Your guide to the region's top events, mixed with some commentary about life, media, gossip and politics in Washington, DC.

The Lost Symbol: Dan Brown’s Pentagram City

Dan Brown’s new book—set in Washington, and coming out today—is expected to feature another secret society with an elaborate history and illustrious membership: the Freemasons.

By Sophie Gilbert

Dan Brown’s new book features a hidden Washington—does the city’s design conceal strange secrets?

3. You can’t judge a book by its cover—or can you?

The cover of the US edition of The Lost Symbol shows the Capitol ensconced in a red pyramid marked at the top with a seal (an “eye” reference); the background is covered with ancient lettering or code. The British version also shows the Capitol, but above it floats a mysteriously shaped key marked with the Freemason logo. Given that the working title of the book was The Solomon Key, one assumes that a “key” will be featured at some point, but will it be a physical or metaphysical one?

Blogger and symbol researcher Wayne Herschel speculates that the Key of Solomon is a forgotten Hebrew puzzle with links to astrology. King Solomon, a mighty leader in Judaism and Islam, reputedly had powers over demons. The Lesser Key of Solomon, a text that emerged in the 17th century describing how to summon and control demonic forces, refers to pentagrams and triangles.

4. It’s written in stone.

Don’t forget Washington’s obelisk. In ancient Egypt, obelisks symbolized the sun god, Ra, as did the all-seeing eye atop a pyramid. According to Herschel, the release date of The Lost Symbol—September 15—is no accident: That’s the forgotten early-Christian holy day celebrating the rising of the sacred cross and a day on which the Washington Monument will act as an important astrological marker. (There’s some mystery about what it might point to, but Herschel thinks it could be related to the Star of David.) Brown has hinted that September 15 has symbolic significance, and the similarity between Egyptian and Masonic symbols makes it likely the monument will play a part in his novel.

Despite lots of trying, cryptologists still haven’t cracked the code embedded in the CIA’s “Kryptos” sculpture. Photograph courtesy Central Intelligence Agency

5. The CIA is involved.

As with all great conspiracies, the CIA has to be involved. The hint so far appears to revolve around the Agency’s “Kryptos” monument, a swirling sculpture on the CIA campus whose code it has taken cryptologists decades to break. Made by American artist James Sanborn (perhaps a Mason, too?), it has various codes hidden in it—and despite the work of more than a thousand code breakers, the fourth of the sculpture’s four segments is still unbroken. One of the three sections that have been uncoded refers mysteriously to map coordinates about 150 feet south of the sculpture in Langley. There are hints that still deeper codes hide in the parts of the sculpture that have been broken so far.

Lastly, the original cover of The Da Vinci Code made two apparent references to the sculpture, even though the book didn’t refer to “Kryptos.” In one instance, the coordinates already solved appeared with a slightly altered number. When asked about them, Brown explained, “This discrepancy is intentional.”

In short: “Kryptos” is a symbologist’s and conspiracy theorist’s dream plot device.

Other things to look for:

Doubleday has published a number of clues about the book on Twitter. These include Virginia Dare, the first child born in the Americas to English parents; the Tytler Cycle, a theory propounded by Scottish historian Alexander Tytler that historical cycles repeat; the Pentagon; German spy/ringleader Frederick Duquesne; Jesus Christ; and a compass.

This article first appeared in the September 2009 issue of The Washingtonian. For more articles from that issue, click here. 

More>> Capital Comment Blog | News & Politics | Party Photos

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Why aren’t you invited on digs?
Why has scholars ignored your silly rants?
Your scroll that you deciphered is in a British museum and your in South Africa with no authorization or certification to even ask to touch the case that holds the scroll. So from a bedroom computer you can make a detailed study of ancient artifacts. How quaint.

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I know it’s two years after the fact but I just finished Lost Symbol and I must weigh in on this book. I am a big Dan Brown fan but I see him more as a peer than an iconic writer. This ending is pretty diluted and unrealistic if you ask me. Peter Solomon has just killed his son, his hand is missing and has been tortured for days. It sure seems odd that he would be so cognizant and cheery while taking the hoodwinked Langdon on his discovery of our big payoff ending which fizzled like limp cauliflower. The sister, Langdon and Peter had all been pretty messed up to be so quickly recovered and running around DC late at night when Peter should be down at the police station answering questions as to why he wasted his son. Is it just me, or is Dan trying to write the Hollywood screenplay before he even finishes what could have been a great ending?

