What is the Holy Grail?
The Holy Grail is the wooden cup that was used at the Last Supper. After the crucifixion, it was used to hold the blood of Christ. It was brought to England by Joseph of Arimathea, who was escaping persecution; and was eventually buried underneath Glastonbury Tor.
Is that really true?
The burial under Glastonbury Tor is a long held theory, but sadly one which lacks compelling evidence. That’s not to say it isn’t true. There are reasons to doubt it, but it might be true nonetheless. We just can’t be sure either way, without digging underneath the Tor.
There are alternative claims in support of physical objects found across the centuries. They include the Holy Chalice in the Cathedral of Valencia and the Antioch Chalice in New York’s Museum of Modern Art. These are but two of many. Are either of these the real Holy Grail?
An altogether alternative theory, was proposed in Dan Brown’s ‘The Da Vinci Code.’ That theory says the Holy Grail is a person, a modern day descendant of Jesus, brought up close to Rosslyn Chapel in Scotland. That might seem far fetched, but it has a thread of logic.
There is also a cup found in Rosslyn Church before the book was written. Is that the real Holy Grail?
There are modern techniques which can help us assess the validity of any items already found. Many don’t fit the right historical period. But even if they do, the evidence is still inconclusive. The honest answer is that we don’t know what there Holy Grail is, where it is, whether it’s already been found and whether it’s figment of Medieval imagination. All this uncertainty might dampen the spirits of grail seekers. However it hasn’t. It’s precisely why people continue onwards with their own searches.
Religious necessity and creative storytelling
We know that sometimes people make stories up, or embellish them to make them more sensational. Historians have the difficult task of separating the fact from the fiction, like a historical game of ‘Would I lie to you?’ Are any of the grail theories affected by this embellishment? Absolutely yes.
A number of Grail theories emerged at convenient times when a Monastery or chapel desperately needed more visitors, bringing with them vital donations. The Grail claim of Glastonbury Abbey seems likely to be one of these. In short, it’s difficult to trust these stories. And yet they may hold the truth we seek.
There are also the historical storytellers. In the 15th Century, Sir Thomas Malory wrote Le Morte D’Arthur, to tell the story of King Arthur. This work purportedly pulled together all the existing references to King Arthur in English and French literature. This Medieval version of the story seems to have been the first to link King Arthur with the Holy Grail. Was this the product of an irresistible urge to get the best out of two oral traditions, to create one super-myth?
Will the search for the Grail ever end?
In the Western World, the identity of the Holy Grail is perhaps the greatest unsolved mystery. Finding its location is perhaps the longest and most elusive historical search. The real Grail would help to explain whether Jesus really existed. With so many modern day religious doubters, imagine what an impact finding it would have. Just imagine if you were the one to discover its resting place. Wouldn’t that be amazing?
This is why academics, historians and treasure hunters are still searching for this mystical object. That’s why it remains the subject of new books, films and television programmes.
Commitment and Hardship
The quest to find the Holy Grail is ‘wholly’ as well as holy. It’s an ‘all in’ kind of quest, requiring full commitment, long distance travel and personal hardship. As a result, the searching will last for decades if not centuries to come.
We all need a ‘Grail’ journey
In modern life, where working days can seem safe, dull and repetitive, having something wonderful to go in search for, can bring a sense of welcome excitement. We all need some mystery and adventure.
Having a big, elusive challenge to meet fuels us and helps us to raise our game. Starting out on a quest that you might never finish, would give you an exciting journey for life. A ‘grail’ journey can be just as wonderful as the destination you might never reach. You just need to find a purpose or quest you wholeheartedly believe in. We all need one.
What is a modern day Grail journey?
A grail journey could be searching for lost treasure or ancient relics with a metal detector. Or it could be something with a global impact like searching for a new clean form of energy or cure for disease.
A different kind of search would be trying to acquire a copy of a very rare item. The 1938 comic book, Action Comics #1 contains the first appearance of Superman and is known as the “Holy Grail” of comic books. It’s valuable too, worth at least $6M.
A grail journey could be a more personal challenge, such as writing a film script and not resting until it’s made into a movie. Or it might involve long travel, like walking the coastal paths of the UK, or visiting a country beginning with every letter of the alphabet (as far as that’s possible).
What’s your Grail quest?
Are you on a grail quest? Are you already seeking out your version of the Holy Grail? It hass to be something enduring, that keeps you tightly on track, through all the storms and headwinds of life.
If you haven’t set off already, perhaps it’s time to pack.