Da Vinci Code Proof

Why are so many people interested in Da Vinci Code proof? Why are so many readers and movie-goers scouring the Internet for additional clues and evidence to support the historical claims in Dan Brown’s book? Isn’t it just fiction? Isn’t the Ron Howard film just good, old fashioned, high-paced adventure?

Well, maybe some clarification is in order...

Except for pure fantasy such as “Star Wars” and “Lord of the Rings,” all of today’s fiction novelists write in two literary layers -- background and foreground. Background is the historical/geographical/cultural setting of the novel. Whether it’s Clancy, Grisham, Rice, or Brown, fiction writers look to establish credibility in their background through careful research and writing. Foreground is a different thing entirely -- it’s the storyline and characters. When it comes to fictional foreground, the sky’s the limit!

So, why all the hullabaloo about so-called “Da Vinci Code proof?”

The foreground in Dan Brown’s book is fiction. No issues there whatsoever. However, contrary to factual assertions made or implied throughout the novel, the background in Dan Brown’s book is also fiction. That’s the focus of the debate.

In fact, Dan Brown begins his book with a list of background “facts” to set the stage for the fictional foreground. The problem is the “facts” -- the so-called “Da Vinci Code proofs” -- are known half-truths, fabrications, and frauds. Let’s take a look:

Brown’s proof claim: “The Priory of Sion -- a European secret society founded in 1099 -- is a real organization. In 1975, Paris’s Bibliotheque Nationale discovered parchments known as Les Dossiers Secrets, identifying numerous members of the Priory of Sion, including Sir Isaac Newton, Botticelli, Victor Hugo, and Leonardo da Vinci.”

The real facts: The “Priory of Sion” was registered with the French government in 1956 by a man named Pierre Plantard. Plantard was later found guilty of planting forged documents called Les Dossiers Secrets in the Bibliotheque Nationale. It was an elaborate hoax that was clearly exposed during the 1990’s in a series of articles and a BBC documentary.¹

Brown’s proof claim: “The Vatican prelature known as Opus Dei is a deeply devout Catholic sect that has been the topic of recent controversy due to reports of brainwashing, coercion, and a dangerous practice known as ‘corporal mortification.’ Opus Dei has just completed construction of a $47 million National Headquarters at 243 Lexington Avenue in New York City.”

The real facts: Opus Dei is a conservative religious organization within the Roman Catholic Church. Contrary to the novel’s portrayal of shadowy monks, there are no monks in the organization. In fact, the organization is comprised of 97% lay persons who merely believe in a return to a more conservative religious style. For instance, listening to mass in Latin. Yes, they have a facility in New York City, but that’s where the truth ends.²

Brown’s proof claim: “All descriptions of artwork, architecture, documents, and secret rituals in this novel are accurate.”

The real facts: Throughout the novel, references are made to documents such as Les Dossiers Secrets that are known frauds. The so-called rituals come from these and similar documents. The codes and ciphers buried in well-known artwork and architecture are pure fun and fantasy.

Da Vinci Code Proof – There is None When it comes to Da Vinci Code proof, we learn there’s no such thing. Dan Brown’s book and Ron Howard’s film are simply action-packed fictional adventures. The proof claims in the Da Vinci Code are pure fabrications. It’s very easy to establish that the foreground and background in the Da Vinci Code are fiction and fantasy. When all is said and done, any notion of Da Vinci Code proof is gone. What we’re left with is a phenomenal marketing coup pulled off by an author and his publisher.

Da Vinci Code Truth – Learn More!

¹ Laura Miller, “The Da Vinci Con,” The New York Times Book Review, Sunday, February 22, 2004, 23;
Hank Hanegraaff and Paul L. Maier, The Da Vinci Code: Fact or Fiction?, Wheaton: Tyndale House Publishers, 2004, 12.
² www.OpusDei.org