Prima Materia, or "First Matter," is the foundational substance in alchemy, believed to be the origin of all creation. It represents raw potential and the formless essence from which everything in the universe is derived. Alchemists sought to harness Prima Materia as the starting point for transformation and the creation of the Philosopher's Stone.
This concept has roots in ancient Greek philosophy, particularly the works of Aristotle, who referred to a "prime matter" underlying all physical forms. In alchemy, Prima Materia was as much a spiritual concept as a physical one, embodying the alchemist's search for unity and balance in nature.