Alethiometer
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In the Philip Pullman trilogy of novels His Dark Materials, an alethiometer is a device that tells the truth. The word comes from the Greek words for truth and measure.
To use the alethiometer, the user directs three needles to lie over certain symbols on the face of device, and to form a question in their mind. The fourth needle then responds to the question, swinging over different symbols to form answers. Any given symbol may have numerous meanings. The compass provides its answers through the influence of Dust, or elementary particles called shadows.
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 only one of six ever made. Lyra soon finds herself able to use it by intuition, rather than the many years of study normally required.
The resemblance of the device to a large compass caused the American publishers of the first book entitled Northern Lights to retitle the book The Golden Compass. Philip Pullman later explained the mix-up in a quotation that can be found on this [fan site]
The 36 symbols and some of their meanings:
- Hourglass, Time, Death, change...
- Sun, Day, Authority, truth...
- Alpha and Omega, Finality, Process, inevitability...
- 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, Fire, Faith, 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...
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