The chemical symbol for gold is Au, taken from the Latin word aurum.
Gold is a chemical element with atomic number 79. It is a dense, shiny, yellow metal that resists corrosion and tarnishing, properties that have made it valuable for ornaments, coins, scientific equipment, and electronics.
The symbol Au does not match the English word “gold” because many element symbols preserve names from Latin or other historical languages. Silver, for example, is Ag from argentum, while iron is Fe from ferrum. These older forms reflect the long history of metalworking and alchemy.
Gold occurs naturally in rocks and alluvial deposits, where it can be separated from sediment because of its high density. It is also extremely malleable and ductile: a small amount can be beaten into thin leaf or drawn into fine wire. Gold’s scarcity, durability, and cultural importance have made it a recurring basis for money and a powerful symbol of wealth.