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Tom horn launched a Grand National Cipher Challenge..But that was for publicity the Challenge itself was a scam to get ppl to buy two of his books. And the post above signed Donna is on Tom Horn, staff.

Posted by: kathy lundy, Sep 23, 2010 05:26:47 PM

Wayne Herschel...He has the "Real" Info. I ran across his site sometime ago. I would love to have that book but can’t afford it...:-(

Posted by: Debbi, Jan 03, 2010 03:22:27 PM

Well, I guess Jesus was a Mason then because he didn’t share the "Mysteries" with just anyone either. Cast not your pearls before swine.
Can you imagine some of these gangster rapper celebrities with "dibs" on the ancient mysteries?

Posted by: Deb, Jan 03, 2010 03:18:49 PM

Dan Brown will never write a book about the Jesuits; because he can not out his masters. The Jesuits & Vatican are the master of the masters. Dan Brown will never admit that the higher degrees of Freemasonry were created by Rome.

Posted by: UlsterRebel, Nov 01, 2009 02:47:24 PM

Dan Brown’s “Lost Symbol” leaves you with your hunger not filled and your thirst not quenched. If you are looking for an answer (the hidden meaning in the Bible), I recommend reading the "Bible Enlightened". But I have to warn you: it is not a novel, it is a reference book in two volumes (actually there is also a third one with about 1000 illustrations to the text of the other two volumes).

Posted by: Chris, Oct 16, 2009 10:16:50 AM

Foul...The Symbol is not what it appears, I smell a rat. Dan Brown has either been bribed, black mailed, or simply replaced. Of the many discrepancies which a skilled literary critic can identify that do not align with Dan Brown’s philosophical point of view as a writer has to do with the Catholic Church. The extremist Opus Dei who were in cahoots with the CIA in the later part of the 20th century now need to distance themselves from the CIA in order not to be implicated in their vicious crimes. The only character representing the Church in the book is a ’poor little old man’... which will now make it ’okay’ for the movie to be made at the Vatican... mark my word. The movie will most probably also coincide with the long overdue transparency about the content of certain ancient documents in the possession of the Catholic Church (which may align with Masonic symbology) It’s the tragedy of our times that organizations like the Opus Dae and CIA have stooped so low.

Posted by: Beatrice Knowle, Sep 30, 2009 10:42:59 AM

I got a bit of illumination (and a bit of confusion) about the Freemasons by visiting this place near DC: http://www.examiner.com/examiner/x-17701-North-American-Destinations-Examiner~y2009m8d26-Washington-Masonic-Memorial. I’m not sure I understand the Masons any better, but I’m less likely to believe much of the speculation.

Dugan

Posted by: Dugan, Sep 21, 2009 07:52:58 AM

This book is full of lies, I was a mason and got out because it wasn’t what I thought. But he describes as facts things that are completely false, I would agree if he would’ve say the right things. But drinking wine from a skull? I have respect for his other books but this one makes me laugh as I read his "facts".

Posted by: Ed, Sep 17, 2009 11:23:15 AM

We are not a secret society. the only "secret" is the initiation itself. The reason that is, is so that when the new person experiences this it will be awesome. Would you go see a movie if you knew what was going to happen already? And if you did would it be as enjoyable. All masonry is about is using alegories to teach men to be better, and to forge brotherly love. The book may be fun to read, but it is fiction, there isnt any truth to all the conspiriacy theories.

Posted by: Texas Mason, Sep 14, 2009 08:20:11 AM

One of those temple crypts contains the remains of Confederate General Pike who was convicted of treason by the US.

Posted by: Clyde H Stagner, Sep 14, 2009 07:46:37 AM

One of those temple crypts contains the remains of Confederate General Pike who was convicted of treason by the US.

Posted by: Clyde H Stagner, Sep 14, 2009 07:44:28 AM

Conspiracy n. a plan involving two or more to commit an illegal or harmful act

Theory n. a belief, policy, or procedure proposed or followed as the basis of action.

