Table of contents:

 

Priory of Sion

Historical Background:

The Priory of Sion is said to have been founded in 1099 during the First Crusade. Its emblem, partly based on the fleur-de-lis, symbolizes its connection to French royalty.

Role in the Plot:

The Priory is central to the plot of “The Da Vinci Code.” Robert Langdon and Sophie Neveu follow a series of clues left by the murdered curator Jacques Saunière, who was a member of the Priory. These clues lead them on a quest to uncover the truth about the Holy Grail.

Fiction vs. Reality:

In reality, the Priory of Sion is widely considered a modern hoax. Pierre Plantard created the organization in 1956, and the documents claiming its ancient origins and connection to famous historical figures were later proven to be forgeries.

Conspiracy Theories:

The novel leverages existing conspiracy theories about secret societies and hidden knowledge. The Priory is depicted as part of a larger web of intrigue involving the Catholic Church and the suppression of alternative religious histories.

Cultural Impact:

The portrayal of the Priory of Sion in “The Da Vinci Code” has significantly influenced popular culture. It sparked renewed interest in secret societies and the myths surrounding the Holy Grail. Despite the fictional nature of the book, many readers have been captivated by its blending of historical fact and fiction.

 

Opus Dei

In Dan Brown’s novel “The Da Vinci Code,” Opus Dei is depicted as a secretive and controversial Catholic organization, involved in unethical and criminal activities. It is a profoundly devout Catholic sect that has recently been the subject of controversy due to reports of brainwashing, coercion, and a potentially lethal practice known as corporal mortification.

Opus Dei is portrayed as a conservative force within the Catholic Church, promoting traditional values and suppressing alternative viewpoints. It is also rumored that the organization has a substantial presence within the Vatican, giving it considerable influence over Church policy and decision-making. In the novel, Opus Dei murders all of Priory of Sion’s Grandmasters.

Portrayal in the Novel:

Opus Dei members are shown engaging in extreme actions, including committing murder, lying, and drugging people, suggesting that they are willing to go to extreme lengths to protect their secrets and achieve their goals, which paints the organization in a highly negative light. The most notable character from Opus Dei in the novel is Silas, an albino monk who acts as an assassin.

Criticism and Controversy:

The novel’s depiction of Opus Dei has been heavily criticized by the organization and its members. They argue that the portrayal is inaccurate and unfair, particularly the suggestion that Opus Dei has monks, which it does not.

Impact on Public Perception:

The sensational portrayal in “The Da Vinci Code” has contributed to a widespread but misleading perception of Opus Dei as a sinister and dangerous secret society.

Reality vs. Fiction:

In reality, Opus Dei is a recognized personal prelature of the Catholic Church, founded in 1928 by Josemaría Escrivá. It focuses on helping laypeople and priests seek personal sanctity through their everyday lives. The organization emphasizes the integration of faith and work, aiming to promote holiness in ordinary activities.

 

The cilice belt

 

 

Knight Templars

When the Priory of Sion determined that the Holy Grail must be recovered from the ruins beneath the Temple of Solomon and preserved for future generations, it ensured that the truth would never perish. In order to retrieve the documents from the ruins, the Priory established a military wing consisting of nine knights known as the Order of the Poor Knights of Christ and the Temple of Solomon, or more commonly as the Knights Templar.

The Knights believed that the Priory’s desired documents were buried beneath the Holy of Holies, a sacrosanct chamber where God was believed to reside. Literally, the core of the Jewish religion.

During the Second Crusade, knights were in the Holy Land and informed King Baldwin II that they were there to defend Christian pilgrims on the roads. Although unpaid and sworn to poverty, the Knights informed the monarch that they required basic shelter and requested permission to reside in the stables beneath the temple ruins. King Baldwin acceded to the soldiers’ request, and the Knights established a meagre residence within the ruined shrine.

Under the pretence of protecting pilgrims, the Templars carried out their mission. The nine Knights resided in the ruins for nearly a decade, excavating in complete secrecy through solid rock. The knights had discovered what they had been seeking. They removed the treasure from the temple and journeyed to Europe, where their influence appeared to be solidified overnight. They achieved wealth and influence beyond anyone’s wildest dreams.

Nobody knew for sure if the Knights had threatened the Vatican or if the Church had merely tried to buy the silence of the Knights, but Pope Innocent II immediately issued a historic papal bull that granted the Knights Templar unlimited power and proclaimed them “a law unto themselves”—an independent army free from interference from kings and prelates, both religious and political.

The Knights Templar increased at an astounding rate after receiving their new licence from the Vatican, becoming a powerful political force and acquiring huge estates in over a dozen nations. They started offering credit to bankrupt royals and charging interest in return, starting modern banking and further increasing their riches and power.

