Yeah, me either.
More conspiracies to come!
Sunday, December 16, 2007
Covering up the Cover-up!
This is Da Vinci's The Adoration of the Magi. As mentioned in the previous post, this painting was painted over, supposedly to cover up a hidden message Da Vinci had placed in it. Take a look for yourself and tell me if you see anything secret:
Yeah, me either.
More conspiracies to come!
Yeah, me either.
More conspiracies to come!
Real Life Connection 2
The Adoration of the Magi was painted by Leonardo Da Vinci in 1481, but he left it unfinished due to his departure from Florence to Milan. The painting currently resides at the Uffizi Gallery in Florence, and has been there since the year 1670. However, after Leonardo Da Vinci's death in 1519, it was discovered that the painting was painted over, apparently to conceal some sort of secret. This, of course, fired up any conspiracy theorist (I know I was pretty excited), but the Church was easy to deny this claim, stating that it was just a mere "touch up" of the painting. As strange as it seems, I'm not about to pick sides in this matter, but I will admitt that I took an immediate interest in this subject. It's just too bad that there will be no way to prove or disprove any of this--another unanswered question. Seem familiar....?
What are your thoughts over the Church painting over Da Vinci's painting. Is it a simple touch up or is there something fishy about it?
ALSO....BACK TO THE BOOK FOR A MOMENT!
Robert Langdon, naturally, is aware of this mystery of The Adoration of the Magi, and decides that his next step is to head into that direction.
What are your thoughts over the Church painting over Da Vinci's painting. Is it a simple touch up or is there something fishy about it?
ALSO....BACK TO THE BOOK FOR A MOMENT!
Robert Langdon, naturally, is aware of this mystery of The Adoration of the Magi, and decides that his next step is to head into that direction.
Light at the End of the Tunnel!
The Da Vinci Code takes its readers on one insane ride. Throughout the novel, questions are raised and are left unanswered for a while, leaving the reader feeling tantalized. Just when you think you see where it's going, you find out the hard way that you truly have no idea! Now, as we near the end of the novel, we see the light at the end of the tunnel. Finally, some questions are answered!
Robert Langdon, our hero, explains to Sophie that this secret--the thing that the Church is trying to cover up--is not what most believe it to be. The Holy Grail, often depicted as a chalice of some sort, is not in fact a chalice, but documented evidence of something so devastating that that Church would go to any length to protect its secret (I'm beginning to feel like Dan Brown now).
At this point in the novel, Langdon and Sophie have one major clue with them on this search for the Grail: a key. On this key is a symbol that Langdon, being a cryptologist, recognizes as something similar to the symbol of a society named "The Knights Templar". To add to the many twists of this story, the Knights Templar were the known protectors of the Holy Grail, and the last it was seen was over 600 years ago. It has since been relocated by the novel's other secret society, the Priory of Sion. Leonardo Da Vinci was deep into the Priory of Sion, and Langdon suggests that wherever the Grail currently resides, Leonardo knew where it was.
What was your prior knowledge, if any, of the Holy Grail before now?
Also
Any guesses as to where the story will go next?? I could try, myself, but I've seen the movie, and I'm interested as to what you think!
Robert Langdon, our hero, explains to Sophie that this secret--the thing that the Church is trying to cover up--is not what most believe it to be. The Holy Grail, often depicted as a chalice of some sort, is not in fact a chalice, but documented evidence of something so devastating that that Church would go to any length to protect its secret (I'm beginning to feel like Dan Brown now).
At this point in the novel, Langdon and Sophie have one major clue with them on this search for the Grail: a key. On this key is a symbol that Langdon, being a cryptologist, recognizes as something similar to the symbol of a society named "The Knights Templar". To add to the many twists of this story, the Knights Templar were the known protectors of the Holy Grail, and the last it was seen was over 600 years ago. It has since been relocated by the novel's other secret society, the Priory of Sion. Leonardo Da Vinci was deep into the Priory of Sion, and Langdon suggests that wherever the Grail currently resides, Leonardo knew where it was.
What was your prior knowledge, if any, of the Holy Grail before now?
Also
Any guesses as to where the story will go next?? I could try, myself, but I've seen the movie, and I'm interested as to what you think!
Real Life Connection
On March 15th, 2005, Cardinal Tarcisio Bertone, the Archbishop of Genoa, was the first member of the Catholic Church to speak about The Da Vinci Code. The Cardinal told an Italian newspaper "It astonishes and worries me that so many people believe these lies." He also made a statement saying, "The book is everywhere. There is a very real risk that many people who read it will believe that the fables it contains are true."
There was a rumor going around the the Cardinal was asked by the Vatican to "hit back at the book", but these rumors were, of course, denied by both the Cardinal and Vatican. As far as Dan Brown's opinion goes, he still claims that many of the facts his novel reveals are true, and can be proven with evidence!
Whether you're extrememly religious or you just don't care, it's hard not to take a small bit of interest in, not only the book itself, but the real life issues it has ignited.