Asking all those people who jerk their knees and utter the "conspiracy theory" whenever anything involving "unknowns" or "mysteries" crop up: What are all the crime to which you refer?

It is *human nature* to conspire. Apart from the deaths of prominent people who question the establishment (when its always a "lone gunman", a "solitary nut", an "unexplained suicide" or a "light plane crash") a major crime almost always involves two or more people, thus a conspiracy. People conspire all the time.. ask any police department! And don’t forget the "19 arabs who allegedly attacked us in 9/11/2001: thats a conspiracy theory as well (and a very wild one at that.

Posted by: Bloggulator, Sep 06, 2009 12:53:52 PM

i agree with BROWN FAN get over yourselfs it is just a book!! he must be doing something right to have a couple of best sellers not to mention the movies
DANS THE MAN

Posted by: JO, Sep 03, 2009 04:09:11 AM

People, get over it. It is a fiction book. Get it? I can’t wait to read it at the beach. I look forward to enjoying every page.

Posted by: Brown Fan, Sep 01, 2009 04:52:31 PM

And the whole World will wonder after the Beast .

Posted by: J. HATTINGH, Aug 31, 2009 04:19:05 PM

Washington DC is controlled by the Jesuit General who controls both the Highest Degreed Masons in the world via Knigh of Malta. Ted Kennedy was one and they just got much millage from the Kenndy Clan in taking over DC. Dan Brown is a boyscout insofar as the Conspiracy goes. American Fascism is on the march via Jesuit General order the Obamanation to do his beckon calling. Again, Brown is a sidetrack. Heis a know nothing keeping the gullible publicinformedso they believe. Its all smokeandmirros folks.

Posted by: Ed Largy, Aug 30, 2009 09:42:21 AM

Oh yes, now that "Twitter" is available, all the mysteries of the world will be revealed. Roll eyes now.
The pentagram layout of DC has been known for 200 year now! Dan Brown is simply cashing in on what were formerly only labeled as "Conspiracy Theories". Now suddenly, it’s "mainstream" true & profitable. Ugh! I wanna puke!
Why do you think the White House (in it’s first location) was allowed to be burned by the British? It hadn’t been located @ the proper place in the pentagram, that’s why. But how do you correct such a huge error? You pretend the old one is destroyed by the "enemy", then it’s no problem. Makes you wonder what satanic meaning will be behind what replaces the twin trade center towers.

Secret Mysteries of America’s Beginnings
Documentary movies that are award winners.
http://www.cuttingedge.org/detail.cfm?ID=1985
Learn the whole story!

Posted by: Ho hum, bored now!, Aug 29, 2009 12:49:40 PM

Sophie, I nearly choked from the smoke screening at the mason site you referenced to. Get real, it’s a Secret Society. They don’t even tell the truth to their underlings in the lower levels (Morals and Dogmas, Albert Pike)

Posted by: Iggy, Aug 29, 2009 12:10:52 PM

How long will the world lick the lies of the devil. Dan Brown is nothing else but the greatest authour of lies.

Posted by: J Samuel, Aug 29, 2009 04:11:48 AM

This is old news. Dan Brown needs to stop plagerizing and start using the brain God gave him.

I also agree with Donna... check out Tom Horn. He’s the one with the truth about this. Even Texx Marrs has talked about this. Oh and don’t forget Jordan Maxwell.

Posted by: JJ, Aug 28, 2009 03:17:21 PM

I will concur with Donna that everyone check out Tom Horn’s blog. Dan Brown is a misrepresentation artist. For one, you will find the "eye of Providence" no where in the Bible. It is not Christian.

Jane, your comment that conspiracy theories encourage hate is made out of pure ignorance. You may not believe in them, but to suggest that is obsurd. Of course, people are making absurd statements all the time, so don’t feel special. I used to laugh at conpsiracy theory. Until I actually did research and quit believing everything I saw on television.

Posted by: Derek, Aug 28, 2009 02:59:44 PM

Dear Jane and Fact Check,
Thanks for your interest in the piece. It was intended to be a round-up of elements that might appear in Dan Brown’s new novel, not an in-depth piece about the architecture and history of the city- that would have to be a book.

