What Are The Omens In The Alchemist

Omens come in many different forms, shapes and sizes. They can be living or inanimate objects. If you’re not looking close enough, you might not be able to see them or chose to believe they are actually there. In Paulo Coelho’s novel The Alchemist, Santiago discovers many omens on his personal legend journey such as the King of Salem, Stones and the Crystal Merchant. All of these people and objects helped guide Santiago through his journey to get to the pyramids. When Santiago first meets the King of Salem, he is inspiring Santiago to pursue his personal legend. The King says, “In order to find the treasure, you will have to follow the omens. God has prepared a path for everyone to follow. You just have to read the omens that he left for you” (29). The King, is actually an omen himself. He was put in Santiago’s path so he could start to realize what omens are. If the King had never told Santiago about omens, he would have remained where he is comfortable as a sheep herder. The King of Salem also reminds Santiago that everyone should pursue their personal legends. After Santiago had been distracted of the the items in the thieves village with no money, he checks his bag and finds the two stones, Urim and Thummin, the narrator says, “An omen. The boy smiled to himself. He picked up two stones and

The Crystal Merchant tells the boy that more customers came into the shop since he started working there. The merchant tells him that this is a good omen and Santiago finally starts to that omens factor into his personal legend. Santiago thinks to himself, “People talk a lot about omens, thought the shepherd. But they really don’t know what they’re saying. Just as I hadn’t realized that for so many years I had been speaking a language without words to my sheep” (46). Santiago realizes that he finally has a place and that he is supposed to be following his Personal