By the 1300s, the Knights had amassed so much power that Pope Clement V felt that something had to be done. Working with France’s King Philippe IV, the Pope devised an ingenious sting operation to eliminate the Templars and seize their treasure, thereby seizing control of the Vatican’s secrets. On Friday, October 13, 1307, Pope Clement sent secret sealed orders to be opened simultaneously by his soldiers all across Europe in a military manoeuvre.

The documents were unsealed at dawn on the thirteenth, revealing their heinous contents. In his letter, Clement claimed that God had shown to him in a vision and informed him that the Knights Templar were heretics who practised devil worship, homosexuality, defiling the cross, sodomy, and other blasphemous behaviour. God had asked Pope Clement to purify the globe by gathering all the Knights and torturing them until they confessed their crimes against God. Clement’s Machiavellian scheme went down without a hitch. On that day, countless Knights were apprehended, brutally tortured, and finally burnt at the stake as heretics. The tragedy’s echoes might still be heard in current culture; Friday the thirteenth is still considered unlucky.

Despite Clement’s false accusations and best efforts to eliminate them, the Knights had important allies, and several escaped the Vatican purges. Clement’s ultimate goal was the Templars’ tremendous treasure trove of records, which had seemingly been their source of power, but it slipped through his fingers. The documents had long been entrusted to the Priory of Sion, the Templars’ mysterious architects, whose veil of secrecy had kept them safe from the Vatican’s onslaught. As the Vatican closed in, the Priory smuggled documents from a Paris preceptory into Templar ships in La Rochelle at night.

Because the documents are still the subject of ongoing investigation and speculation, they are thought to have been moved and rehidden several times. The documents are currently thought to be in the United Kingdom. Legends about this mystery have been passed down for a thousand years. Sangreal is the term given to the complete collection of documents, its power, and the mystery it reveals.

Temple Church

Temple Church is a historic and captivating architectural gem located in London. It’s origins date back to the 12th century when it was built by the Knights Templar, a medieval Christian military order. Its architectural style combines elements of Romanesque and Gothic design, creating a unique and striking appearance. Once the epicenter of all Templar/Priory activities in the United Kingdom, the Temple Church had been so named in honor of Solomon’s Temple, from which the Knights Templar had extracted their own title, as well as the Sangreal documents that gave them all their influence in Rome. Tales abounded of knights performing strange, secretive rituals within the Temple Church’s unusual sanctuary.

The church’s exterior features intricate stone carvings, elaborate arches, and a distinct round shape that sets it apart from traditional church structures.

Inside Temple Church, visitors are greeted by a serene and atmospheric environment. The circular nave, adorned with beautiful stained glass windows and soaring pillars, exudes a sense of grandeur and spiritual tranquility. The church’s historical and cultural significance is palpable within its walls, transporting visitors back in time to an era of knights and crusaders.

 

The Louvre Museum (Musée du Louvre)

The Louvre Museum, located in Paris, France, is one of the most famous and most visited museums in the world. It represents France’s cultural legacy as well as creative quality. This museum was established in the late 12th century as a fortress and was later turned into a royal residence in the 16th century. The museum houses nearly 35,000 works of art ranging from prehistoric antiquity to the twenty-first century, including well-known masterpieces such as the Mona Lisa, the Winged Victory of Samothrace, and the Venus de Milo. The Louvre was Europe’s longest edifice, shaped like a massive horseshoe. You can walk the whole perimeter of the Louvre, a three-mile excursion.

Egyptian antiquities, Greek and Roman antiquities, decorative arts, paintings, and sculptures are all represented at the Louvre Museum. The museum also contains a large collection of Islamic art and Middle Eastern artefacts.

The Louvre Museum, in addition to its permanent collections, presents various temporary exhibitions throughout the year, showing works by both well-known and rising artists.

The glass pyramid, the new grand entrance to the Louvre museum, had become almost as famous as the museum itself. I.M. Pei, a Chinese-born American architect, designed it and completed it in 1989.

The pyramid is composed of 603 diamond-shaped glass panels and is built in such a way that it appears translucent, allowing light to enter into the underground lobby below. It measures 21.6 meters (71 ft) tall and is made of glass and steel.

The pyramid is not only beautiful, but it also serves a utilitarian purpose. The underground space beneath the pyramid is home to the museum’s ticket offices, stores, and restaurants, as well as entrance to the museum’s numerous sections.

The pyramid was a contentious addition to the Louvre when it was originally exhibited, as many people felt it contrasted with the Louvre’s traditional architecture. However, it has become an iconic emblem of the museum and a popular visitor destination over time, and it is frequently used as a backdrop for photography and films.

Louvre Inverted Pyramid (La Pyramide Inversée)

The Louvre Inverted Pyramid is a skylight built in the Carrousel du Louvre, an underground shopping mall in front of the Louvre Museum in Paris, France. It can be compared to a smaller, upside-down version of the more famous Louvre Glass Pyramid.

