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Leonardo Da Vinci, The Holy Grail and The Last SupperIt is interesting to note how the Holy Grail is often linked with 12 knights and a ruling king, the same configuration as the Christian symbol of The Last Supper. Additionally, the Grail, also a Christian Symbol, involves the sacrifice, sublimation, and pure love, the very qualities implied through The Last Supper as the start of the events leading to Christ's crucifixion and resurrection. From A Dictionary of Symbols, by J. E. Cirlot: ...the Grail implies, above all, the quest for the mystic 'Centre' -the 'unmoved mover', of Aristotle...The appearance of the Grail in the centre of the Round Table, round which are seated the Knights, closely parallels, in the symbolism of its form, the Chinese image of heaven (Pi), which is shaped like a circle with a hole (analogous with a cup or chalice) in the middle. When we look at Leonardo da Vinci's depiction of The Last Supper table, semicircular with a hole, we cannot but wonder whether this is not also a depiction of the Holy Grail and also an allusion with astrological significance (the twelve disciples as the twelve signs of the Zodiac, representing a different aspect of the whole). The Holy Grail was also the receptacle rumored to have received the blood of Christ at his crucifixion. Goethe's and Leonardo Da Vinci's symbolism, click here. |
Leonardo: The Turning Point, Humanities 201 Course, click here for more information.  Related discussions: Leonardo da Vinci - his works and ideas 
The Last Supper Leonardo da Vinci |