Source: “Cracking the Symbol Code: The Hidden Messages Within Church and Renaissance Art”, By Tim Wallace-Murphy, Watkins Publishing, London, 2010.
8. The Explainer - Decoding the Cathedrals.mp4
This topic explores the secret preservation of true Christian teachings by hereditary priestly families, known as 'Rex Deus,' who defied Church hierarchy for over a millennium. They passed down esoteric knowledge in secret until the twelfth century, when the Knights Templar and the emergence of Gothic cathedrals provided an opportunity to subtly reveal these hidden truths. The text emphasizes sacred geometry as the "science" behind Gothic architecture, linking it to ancient traditions like the Kabbalah and suggesting that cathedrals were built as "occult Bibles" in stone, encoding deeper meanings beyond typical Christian interpretation. Furthermore, it highlights the influence of Islamic architectural genius, specifically the pointed arch, brought back by the Templars from their contact with Sufi mystics, and details how alchemical symbolism was also integrated into cathedral design as an allegory for spiritual transformation.
Topic 1: The Rex Deus Families and Hidden Spiritual Streams The source introduces the "Rex Deus" families, who were hereditary descendants of the high priesthood of Jerusalem. For over a millennium, these families covertly preserved alternative perspectives on Jesus and his teachings, operating under extreme secrecy to evade the oppressive Church hierarchy. They maintained their clandestine spiritual tradition by strictly adhering to a time-honored method of transmission: fathers educated their sons and daughters, mirroring the ancient Egyptian tradition of masters instructing novices. These families collectively represent what the source refers to as the "hidden streams" of spirituality, which eventually sought a cautious emergence into the open.
Topic 2: The Desposyni Within the Rex Deus group of families, there existed an even more exclusive and select sub-group known as the Desposyni. This particular distinction identifies them as the direct descendants of the Master. This lineage implies a very profound and direct connection to Jesus, setting them apart even within the already secretive Rex Deus network.
Topic 3: Preservation and Transmission of True Teachings The overarching goal shared by all the Rex Deus families was the meticulous preservation of what they considered the authentic teachings of Jesus. Their ultimate intention was to eventually spread these truths beyond their immediate family circles to carefully selected disciples, but only when such dissemination could occur discreetly and without the threat of persecution. In the interim, they maintained an outward appearance of conformity to the dominant religion of their time. However, beneath this façade, they secretly passed down through generations within their families the true, initiatory nature of Jesus the Nazarene's teachings. This knowledge was believed to have originated with John the Baptist, who transmitted it to Jesus, who then, in turn, passed it to John the Divine. This continuous chain ensured that vital spiritual truths were transmitted from master to pupil, secretly flourishing under the mask of apparent Christian obedience.
Topic 4: Emergence of Hidden Beliefs into Public Form By the late twelfth century, the previously hidden beliefs and spiritual truths maintained by the Rex Deus families began to materialize in tangible, physical forms. This shift was observable in both formal symbolism and, notably, in architecture. Key indicators of this cautious emergence included the official establishment of the Knights Templar, the influential actions of Bernard of Clairvaux, and the remarkable surge of creative activity that accompanied the construction of the early Gothic cathedrals. These developments collectively signaled that the secret families were gradually and carefully leveraging the more tolerant climate of the era to convey their veiled message to a broader public audience.
Topic 5: Encoding Heretical Messages in Gothic Art and Architecture The Rex Deus families adopted a sophisticated strategy to embed their non-conformist, or "heretical," messages within the widely accepted framework of mainstream Church iconography. They skillfully utilized allegory and fable as narrative devices to convey deeper meanings. Crucially, the very architectural form of the newly emerging Gothic style became a primary medium for this clandestine communication. This allowed them to express their distinct spiritual ideas and hidden truths in a way that appeared to align with conventional religious expression, thus avoiding overt detection and persecution.
