In this interpretation, transmutation of lead into gold is presented as an analogy for personal transmutation, purification, and perfection.
ɪn ðɪs ɪntˌɜːpɹɪtˈeɪʃən, tɹænsmjuːtˈeɪʃən ʌv lˈiːd ˌɪntʊ ɡˈoʊld ɪz pɹɪzˈɛntᵻd æz ɐn ɐnˈælədʒi fɔːɹ pˈɜːsənəl tɹænsmjuːtˈeɪʃən, pjˌʊɹɹɪfɪkˈeɪʃən, ænd pɚfˈɛkʃən.