In 1993, architect I.M. Pei created the Inverted Pyramid. The inverted pyramidal design in laminated glass points downward towards the floor and is composed of a 13.3-metre (44-foot) square steel caisson structure weighing 30 tones. The pyramid’s glass is 10 millimeters thick, whereas the glass above the pyramid at courtyard (ground) level, which must withstand pedestrian weight, is 30 millimeters thick. The pyramid’s apex is suspended 4.6 feet above the ground. A little stone pyramid is stationed on the floor directly beneath the tip of the downward-pointing glass pyramid, as though mimicking the larger construction above; the tips of the two pyramids almost meet.

bladeThe protagonist of “The Da Vinci Code,” Robert Langdon, reads esoteric symbolism into the two pyramids in the novel “The Da Vinci Code”: The Inverted Pyramid is seen as a Chalice, a feminine symbol, while the stone pyramid beneath is interpreted as a Blade, a masculine symbol; the entire construction may thus represent the union of the sexes. Furthermore, Brown’s protagonist comes to the conclusion that the tiny stone pyramid is simply the apex of a larger pyramid (perhaps the same size as the inverted pyramid above), embedded in the floor as a secret chamber. This chamber is thought to house Mary Magdalene’s body. However, the smaller stone pyramid does not serve as the tip of a greater pyramid. It can be moved.

 

King’s College

King’s College, founded in 1829 under the patronage of King George IV, is home to its Department of Theology and Religious Studies. The department is conveniently located near Parliament on land provided by the Crown. In addition to its long-standing reputation of 150 years in teaching and research, King’s College’s Religion Department is proud to have established the Research Institute in Systematic Theology in 1982. This institute houses one of the most comprehensive and technologically advanced religious research libraries worldwide, offering valuable resources to scholars and researchers in the field.

In Dan Brown’s “The Da Vinci Code,” King’s College Library plays a significant role in the story. Robert Langdon and Sophie Neveu visit King’s College Library, specifically the Maughan Library, in their quest to decode the clues left by the murdered curator, Jacques Saunière. They go to the King’s College Library to research and find connections that will help them unravel the mystery they are investigating.

In the library, they receive help from the librarian, who is described as a “kindly soul.” The visit to King’s College Library allows Langdon and Neveu to piece together important historical and symbolic clues that lead them closer to solving the central mystery of the novel.

 

Church of Saint-Sulpice, Paris

Saint-Sulpice, a masterpiece of French architecture, dates back to the 17th century. This grand church is the second-largest in Paris. Its grandeur and historical significance make it an ideal setting for the novel’s mysterious and secretive atmosphere. In the novel, the church’s gnomon, a scientific instrument used to determine the date of Easter, is depicted as part of the secret trail left by the Priory of Sion. The gnomon is a brass line inlaid on the floor, and the obelisk is highlighted as part of this ancient astronomical device.

In Dan Brown’s “The Da Vinci Code,” the albino monk Silas plays a significant role in the events that unfold at the Church of Saint-Sulpice in Paris. Following orders from his mentor, known as the Teacher, Silas seeks the keystone, a crucial element in the search for the Holy Grail.

Silas arrives at Saint-Sulpice and makes his way inside the grand church, driven by his mission to find the keystone.

Inside the church, Silas encounters the gnomon. He believes that this instrument holds a secret related to the Holy Grail. In his desperation and commitment, Silas breaks a floor tile, expecting to find a hidden compartment containing the keystone.

Sister Sandrine, a custodian of the church, confronts Silas. When Silas discovers Sister Sandrine’s connection to the Priory of Sion, he murders her in a fit of rage.

Silas ultimately realizes that the information he seeks is not at Saint-Sulpice.

 

The Rose Line

A strip of brass at Saint-Sulpice Church divides the sanctuary into perfect north-south sections. It resembled an old sundial in several ways. Every day, as time passed from one solstice to the next, the sun’s rays, visible through the small oculus on the south wall, travelled further down the line.

The Rose Line was the previous name for this north-south line. The rose has long been a representation of a map, pointing souls in the right direction. The primary navigational instrument is still referred to as a compass rose, and it still has an arrowhead pointing in the northernmost direction.

On a globe, a rose line was any imagined line drawn from the North Pole to the South Pole. This line was also called a meridian or longitude. There were an infinite number of Rose Lines because a longitude could be drawn through every point on the world to connect the north and south poles. Early navigators had to decide which of these lines would be called the “Rose Line,” or “zero longitude,” because it would be the line from which all other longitudes on earth would be measured.

Today, that line was in Greenwich, England. But that wasn’t always the case. Long before Greenwich became the prime meridian, the zero longitude of the whole world went right through Paris and the Church of Saint-Sulpice. The metal marker in Saint-Sulpice was a tribute to the world’s first prime meridian. Greenwich took the honoinr away from Paris in 1888, but the original Rose Line can still be seen today.