Topic 6: The Divine Geometer/Architect Symbolism A prominent and recurring symbolic image in the medieval period was that of God depicted as the Divine Geometer or Divine Architect. This representation typically showed God holding compasses, symbolizing His role as the creator and designer of the universe. This imagery was likely inspired by scriptural verses, such as the one stating, "Thou hast arranged all this by measure, number and weight." This geometric symbolism was further extended by biblical passages that describe the precise forms and dimensions of various sacred structures, including Noah's Ark, the Ark of the Covenant, the Tabernacle, the Temple of Solomon, and the Heavenly City of the New Jerusalem. The Craftmasons, in particular, held a special fascination for the dimensions of the Temple of Solomon. The Divine Geometer, or as the Craftmasons called him, the Great Architect of the Universe, was believed to have used these tools to divide light from darkness and heaven and earth from the waters. It was widely held that Pythagorean geometry, with its principle that "all things are known to have number," served as the ideal vehicle to express the intrinsic harmony found throughout nature and the cosmos.
Topic 7: Sacred Geometry as a Science of Divine Order The emerging science of sacred geometry was firmly rooted in a reasoned conviction regarding the intrinsic virtue and power of numbers. Medieval Craftmasons held the firm belief that numbers were endowed with an occult, or hidden, power. This perspective found resonance with figures like St. Augustine of Hippo, who considered numbers to be the very thoughts of God, asserting that "The divine wisdom is presented in the numbers impressed on all things." This profound idea was further elaborated by Émile Mâle, who posited that "The construction of the physical and moral world alike is based upon eternal numbers." The profound significance of numbers in articulating the divine order of things was not exclusive to the architects of Classical Greece or to medieval students of sacred geometry; it was also deeply understood and respected by followers of the Kabbala, which served as a supreme vehicle for transmitting the inner and mystical aspects of Judaism. This convergence of beliefs created a compelling paradox: the great Christian cathedrals of Western Europe, built to celebrate what was initially considered a "heresy" propagated by St. Paul, paradoxically harked back in their construction to an ancient Judaic tradition that was, in essence, far closer to the true teachings of Jesus. Thus, the discovery and application of the geometric laws governing the universe intertwined with ancient Jewish mystical tradition to give rise to the distinctive architectural style of Gothic cathedrals.
Topic 8: The Craftmasons' Philosophy and Purpose The Craftmasons of the medieval era regarded their artistic and architectural endeavors as a form of precise science, rigorously governed by fixed and secret laws that could not be arbitrarily violated by any individual's whim. This fundamental principle was succinctly encapsulated in an aphorism of paramount importance to them: "Ars nihilni scienta est," meaning "art is nothing without knowledge." They firmly believed that the magnificent Gothic cathedrals of the medieval era were not constructed merely to be viewed from a human perspective, but rather from the ultimate viewpoint of Almighty God himself. All other considerations were deemed completely irrelevant to their purpose. Both Craftmasons and clergy were united in their conviction that they were building an earthly representation of paradise, giving tangible architectural form to God's divine purpose. This monumental aspiration, they believed, could only be achieved through the strict discipline of sacred geometry, such that in their architecture, not a single decision was made without being determined by geometric principles.
Topic 9: The Deeper Symbolic Meaning of Gothic Architecture Symbolism in medieval cathedrals extended far beyond merely sculptures, paintings, and stained glass; it fundamentally encompassed the architecture itself. While the symbolic imagery in the paintings and sculptures of these cathedrals might often appear to function as a two- or three-dimensional "teaching board" intended for the instruction of the illiterate, for the Craftmasons who actually constructed them, the real and profound mysteries were expressed directly within the architecture itself. Beneath the often decorative and inspirational sculptures, a deeper resonance was believed to vibrate within the very building. Indeed, the inherent patterns within sacred geometry were, to the master masons who employed them, tangible signs that they had successfully tapped into a higher level of consciousness. This connection was believed to guarantee the building's stability and integrity. The deliberate use of appropriate sacred geometric patterns symbolized a profound pact with the Divine Architect, through which He pledged to maintain the building in its divinely allotted place.