There was a rumor going around the the Cardinal was asked by the Vatican to "hit back at the book", but these rumors were, of course, denied by both the Cardinal and Vatican. As far as Dan Brown's opinion goes, he still claims that many of the facts his novel reveals are true, and can be proven with evidence!
Whether you're extrememly religious or you just don't care, it's hard not to take a small bit of interest in, not only the book itself, but the real life issues it has ignited.
Sunday, December 2, 2007
Wrongfully Accused
It's been a while!
We left off with the discovery of a naked dead body, set up in the position as Leonardo Da Vinci's Vitruvian Man, with a secret code next to the body. The Code read: “13-3-2-21-1-1-8-5 O, Draconian devil! Oh, lame saint!” As if there wasn't enough confusion already, Sophie Neveu approaches our hero Robert Langdon and tells him to call the Embassy. Instead, she gives him the number to her answering machine where she left him a message saying that he was in trouble.
As Langdon listens to the message, Sophie tells the French Police Chief, Mr. Bezu Fache, that the code next to the body is in the Fibonacci sequence, meaning that each term is equal to the sum of the two terms before it. This would, of course, render the sequence insignificant, and Fache, who is already extremely angry, becomes even more frustrated. Langdon then tells them that he is beginning to feel very uncomfortable and he decides to head into the bathroom to get away from all the insanity. Fache tells one of his agents, Jerome Collete, to keep a close eye on Langdon to make sure he doesnt leave the museum. They put an electronic tracker on him just to make sure.
Sophie follows Langdon into the bathroom with some interesting news. She informs him that he is a suspect in the case and that as they speak, he is being tracked. Langdon checks himself and finds the tracker. She then shows him a picture of the crime scene that Fache had placed on agency's website. In the picture, there's a line that wasnt present at the actual crime scene. It says "P.S. Find Robert Langdon." As if this wasn't big enough of a blow, she continues to tell him that the police suspect him of commiting the crime, and that they have plenty of evidence against him. Thoughts swirl in his mind, and it takes him a bit to process the information. Then, a question formulates in his mind, and he asks Sophie how and why she is so involved with this Sauniere murder. She, of course, adds to the mystery by telling him that Sauniere, the man who's naked body lies flat out with blood on a museum floor, is her grandfather.
Suspenseful, eh?
Just one thing to ponder: what is your initial reaction to this mess? Afterall, there is quite a bit going on.
We left off with the discovery of a naked dead body, set up in the position as Leonardo Da Vinci's Vitruvian Man, with a secret code next to the body. The Code read: “13-3-2-21-1-1-8-5 O, Draconian devil! Oh, lame saint!” As if there wasn't enough confusion already, Sophie Neveu approaches our hero Robert Langdon and tells him to call the Embassy. Instead, she gives him the number to her answering machine where she left him a message saying that he was in trouble.
As Langdon listens to the message, Sophie tells the French Police Chief, Mr. Bezu Fache, that the code next to the body is in the Fibonacci sequence, meaning that each term is equal to the sum of the two terms before it. This would, of course, render the sequence insignificant, and Fache, who is already extremely angry, becomes even more frustrated. Langdon then tells them that he is beginning to feel very uncomfortable and he decides to head into the bathroom to get away from all the insanity. Fache tells one of his agents, Jerome Collete, to keep a close eye on Langdon to make sure he doesnt leave the museum. They put an electronic tracker on him just to make sure.
Sophie follows Langdon into the bathroom with some interesting news. She informs him that he is a suspect in the case and that as they speak, he is being tracked. Langdon checks himself and finds the tracker. She then shows him a picture of the crime scene that Fache had placed on agency's website. In the picture, there's a line that wasnt present at the actual crime scene. It says "P.S. Find Robert Langdon." As if this wasn't big enough of a blow, she continues to tell him that the police suspect him of commiting the crime, and that they have plenty of evidence against him. Thoughts swirl in his mind, and it takes him a bit to process the information. Then, a question formulates in his mind, and he asks Sophie how and why she is so involved with this Sauniere murder. She, of course, adds to the mystery by telling him that Sauniere, the man who's naked body lies flat out with blood on a museum floor, is her grandfather.
Suspenseful, eh?
Just one thing to ponder: what is your initial reaction to this mess? Afterall, there is quite a bit going on.
Friday, November 9, 2007
Questions Answered with More Questions!!
The Da Vinci Code opens at the very popular attraction sight, the Louvre in France. However, what isn't so popular is the museum's curator being demanded to know where the "Holy Grail" is--whatever that may be. This is exactly what happens at the start of the novel. Jacques Sauniere, the curator of the Louvre, is demanded this information, and the right when he gives this piece of information away, he is shot and left to die. Right away--questions. What is the Holy Grail and who is the person that wants it? Why do they want it? How did Sauniere know where it was and what's his connection? You already begin to find yourself asking questions.