 

 

The keystone

n Dan Brown’s novel “The Da Vinci Code,” the keystone is described as a vital artifact created by the Priory of Sion, designed to reveal the location of the Holy Grail. It symbolizes the connection between the past and the present, guiding the search for hidden knowledge. It is said to be an engraved stone tablet that serves as a map or guide to the final resting place of the Grail. The keystone contains crucial information encoded in a way that requires solving a series of puzzles and deciphering hidden messages.

As per the instructions of the Teacher, Silas arrives at the Church of Saint-Sulpice in Paris. The Teacher told him that the keystone is buried under the Rose Line. Silas breaks the marble beneath the Rose Line and finds the keystone. The stone tablet has a simple inscription on it: Job 38:11. This points to a Bible verse: Job, Chapter thirty-eight, Verse eleven.

Happily, Silas reaches for the Bible kept on the altar, opens the Old Testament, and finds the Book of Job. He locates Chapter 38, runs his fingers down the column of text, and finds Verse 11.

The verse simply reads: “Hitherto shalt thou come, But no further” [You can come this far, but no further].

Now he knows that his quest has ended fruitlessly.

 

The cryptex

The cryptex is a portable container that may protect letters, maps, diagrams etc. Only the person with the correct password could access information after it was sealed inside the cryptex. Leonardo da Vinci invented it. It functions similarly to a combination lock on a bicycle. When the dials are properly aligned, the lock slides open. This cryptex contains five dials that are lettered. When you rotate them in the correct order, the tumblers inside align, and the entire cylinder slides apart, revealing a hollow central compartment that can hold a scroll of paper containing sensitive information.

The term cryptex was coined by author Dan Brown for his novel “The Da Vinci Code,” and is derived from Greek “kryptós,” which means “hidden/secret,” and Latin “codex.” In the modern era, Justin Kirk Nevins constructed the first tangible cryptex in 2004.

In the novel The Da Vinci Code, the cryptex is described as a stone cylinder made up of “five doughnut-sized discs of marble that had been stacked and affixed to one another within a delicate brass framework. The end caps make seeing inside the hollow cylinder impossible. Each disc is carved with the whole alphabet and may be rotated independently of the others to form various letter-alignment combinations, such as words, initialisms, and anagrams.

Secret information can be hidden in the cryptex’s inner compartment, written on a scroll of thin papyrus wrapped around a fragile vial of vinegar as a security measure: if one does not know the password but tries to force the cryptex open, the vial will break and the papyrus will dissolve to a glob of meaningless pulp.

The only way to gain access to the information contained within is to know the correct five-letter password. And with five dials, each with twenty-six letters, that’s twenty-six to the fifth power, or over twelve million possible combinations.

 

The Depository Bank of Zurich

To promote the book, Random House, the publisher of The Da Vinci Code, created a mock website for the bank as part of its advertising campaign. The website includes a “customer” login feature that was utilized in a contest associated with the book’s promotion.

 

 

Chateau Villette

A château is a manor house or residence of the lord of the manor, or a fine country house of nobility or gentry, with or without fortifications, originally, and still most frequently, in French-speaking regions.

The Château de Villette is a château (a French manor house) located in Condécourt, France, 40 km (24.8 mi) northwest of Paris. There are numerous outbuildings including a chapel and adjacent reception room, horse stable and greenhouse.

More than 185 acres (75 ha) of garden were designed by André Le Nôtre and spread out behind the château in the central axis with two rectangular lakes filled with swans, ducks, birds and fishes, as well as a cascade and fountain. The grounds provide outdoor activities for the château guests, including jogging, biking, and hunting. There is also a swimming pool and a tennis court.

Known for its stunning architecture and picturesque surroundings, it serves as a popular destination for holidays, weddings, and exclusive events.

Château de Villette plays a notable role in Dan Brown’s novel “The Da Vinci Code” as one of the key locations in the story. The château, situated in the Poil region of France, serves as the residence of Sir Leigh Teabing, a primary character who aids Robert Langdon and Sophie Neveu in their quest to uncover the secrets of the Holy Grail.

It is the place where much of the critical discussion about the Holy Grail takes place. It serves as a safe haven and a base of operations for the protagonists as they delve deeper into the mystery.

The château’s inclusion in both the book and the film has brought it significant attention and interest from fans of the novel and tourists alike. It has become a cultural landmark associated with the fictional narrative of “The Da Vinci Code”.

 

Westminster Abbey

Westminster Abbey, situated in the heart of London, England, stands as an iconic and historically significant religious site. Its cultural importance is profound, and it has played a central role in the religious and political history of the United Kingdom.

The abbey’s architectural magnificence is truly awe-inspiring, characterized by soaring towers, intricate stone carvings, and stunning stained glass windows. Visitors from all over the world are drawn to its imposing facade and grand entrance. Steeped in history, Westminster Abbey has been a witness to numerous significant events, including royal weddings, coronations, and state funerals. It has long been the traditional burial site for British monarchs and other notable figures, evoking deep reverence and serving as a place of commemoration.

