Secret Hidden Symbolism in the DaVinci Code Movie Based on Dan Browns Novel

In addition to the obvious and explained codes and symbolism involved in the movie The DaVinci Code, there are other symbols and clues inserted into the movie by its director Ron Howard. Some of these are simple and easy to catch at first when one watches the movie, however once ones eyes have been opened to their presence, and meaning, it opens up a deeper and richer experience for the audience. I hope the information contained herein will help the reader to better understand the many layers of the story as it is told in the film media.

The first hidden symbol we will explore is the cover of Robert Langdon's book, The Sacred Feminine. The cover is the painting by Botticellis, Birth of Venus. Venus, of course, was the goddess of love and beauty, expressing the sacred feminine itself. Furthermore, it is believed that Botticelli was himself a member of the Priory of Sion, the legendary secret society at the heart of this story. I believe too, that although not directly discussed in the movie that the existence of the sacred feminine, or goddess if you will, is also deeply seated in the heart of this story, and the Birth of Venus is a reminder of that.

The next hidden symbol we will be looking at is, oddly enough, the air freshener hanging from the rearview mirror of inspector Collets car. The air freshener is made in the shape of Gabriel. Gabriel is known to blow his trumpet in the call to duty. In this story Collette is a powerful man in the French police and is called to duty, first in the capture of our main characters, Robert and Sophie, but later on to do what is right and capture the real puppet master Teabing.

Now, let's take a look at our next devious symbol, the poster outside of the elevator in the Louver. This is a poster of Caravaggio's The Boy in the Well. This is, as we later find out, in reference to Langdon's anxiety about getting into the elevator. Further on in the story we find out that Langdon himself was trapped in a well as a child. This explains his obvious aversion to enclosed spaces.

Another interesting clue is that of the marquee in front of the American Embassy, seen when Robert and Sophie are being chased by the police. It is that of Victor Hugo's Les Miserables. This seems to have a double meaning to it. The first is the obvious reference to the misery brought to our hero and heroin by the dramatic turn of events that has led to their chase. The other, and less obvious, reference is to Victor Hugo himself. It is believed that he too may have been a member of the Priory.

For our next mysterious reference we move on to the rose in the alabaster jar. In an explanatory flash back we see several knights enter a temple, only to find nothing but a rose in an alabaster jar. This is a symbolic reference to Mary Magdalene herself. This symbol actually works for her on two levels. Historically, the five pedaled rose is her identifying symbol, seen throughout the movie, especially on the cover of the wooden box containing Leonardo's cryptex. However, this symbol further points to Mary by the presence of the alabaster jar. If you are up on your New Testament, you will remember that the salve that Mary used to anoint Jesus' feet with, using her own hair was contained within an alabaster jar.

Our next hidden reference, although in plain sight, is a little tricky to ferret out. When our hero enters the Swiss bank, there is a logo inlaid on the floor. This logo incorporates the symbol for PHI, being a mathematical symbol derived from the Fibonacci sequence; which is a sequence of numbers that when the previous two numbers are added together equals the next number i.e. 1,1,2,3,5,8,13,21. This also has a double meaning for Sophie, for not only did her grandfather use these numbers to gain her attention at his murder scene, but as we later discover, it is also her account number at the bank.

Our next two hidden symbols are minor ones, nevertheless mentionable. One is a mural painted on the ceiling at Opus Dei This mural, Aringarosas Hell, is a reference to the fallen angels in our story, the Bishop and Silas. The two men of God, or soldiers of God if you will, who do the questionable, and sometimes downright sinful in His name; making them fallen angels in their own right. The other symbol is a bust of Janis, the twofaced God that we see in Teabing's house. This is simply a reference to Teabing's own two faced puppet mastery in the story.

One of the most multileveled symbolic clue is the statue of the Knight Templar seen as Langdon is about to enter Newton's tomb. On the first level it is obviously a reference to the Knights Templar who were the protectors of the Holy Grail. It also seems to point toward Langdon's coming face to face with Newton who was himself not only a knight, but it is believed that he was once a Grand Master of the Priory of Sion as well. This could also be said to be a reference to Langdon's own Grail quest. Once again we see the immerging pattern of the clues pointing toward what is going to happen next.

Finally, we come to our last hidden symbol, or clue, the stained glass window at Rosalyn Temple. This amazing glass work depicts a family tree. Here again, we have a double meaning. One is that of Sophie's coming home to her family, and two, of her link to the royal lineage of Jesus Christ and Mary Magdalene.

I for one found the placement of these hidden symbols, and clues, to be most fascinating, and I hope that revealing these symbols and clues will help you to better understand the story as well as bring a heightened depth to the entertainment value of the movie.