The Chymical Wedding of Christian Rosenkreutz (German: Chymische Hochzeit Christiani Rosencreutz anno 1459) is a German book published in 1616 in Strasbourg. The author is unknown, but it is often credited to Johann Valentin Andreae. This book is considered one of the three original important documents from the secret group called the "Fraternity of the Rose Cross" (Rosicrucians). However, it differs in style and subject from the other two documents, Fama Fraternitatis and Confessio Fraternitatis.

As one of the three key Rosicrucian documents, this book inspired groups such as the Order of the Golden and Rosy Cross (1750s–1790s) and the Societas Rosicruciana in Anglia (1865–present).

The book is an allegorical story divided into seven parts, or seven journeys, similar to the book of Genesis. It tells how Christian Rosenkreuz is invited to a magical castle filled with wonders to help with the "Chymical Wedding" of a king and queen, symbolizing a union of spiritual and physical elements.

This document has inspired poets, alchemists, and others because of its symbolic journey, which includes tests, purifications, death, resurrection, and ascension. The story also uses symbols, such as the one described by John Dee in his 1564 book, Monas Hieroglyphica.

The story shares similarities with parts of the Bible. Though the book was first published in 1616, the events in the story are said to have happened 150 years earlier. The story spans seven days, each described in a chapter. It begins near Easter and ends on Easter Day, 1459, the same year the Freemasons of Strasbourg signed their first constitution in Regensburg. The Gutenberg Bible was printed in Mainz, Germany, in 1455, and the first German Bible, the Mentel Bible, was printed in Strasbourg in 1466.

The story follows the Jewish tradition of Passover and the seven days of unleavened bread. The story begins in the evening near Easter, just as the Passover lamb is slaughtered and prepared. In the first chapter, Christian Rosenkreuz is shown sitting at a table with both the Passover lamb and unleavened bread. This suggests he may have been Jewish. However, the phrase "Father of Lights" appears in the first paragraph. This phrase is found only once in the King James Bible, in the book of James (James 1:17). Below is the opening paragraph of The Chymical Wedding:

The four paths

In the second chapter, Rosenkreutz sits to rest under three tall cedar trees. One of the trees has a tablet attached to it, which describes four paths. An important detail is that the Bridegroom (Bible) is the one offering these paths. The tablet reads as follows:

The first path leads to rocky places, similar to Peter, who is called "the rock" in the synoptic gospels (Matthew, Mark, and Luke). The second path is connected to the gospel of John. Rosenkreutz is told not to turn left or right on this path. The gospel of John is the only one that does not mention two men crucified beside Jesus on the cross (John 20:18). The third path refers to the general letters written by Peter, James, Jude, and John. In the letter of James, there is a reference to the "royal way" or "royal law" (James 2:8). In the second letter of Peter, there is a mention of "one in a thousand" (2 Peter 3:8). The fourth path is the letters written by Paul. These letters include teachings about the dead being raised "incorruptible" (1 Corinthians 15:52) and the only use of the word "consuming" in the New Testament (Hebrews 12:29).

The story continues: "Whereupon I presently drew out my bread and cut a slice of it." It is important to note that after reading the tablet, Rosenkreutz cuts the bread. Symbol XXIV from the symbols of Pythagoras states, "Never break the bread." Bread is broken in the gospels of Mark, Luke, and Matthew, but not in the gospel of John. Bread is also broken in the letters of Paul and the Book of Acts, but not in the general letters of Peter, James, Jude, and John. As the story continues, it becomes clear that Rosenkreutz took the second path, as shown by the words, "yet I still proceeded with my compass, and would not budge one step from the Meridian Line." This means Rosenkreutz did not turn left or right. It is also worth noting that Rosenkreutz says, "I patiently took up my cross, got up onto my feet." Only in the gospel of John does Jesus bear the cross. In the gospels of Mark, Luke, and Matthew, Simon of Cyrene is the one who carries the cross for Jesus.

The Nine Lords

The Nine Lords are nine books found in the New Testament: I Peter, II Peter, James, Jude, I John, II John, III John, the Gospel of John, and the Revelation. Rosenkreutz believed that the Gospel of John is the only gospel that is based on real events, and that the way the Gospel of John describes unleavened bread and the Passover is different from the other Gospels. The Nine Lords were gathered together with the others who were at the table (27 total), and Rosenkreutz cried.

Historical context

The book The Chymical Wedding of Christian Rosenkreutz was first published in Strasbourg in 1616. It was written in German and called Chymische Hochzeit Christiani Rosencreutz anno 1459. The book did not list an author, except for Christian Rosenkreutz. However, Johannes Valentinus Andreae (1586–1654) said in his own life story that he wrote the book. The first English version came out in 1690, written by Ezechiel Foxcroft. Later, the book was translated into many other languages over time.

Although the book was published in 1616, the story takes place more than 150 years earlier. The events in the story happen over seven days and are divided into seven chapters, with each chapter describing events from one day. The story begins on an evening close to Easter. In the final chapter—the seventh day—Rosenkreutz is given a title of honor. This event is said to take place in the year 1459. The Constitutions of the Freemasons of Strasbourg were first signed in Regensburg in 1459, with another signed later in Strasbourg. The Gutenberg Bible began printing in Mainz, Germany, in 1455. The first Bible printed in German, the Mentel Bible, was made in Strasbourg in 1466.