Beyond its religious and historical significance, Westminster Abbey remains an active institution, hosting regular services and religious ceremonies. It warmly welcomes visitors who come to appreciate its architectural beauty, delve into its rich history, and pay tribute to the individuals who have shaped the nation.

Surrounded by lush gardens and located in close proximity to the Houses of Parliament and other iconic landmarks, Westminster Abbey stands as a timeless symbol of British heritage. It continues to be a cherished place of worship, reflection, and cultural admiration.

Inside the abbey, visitors are greeted by an equally remarkable interior, featuring a vast nave, intricate vaulted ceilings, and ornate chapels. One notable area is the Poets’ Corner, where renowned writers and poets, such as Geoffrey Chaucer, Charles Dickens, and William Shakespeare, rest in eternal peace. It is also the final resting place of the esteemed scientist Sir Isaac Newton. In Dan Brown’s “The Da Vinci Code,” Westminster Abbey is a crucial location in the narrative. Robert Langdon and Sophie Neveu visit the Abbey as part of their quest to uncover the secrets of the Holy Grail. They are led there by a clue indicating “a knight interred by a pope,” which they interpret as referring to Sir Isaac Newton’s tomb within the Abbey. It is at Westminster Abbey that the climactic confrontation between Langdon, Neveu, and their formidable adversary, known as the Teacher, ultimately unfolds.

 

Rosslyn Chapel

In Dan Brown’s novel “The Da Vinci Code,” Rosslyn Chapel plays a pivotal role in the climax of the story. This historic chapel, located in Scotland, is depicted as the final destination in the quest for the Holy Grail. The protagonists, Robert Langdon and Sophie Neveu, arrive at Rosslyn Chapel following a series of cryptic clues. It is here that Sophie discovers her true identity and lineage, which is intricately linked to the Grail’s secret. The novel reveals that the Holy Grail is not a physical chalice but rather a secret that has been protected by Sophie’s family for generations. The chapel, with its mysterious carvings and historical significance, serves as a symbolic and literal conclusion to the thrilling search.

Invisible-ink Marker and Black-light torch

INVISIBLE INK MARKER :

An invisible ink marker is a pen that uses ink which is invisible to the naked eye but becomes visible under ultraviolet (UV) light. These markers are often used for security purposes, such as marking valuable items or writing secret messages that can only be read under UV light. They are also popular for fun activities like writing secret notes or creating hidden messages for treasure hunts. The ink in these markers is typically fluorescent, glowing brightly when exposed to UV light.

BLACK LIGHT :

A black light, also known as a UV-A light, is a type of torch that emits long-wave ultraviolet light and very little visible light. These lights are typically used to observe fluorescence, where materials emit visible light after absorbing UV radiation. Black lights are commonly used for detecting counterfeit money, authenticating official documents, revealing hidden ink or stains, and in various scientific and artistic applications. The light emitted by black lights falls in the 365-400 nm range of the electromagnetic spectrum, which is why certain materials and substances appear to glow when exposed to them.

In the novel “The Da Vinci Code,” Jacques Saunière wrote secret messages for her grand-daughter Sophie Neveu and Robert Langdon using an invisible marker pen that Sophie read through the black-light torch. 

 

 

Leonardo da Vinci

Leonardo di ser Piero da Vinci was an Italian painter, draughtsman, engineer, scientist, thinker, sculptor, and architect. He was born on April 15, 1452, and died on May 2, 1519.

He is known for his notebooks, where he wrote and drew about many different things, such as anatomy, astronomy, botany, mapping, painting, and palaeontology.

Da Vinci has always been a hard person for scholars to talk about, especially those who come from a Christian background. Even though the visionary was very smart, he was a unashamed homosexual and a worshipper of Nature’s heavenly order. Both of these things put him in a constant state of sin against God. Da Vinci exhumed  dead bodies to study human anatomy; he kept mysterious journals written in reverse handwriting; he thought he could turn lead into gold and even trick God by making an elixir to delay death; and his inventions included horrible, never-before-thought-of weapons of war and torture.

Da Vinci painted many paintings with Christian themes because the Vatican paid him a lot of money to do so. He didn’t do this to show how he felt about Christianity, but to make money to support his lavish lifestyle. Da Vinci liked to play tricks, and in many of his Christian paintings, he put in secret symbols that were not Christian at all. These were tributes to his own views and a subtle way of making fun of the Church.

In Dan Brown’s “The Da Vinci Code,” Leonardo da Vinci plays a pivotal role through his artworks and the historical and symbolic significance attributed to him. The novel weaves a narrative that suggests Da Vinci was a member of a secret society, the Priory of Sion, which was entrusted with protecting the secret of the Holy Grail. His masterpieces, particularly “The Last Supper” and “Vitruvian Man,” are central to the story’s plot and its hidden messages.