After this little scene, the reader is introduced to Dan Brown's beloved character, Robert Langdon. Langdon is called to the scene of the shooting at the Louvre, where he is surprised to find the body of Sauniere, not just lying on the floor with his wounds, but naked, and in position of one of Da Vinci's paintings "Vitruvian Man". Next to him lies a code of numbers, as well as something else written. Again--more questions, such as.....what the heck?? Immediately, the reader is drawn in, myself included. I'm not used to too many introductions that leave me so full with questions that I'm actually annoyed!
To add to the massive ammount of questions, an agent who works in cryptology, Sophie Neveu, joins the fun of this murder mystery. As if Langdon wasn't in enough confusion, Sophie tell Langdon to call the embassy, but when he calls the number she had given him, it was, instead, a message warning him that he was in danger. It almost seems like all of these events, happening at the same time, are too much to even consider believable, but I promise that it is! In fact, Dan Brown claims that every bit of content in this novel is true--but there are many skeptics, especially the Catholic Church, who have sought hard to prove him wrong.
As well as analysis to the events just described, and the events following, I will present the real life arguments between Dan Brown and the Catholic Church. It's pretty interesting, and after I post it I'll ask you what you believe more, the Church or Mr. Brown.
Have a nice long weekend!
After this little scene, the reader is introduced to Dan Brown's beloved character, Robert Langdon. Langdon is called to the scene of the shooting at the Louvre, where he is surprised to find the body of Sauniere, not just lying on the floor with his wounds, but naked, and in position of one of Da Vinci's paintings "Vitruvian Man". Next to him lies a code of numbers, as well as something else written. Again--more questions, such as.....what the heck?? Immediately, the reader is drawn in, myself included. I'm not used to too many introductions that leave me so full with questions that I'm actually annoyed!
To add to the massive ammount of questions, an agent who works in cryptology, Sophie Neveu, joins the fun of this murder mystery. As if Langdon wasn't in enough confusion, Sophie tell Langdon to call the embassy, but when he calls the number she had given him, it was, instead, a message warning him that he was in danger. It almost seems like all of these events, happening at the same time, are too much to even consider believable, but I promise that it is! In fact, Dan Brown claims that every bit of content in this novel is true--but there are many skeptics, especially the Catholic Church, who have sought hard to prove him wrong.
As well as analysis to the events just described, and the events following, I will present the real life arguments between Dan Brown and the Catholic Church. It's pretty interesting, and after I post it I'll ask you what you believe more, the Church or Mr. Brown.
Have a nice long weekend!
Wednesday, November 7, 2007
What, if any, are the realities behind a conspiracy?
To start off this "literary adventure", I'm going to be reading Dan Brown's Da Vinci Code. Before we divulve into the novel, I find that it should be made clear that, according to Dan Brown, certain facts and occurences in the story are actually true. Not only has this sparked massive interest in the novel, but it has also caused massive controversy with the Catholic Church, who is also known for its strong disapproval of the Harry Potter series for its "satanic teachings". The thing with Da Vinci Code, however, is that it directly targets the Catholic Church to either be lying, or just completely false. This, of course, was not particularly appealing to the church.Leonardo Da Vinci is most famoulsy known as one of the best artists that ever lived. It's an obvious statement, yes, but what some people may not know is that he was also known for being a prankster. Da Vinci is believed to have left some controversial messages in some of his works, such as The Mona Lisa, The Last Supper, and the Madonna of the Rocks. These messages are said to be linked to a certain secret--one that has been kept hidden since 1099 by a secret society known as the Priory of Sion (www.danbrown.com), talking about an "unbroken code", which is also claimed to be truth."There exists a chapel in Great Britain that contains a ceiling from which hundreds of stone blocks protrude, jutting down to form a bizarre multi-faceted surface. Each block is carved with a symbol, seemingly at random, creating a cipher of unfathomable proportion. Modern cryptographers have never been able to break this code, and a generous reward is offered to anyone who can decipher the baffling message. In recent years, geological ultrasounds have revealed the startling presence of an enormous subterranean vault hidden beneath the chapel. This vault appears to have no entrance and no exit. To this day, the curators of the chapel have permitted no excavation." ~Dan Brown. Although I, as many other do, find this greatly appealing, most of the reaction towards these kinds of "facts" were pretty negative. I personally love the idea of a secret code on the ceiling of a chapel, but Dan Brown has been accused by others of being a "partner of the Devil", as well as being the devil himself. Whether or not you choose to believe it, all of these statements are true in the world Dan Brown "created", and need to be considered when reading the novel. All places in the book are factual, as Brown states on page one.There's your introduction! I'll have a full introduction of the first few chapters tomorrow--where I can promise a naked, dead body and plenty of secrets. Delicious!!
QUESTIONS TO CONSIDER:
Where do you stand on conspiracies? Are most of them fake, or do you believe in some of what they reveal?
QUESTIONS TO CONSIDER:
Where do you stand on conspiracies? Are most of them fake, or do you believe in some of what they reveal?
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