Monsters and Myths

Another one of the great bible myths described through out history is that of the “Holy Grail”. The grail legends have sparked many debates among religious cultures and cultural historians as to its existence. According to Christian Mythology the Holy Grail was a cup, dish , or plate used by Jesus at the Last Supper and was said to possess miraculous powers, often referred to as the Holy Chalice. The grail has also provided for many other forms of grail legends and myths through out the years.

In many grail writings through the years it appears in many different roles everywhere but in most versions of the many legends a hero must prove himself to be worthy of being in the presence of the great icon , although some legends portray the grail as being available to all but only fully realized by those prepared spiritually. The grails origins are traced back to both Celtic Myth and a Catholic Symbol and most scholars today accept that both Christian and Celtic traditions contributed to the grail legends developments but generally view that the central theme of the grail is Christian influenced.

The word “grail” as its earliest spelling appears to be an old french adaptation of the latin word “gradalis”, which translates to a dish brought to the table during meals. But there are some who believe there is an and an alternate name of the Holy Grail , “san greal” or “san greal” which means holy grail , although “san re’al” means “royal blood” and this etymology of the name has been employed in many modern conspiracy theories. One of the most well known grail conspiracy theories known today was sparked by Dan Brown’s best selling novel “The Da Vinci Code”. The Da Vinci Code is based on the idea that the Holy Grail is not a cup or chalice but a womb and later the remains of Mary Magdalene who is cast as Jesus wife.

Belief in the Holy Grail and its potential whereabouts have been hotly debated and continue today. The grail has been claimed to be owned by many groups including the Knights Templar. Locations of the grail today has also been a widely debated topic offering many possible answers. There are several artifacts that are claimed as the Holy Grail in many religious places including several churches like St Mary of Valencia Cathedral , San Juan de la Pena, and the most famous Rosslyn Chapel. Many of these artifacts are considered to have religious importance but there is no reliable proof offered that link them to being the “Holy Grail” itself.

Is this mythological legend really linked to the true cup of christ ? Does the Da Vinci Code offer a link to solve this great mystery ? Or is the search for the grail simply meant to be a myth leading man to find something more important than a mythical cup of power but true faith ?