 

The Vitruvian Man

Recognized for its elegance and symmetry, Vitruvian Man is a magnificent representation of the human form. It is a Renaissance-era drawing by Leonardo da Vinci that has come to represent the harmonious relationship between humans and the natural world.

The Vitruvian Man depicts a naked male figure with his arms and legs extended in a pose that implies both motion and immobility. He is depicted in two positions, one with his arms and legs extended and the other with his arms and legs bowed at the joints. This combination of postures reflects the belief that the human body is a miniature universe.

The Vitruvian Man is surrounded by a circle and a square which are the most distinctive characteristics of this drawing, the circle represents the divine and the square represents the earthly. This reflects the ancient belief that the human body is a temple for the psyche and a reflection of the divine order of the universe.

The drawing exemplifies the power of human creativity and ingenuity and has inspired innumerable artists and thinkers throughout the centuries. It is a reminder of the majesty and complexity of the human form, as well as the enduring curiosity and exploration of humanity.

The Vitruvian Man, considered the most anatomically accurate drawing of its time, has become a cultural icon of the modern era, appearing on posters, mouse pads, and T-shirts around the globe. The celebrated drawing comprised of a perfect circle in which a naked male was depicted with his arms and legs extended in a spread eagle position.

In the novel “The Da Vinci Code”, when Silas shoots Saunière and leaves him to die, Saunière, seeing he only has a few minutes to live and must pass on his vital information, paints a pentacle on his stomach with his own blood, makes a circle with his blood around him, and pulls himself into the center of the circle, recreating Da Vinci’s “Vitruvian Man”. He also writes the information in form of a secret code, and dies.

 

The Mona Lisa

The Mona Lisa is a renowned half-length portrait painted by Leonardo da Vinci during the Italian Renaissance. This painting is described as “a portrait of a woman with the most enigmatic smile in the world.” It is portrayed as an artistic masterpiece, full of complexity and symbolism, and one of the most important treasures of the Louvre Museum in Paris.

It is celebrated for several reasons:

1. 1. Artistic Mastery: Leonardo’s skillful use of sfumato gives the subject a lifelike appearance, particularly noted in the subtle smile and realistic features.

1. 1. Mysterious Smile: The Mona Lisa’s enigmatic smile has captivated viewers for centuries, prompting various interpretations and speculation.

1. 1. Cultural Impact: It is widely considered one of the most famous paintings globally, symbolizing the pinnacle of Renaissance artistry and humanist ideals.

This painting on poplar wood panel continues to intrigue scholars and art enthusiasts alike, embodying Leonardo’s mastery and the era’s fascination with human expression and form.  It is currently on display in the Louvre Museum in Paris, France, and is protected by a bulletproof case.

The novel delves into the symbolic meaning behind the name “Mona Lisa.” It is revealed that the name is an anagram for “Amon L’Isa,” which refers to the Egyptian gods Amon (a male deity) and Isis (a female deity). This suggests a hidden message about the balance of masculine and feminine elements, reflecting the novel’s theme of exploring the divine feminine.

In Dan Brown’s “The Da Vinci Code,” Robert Langdon, decoded the secret message left by dying Jacques Saunière by rearranging the letters of the anagrams. He found that it pointed towards Leonardo Da Vinci and Mona Lisa.

O, Draconian devil ——-> Leonardo Da Vinci

Oh, lame saint ——-> The Mona Lisa

Robert Langdon and his companion, Sophie Neveu, meticulously examine the Mona Lisa painting under the blacklight and discover an additional invisible anagram, “SO DARK THE CON OF MAN,” written on the painting’s protective glass using a black-light marker.

Again Robert Langdon rearranges the letters of the anagram and finds the clue. It pointed towards “Madonna of the Rocks”

So dark the con of man ——-> Madonna of the Rocks

 

Madonna of the Rocks

Leonardo da Vinci’s painting Madonna of the Rocks is a work of art. The Virgin Mary is seated in a rocky environment with John the Baptist and an angel, cradling the baby Jesus. The figures are arranged in a triangle composition, with the Virgin Mary in the center and the other figures on either side flanking her. The artwork is renowned for its use of chiaroscuro, a technique that uses light and shadow to create depth and texture. Da Vinci also used sfumato, a technique that blurs and softens edges to create a hazy, dreamlike impression.

In the novel “The Da Vinci Code,” Sophie finds a message on the protecting glass of the Mona Lisa: So dark is the con of man, which is an anagram of “Madonna of the e Rocks.” She discovers a Swiss bank key hidden behind the painting. She also uses this painting as a hostage to get her and Langdon free from the police.

The Last Supper

The Last Supper refers to Leonardo da Vinci’s famous mural painting, created between 1495 and 1498. It depicts the final meal Jesus shared with his apostles before his crucifixion, as described in the Gospel accounts. Housed in the refectory of the Convent of Santa Maria delle Grazie in Milan, Italy, this masterpiece is renowned for its composition, perspective, and emotional depth. The painting’s enduring significance lies in its portrayal of the moment when Jesus announces his betrayal and impending death, symbolizing sacrifice and redemption.