That said, like everything it we publish, it was rigorously fact-checked and researched. Please see this link, which references an essay by Freemason Brother Gregory H. Peters about the sacred pentagram:http://www.freemasons-freemasonry.com/pentagram_freemasonry.html

Egyptian symbols, such as obelisks, appear on many historical Masonic documents. You can see an example from the 19th Century on the Freemasonry Wikipedia page.

The all-seeing eye is a Masonic symbol, but like pentagrams, it dates back thousands of years. References to it can be found in ancient Egyptian art, as well as in the Bible.
Best,
Sophie

Posted by: Sophie Gilbert (Washingtonian), Aug 28, 2009 06:58:31 AM

Can’t wait to explore all these places on a DC scavenger hunt. Thanks for all the info...

Posted by: Frank Bullitt, Aug 28, 2009 06:39:23 AM

This is truly shameful -- Why are you feeding into ridiculous conspiracy theories, and why aren’t you able to do simple fact-checking? Re-read what Fact Check said above about the pyramid, the pentagram, and the Washington Monument. Then check it out for yourself. It isn’t hard. All it requires is simple research skills and basic critical thinking skills.

Foolish "satanic-panic" conspiracy theories already have far too many people turning their minds and energies away from real-world problems in order to fear fantasies, fight fictions, and chase imaginary boogeymen. And it seems to get worse every day.

Conspiracy theories aren’t just harmless fun. They are, for more and more people, an addiction, a crutch, and a means of demonizing and scapegoating other people via an overly simplistic, quasi-mystical view of the real world. Conspiracy theories encourage hate and they encourage fear, and promoting them as true sends all too many people’s critical thinking skills spiraling down the toilet.

Where is your sense of responsibility? Apparently it lies with helping Dan Brown sell more books.

Posted by: Jane, Aug 27, 2009 09:55:20 PM

Thanks for the mention of my work in point 4 in the article above.

You left out another exciting part. the new bok covers have been ’deciphered’ and the BBC has already found out about the mysterious Solomon key aspect, the old title that was replaced.

It is now more certain his story will be based around the one and only historical Hebrew Solomon key pictogram puzzle, perhaps once on parchment. It is on record in the British Library and as an archaeoastronomer I was fortunate to decipher the star encryption puzzle on it two years ago.

Astronomers will soon be commenting on the ancient pictogram puzzle on a TV show shortly but because it is the same star map as the Freemason First Degree Tracing board, things have not gone smoothly with my book lately.

This information risks being blocked so I have placed it all on a special website for evaluation.

Washington DC is the same star map... and on the 15th of September at midnight the sky will match the ground while three special stars rise above the Capitol. images available:

http://www.keyofsolomon.net

Posted by: Wayne Herschel - author, Aug 27, 2009 10:41:14 AM

I should point out that it appears the author did little research into this except surfing conspiracy websites. A few facts:

1) The pentagram is not, nor has it ever been, a symbol for freemasonry.
2) The pyramid is not, nor has it ever been, a symbol of freemasonry. Nor is the all seeing eye a exclusively masonic symbol.
3) The Washington monument is not masonic, and there is no connection between obelisk and masonic symbols.

And yes, we all know its fiction. But there are legions of idiots out there who will believe this is true just like they did with the DaVinci code.

Posted by: Fact Check, Aug 27, 2009 10:28:37 AM

I know what the lost symbol is.
eveventura@gmail.com

Posted by: Eve Ventura, Aug 26, 2009 06:29:26 PM

And check out Tom Horn’s blog at http://defenderpublishing.blogspot.com/

Tom is a best selling author and claims to have found the Lost Symbol Dan Brown was searching for (and Herschel) and din’t find. Tom is launching a Grand National Cipher Challenge right after Brown’s book comes out and he is offering a $10,000.00 cash prize plus an "item" to the winner which he claims was central to the founding of the country, is what Dan Brown needs to finish the puzzle, and is over 200 years old.

Donna

Posted by: Donna Anderson, Aug 26, 2009 12:36:02 PM