Holy Grail Books Of Modern And Ancient Time

By Maria Peterson


As far as spanning the course of history, one of the most famous conquests of all time is the search for a religious object. In fact, the numerous holy grail books now on the market often focus on this search. Whereas, there have also been a number of comedic and dramatic films approach the topic.

While most associated with the legend of the Fisher King still believe the wafer to be the actual object which provided everlasting life, others believe it to be the grail. In either case, the cup which held the wafer is what most scholars, scientists and theologians hope to find. For, whether having magical or mystical powers or otherwise, the chalice is most likely worth a great deal of money.

Whether Monty Python and the Holy Grail, Indiana Jones or The Da Vinci Code, the cup holds an incredible amount of fantasy and wonder. For, not only is it believed that anyone whom drinks from the cup shall have everlasting life, it is also believed to have held the blood of Christ during the crucifixion. As such, while the narrative has been changed over the years, the basic beliefs in relation to the chalice still remain.

The major attraction to the relic has expanded a great deal throughout Western art forms and literature, all which were inspired by different legends. Whereas, the trek of Joseph of Arimathea to the British Isles began King Arthur's interest in locating the holy object. After which, the grail became a large part of the legends related to King Arthur and the Knights of the Round Table.

When people discuss the object today, it is often described as some type of vessel depending on whose telling the story. In some cases, it has been described as a chalice, stone, dish or similar item. Most often, whichever item one describes holds magical powers such as the promise of eternal youth, abundance, never ending happiness or eternal life to whomever holds it at the time.

In Arthurian literature, the story tends to change over the course of time. In fact, there have been so many translations and adaptations, it can sometimes be difficult to know whether the story being told is even about the chalice. Whereas, the stories of a stone falling from the sky or a cup which held Christ's blood seemed to have been the most prominent among King Arthur and the Knights of the Round Table.

The first text to be discovered about the object appeared in the Conte de Graal, or the Story of the Grail which was written by Chretien de Troyes. The text, a French verse, illustrates the story of the Holy Grail from the time of Christ on the cross up to King Arthur's death.

The writings of Chretien and claims of Count Philip provided the original verse of the text. The text which describes the object as a dish or bowl rather than a cup is believed to be the first writing discovered in relation to the holy relic. As such, it is believed that the grail was a magnificent object which was presented during a procession which was attended by Perceval. Although, there is some controversy as to whether the chalice or the content, being a wafer which healed the Fisher King is the actual sacred object.




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