Dan Brown's Lost Symbol - Circumpunct, Ra, or Circle With a Dot in the Middle?

Submitted by Gen Swart on Mon, 09/28/2009 - 15:54

As any true seeker of ancient wisdom knows, it ain't found in a Dan Brown novel. This is despite the bold claim in the preface to his latest epic, The Lost Symbol:

"FACT: In 1991, a document was locked in the safe of the director of the CIA. The document is still there today. Its cryptic text includes references to an ancient portal and an unknown location underground. The document also contains the phrase 'It's buried out there somewhere.'

"All organizations in this novel exist, including the Freemasons, the Invisible College, the Office of Security, the SMSC, and the Institute of Noetic Sciences.

"All rituals, science, artwork, and monuments in this novel are real."

Brown was asking for it, wasn't he? All over the world, people are now having a ball proving The Da Vinci Code author wrong again on numerous points, from his definition of ancient (200 years, duh!) to his grasp of Washington DC's geography. The Freemasons have even set up a website to fight the lies, although they are more likely to find themselves inundated with applications for membership.

But – despite Brown's leaden, explanation-heavy denouement – much confusion still surrounds the Lost Symbol itself.

Staggering through all 509 pages (spare yourself the misery, try instead the Guardian's parody) reveals the tatttoed maniacal villain was not actually hunting for the lost symbol but the lost word – and, for all good Christians, a simple capital W would have cleared the whole thing up from page 1. Besides, the Lost Symbol was never really lost. Its meaning may have been a little obscure but that's because it has multiple interpretations. Clear as mud? Excellent. Let's proceed.

The symbol in question is what Dan Brown calls a circumpunct. Interestingly, a Google search for the word "circumpunct" turns up only 1480 results (although that is increasing as Brown-noses unthinkingly adopt the word). It appears in no sensible dictionary, such as the OED, or even dictionary.com. In fact, some of its few web pages feature a discussion in the Wikimedia Commons on circumpunct's validity and origins – in the ancient year of, er, 1992. The word, some argue, was first coined by the Brianists, followers of 'Brian the Cyber Prophet', a decidedly dodgy, short-lived religion of the 1990s that adopted the circumpunct as its symbol.

Brown has this to say in his novel: "In the idiom of symbology, there was one symbol that reigned supreme above all others. The oldest and most universal, this symbol fused all the ancient traditions in a single solitary image that represented the illumination of the Egyptian sun god, the triumph of alchemical gold, the wisdom of the Philosopher's Stone, the purity of the Rosicrucian Rose, the moment of Creation, the All, the dominance of the astrological sun, and even the ominscient all-seeing eye that hovered atop the unfinished pyramid. The circumpunct. The symbol of the Source. The origin of all things."

The Lost Symbol's cardboard cut-out hero – Robert Langdon, a professor so wacky and adventurous he refuses to wear ties (look out, Indiana!) – describes the circumpunct as one of the most widely used symbols in history. It has dozens of meanings; in ancient Egypt, he says, it was the symbol for the sun god Ra.

Can we Trust Brown on This?

There are already conspiracy theories surrounding his usage of the symbol (including one incoherently excited site that believes the Freemasons' circumpunct celebrates the same star pictured in a 3500-year-old Egyptian tomb, an assertion that ends up being little more than an advertisement and request for cash).

It is true that the circumpunct symbol has been around for millennia, albeit more often known as "the circle with the dot in the middle". It can symbolise everything from gold in alchemy to a European road sign for city centre. It is commonly used as a solar symbol and reputable sources date this to ancient Egypt, where the symbol has its origins in Ra (or Re), god of the midday sun. In fact, the circle with a midpoint, plus a vertical line is the hieroglyph meaning "sun".

So how did an Egyptian symbol rise to shine again as a token of the ancient mysteries among 21st-century Freemasons in Brown's novel? Langdon's exposition is as follows: "The pyramid builders of Egypt are the forerunners of the modern stonemasons, and the pyramid, along with Egyptian themes, is very common in Masonic symbolism." Very neat. Well done, Brown.

Later in the novel, after the circumpunct is discovered inside the stone box which housed the capstone for a mysterious Masonic pyramid, Langdon briefly mentions one of the most famous images supposedly deriving from the circumpunct – the all-seeing eye over the Great Seal of a United States dollar bill. But mostly the circumpunct is represented in the book in its purest, original form.

This simple symbol has many meanings, often spiritual. The Stanford Solar Center says the circle with a point is the common astrological and now astronomical symbol for the Sun, as well as the ancient alchemical symbol for gold, the perfect metal. This is because the sphere is a perfect shape, representing wholeness, oneness, unity and spirituality.

In her book Life Symbols as Related to Sex Symbolism, Elizabeth E. Goldsmith writes that the dot within the circle dates to ancient times and may have typified the seed within the egg. "This is the 'Orphic egg', a symbol of the universe whose yolk in the middle of a liquid surrounded an encompassing vault, represented the globe of the sun floating in ether and surrounded by the vault of heaven," she writes. How apt then that Ra – worshipped as the great father who created gods and men – should be represented by this symbol.

In Hinduism the midpoint in the circle is called a "bindu" – meaning point or dot – and it's said to signify the spark of male life, the point at which creation begins within the cosmic womb and one becomes many. According to the book Yantra: The Tantric Symbol Of Cosmic Unity the bindu is the "the sacred symbol of the cosmos in its unmanifested state".

It would be interesting to find out where this symbol appears all over the world. In Freemasons' halls, we now know. In the writings of the ancient Egyptians. But where else?

