Dan Brown details the idea that Leonardo's painting in the church of Santa Maria delle Grazie in Milan is not that of the obvious twelve disciples of Christ. The chalice from which Jesus says, "This is my blood," seems to be missing altogether. Conspiracy theorists are convinced that the chalice isn't a literal cup but is the bloodline of Mary Magdalene. Sangreal, the term from which Holy Grail is derived, has been interpreted San Greal; holy grail. However, some suggest Sangreal should be divided into the words Sang and Real meaning Royal Blood.
The actual biblical event should show John, a child in contrast to the elder disciples, leaning on the breast of Christ, which was John's most significant event in the story. Variations of the traditionally held view of Christ's last supper are considered heretical as some of the Gnostic Gospels are portrayed in stark contrast to the accounts of Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John.
I am willing to bet Leonardo da Vinci made it known that he hid the chalice somewhere in the painting when questioned as to why one of the most significant aspects of the story is completely missing. To his confidants the painting shows a woman. Many other anomalies appear in The Last Supper, but should word get back to Vatican in his day, Da Vinci had a back-up explanation of where the chalice is hidden.
One of the disciples is making the John Gesture as if referencing Saint John the Baptist who was imprisoned and beheaded, not to be confused with the John depicted in the painting. I've always wondered why the upward-pointed index finger was a sign for John and didn't know it when I assumed that this particular disciple is pointing at the ceiling.
Discovery consists in seeing what everyone else has seen and thinking what no one else has thought.
- Albert Szent-Gyorgi (biochemist 1893-1986)
My first thought was that Leonardo wanted us to recognize his understanding and details of depth perception. The ceiling has a pattern that reflects the depth and realism of the painting. I began to realize the effort made to portray depth, noticing even the asymmetrical banners or niches in the walls, but something didn't seem quite right as I analyzed the picture as a whole. My eyes were drawn to a symbol on one of the supposed banners that seemed to not fit with the flow of depth.
I drew the symbol on scrap paper over and over again, turning it upside down and using different shading techniques. The symbol appeared to be a filled semicircle with the flat side opposite a solid rectangle. I wasn't sure what it was, but I was convinced Leonardo put it there, like everything else, for a specific reason. He was too good with details to put a seemingly symbolic reference in his painting for nothing. I researched the symbol with no results.
The boundaries of bodies are the least of all things. The proposition is proved to be true, because the boundary of a thing is a surface, which is not part of the body contained within that surface; nor is it part of the air surrounding that body, but is the medium interposted between the air and the body, as is proved in its place. But the lateral boundaries of these bodies is the line forming the boundary of the surface, which line is of invisible thickness. Wherefore O painter! do not surround your bodies with lines, and above all when representing objects smaller than nature; for not only will their external outlines become indistinct, but their parts will be invisible from distance.
- Leonardo da Vinci
The following day I reviewed The Last Supper and almost immediately noticed something resting on the head of St. Bartholomew, the disciple at the extreme left. I was astonished to find that the symbol on the banner, not following the depth-perception of the painting, was nothing other than a giant chalice. To this day, I can not see this painting without the Holy Grail staring out as if it is the only thing meant to be seen.
It is interesting that St. Bartholomew makes reference to Mary Magdalene in a Gnostic Gospel attributed to his authorship. Although I do not fully agree with the gnostic version of the story, perhaps Leonardo was saying that the history of the sangreal rests on Saint Bartholomew. If you look at the post-restoration painting from now on, you will see nothing but the Holy Grail. Remember where you heard it first: Realm of Twelve .net.
Every now and then go away, have a little relaxation, for when you come back to your work your judgment will be surer. Go some distance away because then the work appears smaller and more of it can be taken in at a glance and a lack of harmony and proportion is more readily seen.
- Leonardo da Vinci
What are people saying about this discovery?
"You'll have to check out his highly intriguing page to see it for yourself. All I can say is that I... like his idea a whole lot more than the 'negative space = uterus = Chalice' business." - Excerpt from review in About.com Art History
"I gratefully credit Gary Phillips II with the original insight that this symbol in Da Vinci's The Last Supper probably represents the Holy Grail, and agree completely with his observation that once you notice the Grail staring back at you from Da Vinci's masterpiece, it jumps right out at you every time you see the painting. You cannot not see it there. That little ‘ah-ha' moment, that slight shift into greater awareness and consciousness, was at the very heart of Original Christianity. We increase in knowledge, integrity, and perfection through the smallest of steps, inching back closer and closer to ourselves and our Creator with every healthy choice we make. Recognizing the Grail hidden within in Da Vinci's painting is a perfect example of this sort of shift in perspective, and the increase in knowledge, or gnosis, that was once so central to the Christian faith" - Excerpt from acclaimed author of the groundbreaking books The Division of Consciousness and The Lost Secret of Death: Peter Novak's web site, DivisionTheory.com
"If you've some how missed the discovery of the hidden image of THE HOLY GRAIL by GARY PHILLIPS... I encourage an immediate visit to his web site. He has some excellent graphics and while you're there take time to wander through his entire site. This is an extremely intelligent young man. His research into encryptions is of specific interest to me. With all the hidden images, numbers, letters, etc., found within LEONARDO DA VINCI'S works of art, I've openly admitted I'm at a loss as to their possible meaning. I'm well aware it will require the knowledge of someone like GARY PHILLIPS to unravel the possible meaning that perhaps da Vinci was counting on to make sense of all this. I'm hoping Mr. Phillips will continue to publish additional discoveries." - Excerpt from Leonardo researcher Vladimir's web site N 2 da Vinci and Beyond
"It may seem a bit farfetched that after centuries someone discovered a detail in the Last Supper that no one had ever seen before, but as far as I can tell, that's the case." - Excerpt from Holy Grail Found in Da Vinci's Last Supper: www.MuseumOfHoaxes.com describes the discovery as legitimate.
"The Professor gasped. He immediately dialed Getit's cellular phone. 'Getit, you aren't going to believe this. I can see the Chalice clearly in the Last Supper. Just look at the space above the head of St. Bartholomew, the disciple left most. There is the Chalice, so visible and yet so invisible.'" - Excerpt from The Da Vinci Dagger by Prastil: www.daVinciDagger.com describes the dagger in the painting as an ancient graille.
"Fortunately for you, this website will show you the Chalice. Once you see it, you will always see it... I thank Gary Phillips II for sharing his discovery of the Da Vinci Chalice." - Excerpt from www.daVinciChalice.com
"Discover the secrets of Leonardo da Vinci's work with this great source." - Excerpt from The Solomon Key - online news source
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