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Ancient mysteries originate in the ancient or medieval world but the mystery may continue into modern times.

The nature of ancient mysteries

Ancient mysteries are often featured prominently in a culture's folklore, mythology or legends. They can include artifacts, structures, sites, or people with which mysterious events are associated. The ancient mystery can be how the object or site came to be, its mysterious properties, what has become of it, or other open historical questions. Ancient mysteries can be an integral part of a nation's psyche as England's King Arthur and Merlin are in Arthurian legend, which is also known as the Matter of Britain, or as the Egyptian pyramids and the Sphinx are in Egypt. As argued by the noted mythologist, Joseph Campbell, and the esteemed psychiatrist, Carl Jung, the intrinsic value of studying these aspects of a country's mythology and folklore lies not in the actual veracity, or lack thereof, of the legend, but in the understanding of the psyche of individuals and the culture itself.

Ancient mysteries

  • Alchemy
  • Ark of the Covenant
  • Atlantis
  • Baphomet
    • Baphomet is an idol of uncertain origin, depicting a god, devil, or demon. The Knights Templar were accused of heretical worship of Baphomet.
  • Berenger Sauniere
  • Camelot
  • Cathars
  • de Molay curse
    • It is said that Jacques de Molay cursed Philip IV of France and his descendants from his execution pyre. And indeed, the rapid succession of the last direct Capetian kings of France between 1314 and 1328, the three sons of Philip IV, led many to believe that the dynasty had been cursed – thus the name of "Cursed Kings" (Rois Maudits). Also, de Molay apparently challenged the King and Pope Clement V to meet him before the judgment of God before the year was over. Philip and Clement in fact both died in 1314. Interestingly, the 300 year old Capetian dynasty collapsed during the next 14 years.
  • Egyptian pyramids
    • While it is generally agreed that pyramids were burial monuments, there is continued disagreement on the particular theological principles that might have given rise to them. One theory that has gained a degree of acceptance is that they were designed as a type of "resurrection machine." The Egyptians believed the dark area of the night sky around which the stars appear to revolve was the physical gateway into the heavens and one of the narrow shafts that extends from the main burial chamber through the entire body of the Great Pyramid points directly towards the center of this part of the sky. This suggests the pyramid may have been designed to serve as a means to launch the deceased pharaoh's soul directly into the abode of the gods.
  • Et in Arcadia Ego
  • Freemasonry
    • Freemasonry is a fraternity that claims antiquity. Its members are joined together by shared ideals of both a moral and metaphysical nature and by a common belief in a Supreme Being (the Great Architect of the Universe). Despite what many believe, Freemasonry is not a religion, secret society or an occult group, but a spiritual organization. Freemasons use Masonic symbols and an initiatory system of degrees to explore ethical and philosophical issues. Freemasonry often calls itself "a beautiful system of morality veiled in allegory and illustrated by symbols."
  • Garden of Eden
  • Green Man
  • Hiram Abiff
    • Hiram Abiff serves as a Masonic symbol and is a central figure in Masonic legend and Freemasonry. He is also known as the widow's son. The exact historical origins of Hiram Abiff remain a mystery.
  • Holy Grail
  • Joseph of Arimathea
  • King Arthur
  • Knights Templar
  • Knights Templar and Freemasons
    • Some historians and authors have tried to draw a link from Freemasonry and its many branches to the Knights Templar, with some Masonic organizations claiming a direct descent from them. This alleged link to the Freemasons remains a point of debate among scholars. Author John J. Robinson makes a case for the Templar/Freemason connection in his book "Born in Blood: The Lost Secrets of Freemasonry."
  • La Merika
    • The theory that America was discovered centuries before Christopher Columbus by the Knights Templar, and that the name La Merika (The Star) is what led to the later name of the continent America.
  • Lemuria (continent)
  • Lia Fail
  • Lyonesse
  • Mary Magdalene
  • Masonic architecture and ancient symbols
  • Mayan 2012 prophecy
  • Merlin
  • Mound builders
  • Mu (lost continent)
  • Mystery religions
  • Nazca Lines
  • Noah's Ark
  • Pope Joan
  • Relics attributed to Jesus
  • Rennes-le-Chateau
  • Roanoke Island
  • Robin Hood
  • Rosicrucians
    • The Rosicrucian Order is a legendary and secretive Order publicly documented in the early 17th century, although evidences in literature and monuments, interpreted to be associated to this Order, may be found since the early 14th century. It is generally associated with the symbol of the Rose Cross, which is also found in certain rituals beyond "Craft" or "Blue Lodge" Freemasonry. The Rosicrucian Order is viewed among earlier and many modern Rosicrucianists as an inner worlds Order, comprised of great "Adepts." When compared to human beings, the consciousness of these Adepts is said to be like that of demi-gods. This "College of Invisibles" is regarded as the source permanently behind the development of the Rosicrucian movement. Several modern societies have been formed for the study of Rosicrucianism and allied subjects. However, many researchers on the history of Rosicrucianism argue that modern Rosicrucianists are in no sense directly derived from the "Brethren of the Rose Cross" of the 17th century. Instead, they are considered to be keen followers.
  • Rosslyn Chapel
    • Rosslyn Chapel is a chapel in Scotland that has links to the Knights Templar and the Freemasons. Some believe that it has hidden within it the Holy Grail.
  • Shangri-La
  • Shroud of Turin
  • Solomon's Temple
  • Spear of Destiny
  • Sphinx
  • Star of Bethlehem
  • Stonehenge
    • Stonehenge is a henge and its fame comes not only from its archaeological significance or potential early astronomical role but also in its less tangible effect on visitors, what Christopher Chippindale describes as "the physical sensation of the place," something that transcends the rational, scientific view of the monument. This manifests itself in the spiritual role of the site for many different groups and a belief that no single scientific explanation can do justice to it as a symbol of the great achievement of ancient people and as a symbol of something that continues to confound mainstream archaeology. Some have theorized that it represents the female sexual organs (article from The Observer) or have identified a phallic shape in the Heelstone. Alfred Watkins found three ley lines running through the site and others have employed numerology dowsing or geomancy to reach diverse conclusions regarding the site's power and purpose. Some New Age and Neo-Pagan followers see Stonehenge as a sacred place of worship which can conflict with its more mainstream role as an archaeological site or tourist attraction. Even the role of indigenous peoples in archaeology, rarely applied in Western Europe, has created a new function for the site as a symbol of Welsh nationalism.
  • Ten Lost Tribes of Israel
  • True Cross
  • Virginia Dare
  • Voynich Manuscript

Sources

See also

Ancient mysteries | Ancient history | Folklore | Forteana | Freemasonry | Holy Grail | Knights Templar | Legends | Medieval legends | Middle Ages | Mythology | Religion

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