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May 05, 2004
The Da Vinci Code
i've been staying up way too late and reading this new book (new to me)...Its full of exactly what I like - codes, puzzles, murder mystery, car chases, high-speed getaways, secret sects and a lot of interesting information about the Pagan religion and how it was stomped out by Christianity. Not that i like a lot of books about that, but it is interesting to find out about a lot of the symbols and names we use today and how the were derived from centuries ago...
Like did you know about the PHI number? 1.618. Its called the 'Divine Ratio' and it occurs everywhere in nature..If you measure from your shoulder to your fingertips, then measure from your elbow to your fingertips and divide the numbers, you'll get PHI...the URL shows some examples that might make more sense...I like puzzles and I'd hear of symmetry in the face as being pleasing - why we think George Clooney is attractive and Lyle Lovett is not...Did you know the names meaning 'Left' in Italian and French (also representing Woman) are 'Sinistra' and 'Gauche'...they've come to mean 'bad' and 'sinister' over time...Women's role in religion has been squashed and men's role has taken over. I don't want to get into a great theological debate, but I do find it interesting how our words and symbols have changed meaning over time...
So, I was up very late reading...I hope to finish the book today, so I can get back to other things... :)
Posted by Donner at May 5, 2004 10:03 AM
Comments
If you like DaVinci Code, read Dan Brown's other book...Demons and Angels. It is also a good read.
Posted by: Gail at May 5, 2004 10:59 AM
Hi Donna, I haven't read The Davinci Code yet but I have a friend who says I would LOVE it! I have a lot of information on Paganism and it is not at all what the media and what some religious groups make it out to be. Originally the term 'Pagan' was a derogatory term that referred to village dwellers from the perspective of city dwellers, and extended to refer to the villagers beliefs. That is just one definition.
I am an Earth-Based Spiritualist, I consider myself a witch but not in the green skin, broom riding, soul sucking sort of way... LOL, more in a Mother Nature connection sort of way…
Posted by: Nicole at May 5, 2004 12:56 PM
Being a witch is fun and misunderstood...remember everyone- "Glynda" from Oz was a good witch...and all the witches I know in modern times are good...I like the word Pagan, it sounds 'earthy' and humble...I'm definitely a 'tree hugging hippy' as Cartman would say. I think Mother Nature is a wonderful thing to honor and worship.
Posted by: donner at May 5, 2004 01:15 PM
I couldn't put this book down either....and really regretted that I didn't have some old art history books lying around to look at while I was reading it.
As for another good read (a completely different book, but also a historical fiction), The Other Boleyn Girl by Philippa Gregory was also wonderful...and one of those books that made you want to read and learn more about the period (King Henry VIII).
Posted by: Jean at May 5, 2004 01:44 PM
Jean, yes, The Other Boleyn Girl was FANTASTIC!!!! There is a new biography out on the Wives of Henry VIII - it coincides with the PBS broadcast. It is not a work of fiction, but an excellent book. And if you're a real anglophile.....Elizabeth and Mary, Cousins Rivals Queens is great as well!!! And get those art history books out, girl!!!! Fascinating stuff!!!
Wow .....we make jewelry, beads and read, aren't we a talented bunch!!!
Have a nice day everyone!!
Posted by: Katie at May 5, 2004 01:52 PM
I watched the PBS series about the Wives of Henry the VIII. Most folks think he was a maniac, but he was married to his first wife for over 20 years and only divorced her when it was apparent she would not be giving him a son...My favorite 'rhyme' to remember the wives: "Divorced, Beheaded, Died (in childbirth); Divorced, Beheaded, Survived"...I have trouble remembering their names, sometimes I have to really think think think like Pooh...I visited Hampton Court Palace, and that was fun imagining to be walking in the same footsteps as these ladies...
Posted by: donner at May 5, 2004 03:01 PM