The novel suggests that “The Last Supper” contains hidden messages that challenge traditional Christian beliefs. One of the central claims is that the figure to the right of Jesus is not the Apostle John, but Mary Magdalene. This interpretation proposes that Mary Magdalene was Jesus’s companion and that they had a more intimate relationship than commonly accepted.

The novel emphasizes the absence of a chalice or Holy Grail in the painting. Instead of a physical cup, the Holy Grail is presented as a symbol of Mary Magdalene herself, suggesting that she is the true vessel of Jesus’s bloodline.

Characters in the novel, particularly Sir Leigh Teabing, point out various symbolic elements in the painting. They argue that the V-shape created between Jesus and the figure next to him represents a feminine symbol, further supporting the idea that this figure is Mary Magdalene.

Another mysterious element discussed is the disembodied hand holding a knife, which appears between two apostles. This detail adds to the enigmatic quality of the painting and fuels the novel’s narrative of hidden secrets and symbolic messages.

 

 

The Pentacle

Dying Jacques Saunière in the novel “The Da Vinci Code” makes a pentacle (five-point star) on his stomach. The pentacle, often confused with the pentagram, is a five-pointed star enclosed within a circle.

Professor Langdon, the protagonist, describes the Pentacle as one of the oldest symbols on the planet. It’s a pagan religious symbol associated with nature worship that has been in use for approximately 4,000 years prior to Christ.

Ancient people divided the universe into two halves, masculine and feminine. Their gods and goddesses maintained a balance of authority. Yin and yang. When male and female were in equilibrium, there was peace on earth. Anarchy prevailed when they were out of equilibrium. This pentacle represents the female half of all things, which religious historians call the ‘sacred feminine’ or ‘divine deity.’ The divine order of Nature served as the basis for early religion. Venus, the deity, and Venus, the planet, were one and the same. The deity was known by a variety of names, including Venus, the Eastern Star, Ishtar, and Astarte, all of which were strong female concepts associated with Nature and Mother Earth.

The planet Venus drew a complete pentacle across the ecliptic sky every four years. Due to the ancients’ amazement at this phenomenon, Venus and her pentacle became symbols of perfection, beauty, and the cyclical characteristics of sexual love. As a tribute to Venus’s allure, the Greeks organized their Olympiads according to her four-year cycle.

However, the early Roman Catholic Church revised the pentacle. The Vatican initiated a smear campaign against pagan gods and goddesses, recasting their holy emblems as demonic, as part of its drive to eliminate pagan religions and convert the masses to Christianity. The pagans lost the war between pagan and Christian emblems, and Venus’s pentacle became a symbol of the devil. The pentacle has also been corrupted by the United States military, and it is now the country’s primary sign of war, painted on all of its fighter jets and hanging on the shoulders of its generals. As a result, the goddess of love and beauty’s symbol became a symbol of war and bloodshed.

In the novel, the pentacle appears in a crucial scene where Jacques Saunière, the curator of the Louvre, draws a pentacle on his stomach with his own blood before dying. This act is intended to leave a clue for his granddaughter, Sophie Neveu, and Robert Langdon. It symbolizes the hidden truths and ancient knowledge that the novel’s protagonists seek to uncover.

 

PHI

In “The Da Vinci Code,” Dan Brown described the PHI, which has a value of approximately 1.618 and is represented by the Greek letter φ (pronounced “fie”). Phi is also known as the Golden Ratio, the Golden Proportion, the Golden Mean, the Extreme and Mean Ratio, the Phi Ratio, the Divine Proportion, and the Sacred Cut. They are synonymous in meaning.

The protagonist in “The DaVinci Code” erred when he assigned phi the “exact” value of 1.618. However, Phi is an irrational mathematical constant with a numeric value of 1.618… meaning that its decimal is infinite and never repeats (similar to pi). It is a proportion that occurs naturally and possesses aesthetically appealing qualities.

“Phi” should not to be confused with “Pi”. Pi is denoted by the Greek letter π. It has an approximate value of 3.141 and can be found in the ratio of the circumference to the diameter of any perfect circle. While Phi or The Golden Ratio is found in the ratio of the limb of a five-pointed star to the side of its center pentagon.]

PHI was created from the Fibonacci sequence, a development well-known for two reasons: first, because the quotients of adjacent terms had the amazing property of approaching the number 1.618, which made PHI!

Fibonacci sequence —–>  0, 1, 1, 2, 3, 5, 8, 13, 21, 34, 55, 89, 144, 233, 377.

Due to its frequent occurrence in nature, the ancients thought that the number PHI must have been predetermined by the universe’s creator. The number 1.6182 was revered as the Divine Proportion in early science.

Examples in nature of PHI:

In any beehive in the world, dividing the number of female bees by the number of male bees yields the same result…. 1.618.

