It is recognized by everyone and serves as a standard of reference in exchanges, just as does silver, to which it is however superior. It symbolizes excellence and authenticity. It is said in French that someone is 'as genuine as gold'. Thus it becomes the symbol of purity and truth. So to offer someone gold, e.g. in the form of jewellery, means to express one's esteem and support.
Material gold is, then, only a symbol.
To speak of the transmutation of baser metals into gold is therefore the symbolic way of teaching the art of self-purification. The same holds good for youth and immortality which have little meaning at the physical level. The consciousness of the human being thus sanctified is continually renewed, resulting in freshness in his inner and outer attitude to life. He seems to enjoy a youthfulness which is independent of the outer conditions of his existence. Indeed, such a being is united with his own spiritual Soul which is identical with the Eternal Universal Soul.