Master Geng

Master Geng (Chinese: 耿先生; pinyin: Gěng Xiānshēng; Wade–Giles: Kêng3 Hsien1-shêng1, fl. c. 975) was a Chinese alchemist,[1] and the daughter of Geng Qian.[2] Legend says that during her adolescence, she already demonstrated her intelligence, curiosity, and developed skills in the alchemical arts.[3] Eventually, her skills drew the attention of emperor Xuanzong, who invited her to the palace.[1] Within the palace, rather than being counted as one of the palace women, she was honoured as a scholar, and given the title Master (or Teacher).[2] Whenever she had an audience, she spoke confidently and eloquently, always wearing green robes.[3] She is described as performing alchemical transformations, as well as dabbling in divination.[3] Most of her alchemy focused on creating silver, and tales tell of her ability to use mercury to turn even snow into silver. [4] This, some modern chemists have proposed, might be an example of a legitimate chemical process in which mercury is used to extract silver from ores.[1] She may have also distilled perfumes, and utilized an early form of the Soxhlet process to extract camphor into alcohol.[1][4] In her personal life, Geng was noted as enjoying wine, and romantic and sexual dalliances.[3]

Notes and references

  1. ^ a b c d Rayner-Canham, Marelene F.; Rayner-Canham, Marelene; Rayner-Canham, Geoffrey (2001). Women in Chemistry: Their Changing Roles from Alchemical Times to the Mid-twentieth Century. Chemical Heritage Foundation. pp. 4–5. ISBN 9780941901277.
  2. ^ a b Meschel, S. V. (September 1992). "Teacher Keng's heritage: A survey of Chinese women scientists". Journal of Chemical Education. 69 (9): 723. Bibcode:1992JChEd..69..723M. doi:10.1021/ed069p723. ISSN 0021-9584.
  3. ^ a b c d Little, Stephen; Eichman, Shawn; Shipper, Kristofer; Ebrey, Patricia Buckley (2000-01-01). Taoism and the Arts of China. University of California Press. ISBN 978-0-520-22785-9.
  4. ^ a b Maxwell-Stuart, P. G. (2012-03-01). The Chemical Choir: A History of Alchemy. A&C Black. p. 13. ISBN 9781441132970.


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