The Bestiary

SALAMANDER

Salamandra

The Salamander lives in fire as a fish lives in water. It is so cold that flames cannot harm it; indeed, it extinguishes fire by its presence. Asbestos cloth was thought to be woven from Salamander wool, for it too resists flame. The real salamander, a small amphibian, hides in logs; when the logs are burned, it emerges from the flames, giving rise to the legend. The Salamander represents faith that survives trials, virtue tested by fire and found pure. Alchemists sought the Salamander's secret, hoping to work metal without fuel. The Salamander teaches that some souls cannot be consumed by the flames that destroy others.