity, continence''...
#'Crocodile (caiman)', America, ''Rapacity, enterprise''...
#'Baby', The future, ''Malleability, helplessness''...
#'Compass', Measurement, ''Mathematics, science''...
#'Lute', Poetry, ''Rhetoric, philosophy''...
#'Tree', Firmness, ''Shelter, fertility''...
#'Wild man', Wild man, ''The Masculine, lust''...
#'Owl', Night, ''Winter, fear''...

Contents

References

External links

References

1. Philip Pullman later explained the mix-up in a quotation that can be found on this fan site.

External links

★ http://www.bridgetothestars.net/index.php?d=encyclopaedia&p=alethiometer

★ http://neonavis.com/neonavis/#anchaleth