Emphasizing its opposition to water, the alchemical sign for water is the sign of fire inverted and can signify a cup ready to receive water. It is lunar rather than solar. When the two opposing symbols are interlocked, the union of the contrasting elements of fire and water is attained, creating “fluid fire” or “fiery water.” Alchemists considered the elemental pairs of triangles as representing the forma (essence) and material (sub-stance), and hence the spirit and soul of everything in existence. The element of water symbolized by a water snake and the heart in a three dimensional representation of the icon of fire: an inverted triangle.