Alchemy
It is clear that Freemasonry derives much of its symbolism from European art from between 1500 to 1700. This is the time that Astronomy was Astrology and Chemistry was Alchemy. Much of the symbolism has been derived from these sources around that time so there is little wonder that they share much of the same symbolism. Below is a selection of European Alchemical imagery from that period. There is no intent to prove or disprove a link, merely a wish to identify some of the potential source.