In a spiral seashell, the ratio of the diameter of one spiral to the diameter of the next spiral is always 1.618….PHI…the Divine Proportion!

Sunflower seeds develop in opposing spirals. PHI is the ratio of each spiral’s diameter to that of the following spiral. The segmentation of insects, the spiraled petals of pinecones, and the leaf arrangement on plant branches all show an incredible devotion to the Divine Proportion….1.618

Leonardo da Vinci was the first person to fully comprehend the human body’s divine constitution. Da Vinci actually unearthed corpses to discover the precise proportions of human bone structure. He was the first to show that the body actually consists of parts with proportional ratios that always equal PHI. If we measure our height and then divide that figure by the distance from our navel and the floor … It will be One-point-six-one-eight…PHI. Likewise, the distance between our shoulder and fingertips divided by the distance between our elbow and fingertips… PHI again. The ratio of hip to floor to knee to floor…. PHI again. Finger joints. Toes. Spinal divisions…. all are PHI. PHI. PHI….

In Dan Brown’s novel “The Da Vinci Code,” dying Jacques Saunière writes a secret message for his grand-daughter Sophie Neveu and Robert Langdon. That message contains a line of numbers: 13-3-2-21-1-1-8-5

Langdon finds out that this was a scrambled Fibonacci sequence. After rearranging the numbers he gets : 1-1-2-3-5-8-13-21

A the Depository Bank of Zurich, they tried that number 1123581321 as the account number and it was a success.

 

DCPJ

 

The Atbash Cypher

The Atbash Cypher was developed around 500 B.C.  The Atbash Cypher, a typical type of Jewish cryptogram, was a simple substitution code based on the twenty-two-letter Hebrew alphabet. The first letter in Atbash was replaced by the last letter, the second letter by the next to last letter, and so on. Atbash-encrypted text can be found in the Kabbala, the Dead Sea Scrolls, and even the Old Testament. Atbash is still used by Jewish intellectuals and mystics to find hidden meanings. The Atbash Cypher would almost definitely be taught by the Priory.

In Dan Brown’s novel “The Da Vinci Code,” the Atbash cipher plays a crucial role in unraveling one of the mysteries. The Atbash cipher is a substitution cipher where the letters of the alphabet are reversed; A becomes Z, B becomes Y, and so on. This ancient cipher was originally used to encrypt the Hebrew alphabet but can be adapted for any alphabet.

In the novel, protagonist Robert Langdon and cryptologist Sophie Neveu use the Atbash cipher to decode a message left by the murdered curator, Jacques Saunière. The cipher text is initially incomprehensible, but by applying the Atbash cipher, Langdon and Neveu uncover a hidden clue that propels them further in their quest to solve the mystery surrounding the Holy Grail. This application of the Atbash cipher demonstrates its historical significance and its utility in cryptographic puzzles, adding an intriguing layer to the novel’s plot.

 

The Holy Grail / Sangreal

Various legends and traditions have depicted the Holy Grail in different forms, including a cup, dish, or stone, possessing miraculous powers such as healing, eternal youth, or infinite abundance. One significant portrayal of the Grail, as described in Robert de Boron’s Joseph d’Arimathie in the late 12th century, presents it as the vessel used by Joseph of Arimathea to collect the blood of Jesus during the crucifixion.

In Dan Brown’s novel “The Da Vinci Code,” there is a different interpretation of the Holy Grail. The book suggests that the Holy Grail is not an object like a cup, but rather a person, namely Mary Magdalene. Despite being portrayed as a prostitute by the early Church, according to this narrative, Mary Magdalene was actually the wife of Jesus Christ, carrying his bloodline as she bore his heir while he was crucified. To safeguard the royal bloodline from the Church, she fled and sought refuge in a secret location. The knowledge of the royal bloodline was entrusted to only a few individuals who swore never to reveal it, even under the threat of their lives.

Over the centuries following the death of Christ, accounts of Mary Magdalene were veiled and recorded in written documents. These writings were concealed in a chest buried underground, with only a select few members of the secret society known as the Priory of Sion aware of the precise location. The Holy Grail, therefore, is believed to be the place where the tomb of Mary Magdalene is located and where these secret documents have been preserved.

The Holy Grail is arguably the most sought-after treasure in human history. The Grail has spawned legends, wars, and lifelong quests. The novel also suggests that the Catholic Church has been trying to suppress the truth about the Grail and its connection to Mary Magdalene, in order to maintain its patriarchal power structure. The book’s protagonist, Robert Langdon, sets out to unravel the mystery of the Grail and its true meaning, while evading a sinister organization known as Opus Dei, which is also seeking the Grail for its own purposes.

INTRODUCTION  THEMES AND MOTIFS  CURIOSITY & SUSPENSE  PLOT SUMMARY

CRITICAL REVIEW  IMPORTANT CHARACTERS  STRESSFUL MOMENTS & CLIFFHANGERS

 MOVIE ADAPTATION