Answers on an e-card, please.

Read 37 comments, or leave your own

About The Author

Gen Swart (follow me:

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Last three pieces by this author:

Ancient Africans Were World's First Pyrotechnic Experts | Beads: Ritual and Ornamentation – What Africa's Khoe-San were wearing 77,000 years ago | Pass me my hand axe: Great Stone Age discoveries in Botswana

Gen Swart is a freelance writer in South Africa, home of the 'Cradle of Humankind'. She studied English literature, history and journalism but was sidetracked by wanderlust and spent the decade or so after graduation travelling, exploring heritage sites on seven continents (yes, there was even a museum in Antarctica).

Comments

Judy Beebe:

Where else indeed?

In 1994 after an out-of-body experience, I was given the gift of symbol interpretation. I was given a 24-symbol alphabet for deciphering symbols.

Within this alphabet, the circle with a dot in the center represents the word KNOW. When you add another circle on the outside, you have the symbol for MAN.

While capturing the meanings of the symbols for the book "The Language of Light," I was repeated told to go look at your EYE. When I did, I saw not only the circumpunct, but the symbol for MAN. Do you remember what the Bible says about the EYE?

So, the circumpunct lives in the eye of every single human on this planet. I would say that makes it rather important.

Sun, 04-10-2009 01:26

Stephen Jackson:

Gen,

A most delightful writing to have stumbled upon. Thank you! Your writing is well informed and judicious, and as such is greatly appreciated.

I always look forward to the release of a new Dan Brown book, not because I expect the book to enlighten me or anyone else on this subject, but because, all the better, the book ignites awareness of and debates on the subject. I have been a Mason for over 20 years and have spent most of that time as a student of its symbols, and some years back, became a student of ancient symbology in general.

Ten years ago, when I would attempt to explain my interests to most people, I would elicit either a blank stare of incomprehension, or worse, a flicker of fear as they began to suspect me to be a practitioner of the Black Arts or worse. Now, I merely tell them that my hobby is akin to that of Robert Langdon and they understand instantly what I mean.

As you may hear Dan Brown say at times, it is essential to remember that he is a writer of fiction and that his stories are make believe, touching just enough on such things as to make them mysterious and interesting. No one should think they know a lot about the Holy grail after reading the Da Vinci Code, nor about Masonry from reading the Lost Key. The benefit is the interest generated by these stories, and I believe this to be helpful. Dan Brown takes tidbits of fact or legend as a skeleton upon which to weave a wonderful and entertaining story, and by his popularity, it does seem to be effective. It he, at times, generates controversy with various claims, he does so with the result of selling a great many books. I cannot hold him to blame for this.

I should mention as an aside, that in some ancient languages, such as Phoenician, the word door or portal are the same, and may confer many meanings, including, just a door. Also note that the Phoenix, which is also mentioned more than once in the Lost Symbol, is oddly similar to the word Phoenicia. An accident, perhaps? Both words originate from the Greek Word phoinikeia, meaning red or deep purple.

Thank you again, and I look forward to reading more from you!

Best regards,

Stephen Jackson
Dallas, Texas.

Sun, 04-10-2009 22:43

Gen Swart:

Hi Judy,

So all I had to do was look in a mirror! Thanks for pointing out the obvious :)

Mon, 05-10-2009 16:12

Gen Swart:

Hi Stephen,

Great to meet a real-life Robert Langdon! Have you come across the circumpunct in your studies? I'd be very interested to hear the views of a Mason and symbologist on Dan Brown's "lost symbol".

You are absolutely right about his books igniting debate – a new Dan Brown novel gives both fans and critics something to be passionate about.

Glad you enjoyed the article.

Gen

Mon, 05-10-2009 17:42

Scott Bradley:

To me it looks like a fertilized egg. Which could easily be interpretted as "hope". Am I wrong?

Sat, 10-10-2009 23:56

Scott Bradley:

E Pluribus Unum

(s)

Sun, 11-10-2009 00:35

Colorado Bobby:

Hello folks,

I just finished DB's latest work of wonder, and have been looking at the impact is having on the internet's denizens.

Folks... he is a NOVELIST. Don't you get it... He can write anything he wants. He is NOT a historian, although he incorporates history into his stories. He is not an expert on everything, but he writes an entertaining story. Why do people seek to dissect his work? It is FICTION. What difference doth it make if NW Washington DC is in the SW of his book? It is FICTION. Need I say it again? It is FICTION

Sat, 24-10-2009 03:09

Colorado Bobby:

Are you taking all of your medications? Do the voices say you should hurt yourself or others? This is Fiction.

Sat, 24-10-2009 03:11

Wayne Herschel:

Yes it is a book of fiction BUT it now seems more likely the original Solomon Key plot was replaced with the new fictional puzzles and dull ending.

Dan was probably going to reveal the real Hebrew Solomon Key cipher puzzle, a copy of which is on record in the British library in the manuscript titled clavicula Salomonis.

And here is the thing... it actually duplicates the same thing found on a Freemason historical record at the Bradford University in the UK, has the same star references and beam of light coming down from the star of 'Ra' and Dan Brown was probably stopped in his tracks. It is meaning would shake the foundations of every religion in this world because the message associated with it is... that we are descendant of star visitors!

He apparently reworked his whole book and changed the title... launched a Freemason promotional plot... and even wrote to a Freemason lodge who wanted to celebrate the book with him , and in his own words o his letterhead and I quote:

"hope that the Masonic community recognises The Lost Symbol for what IT TRULY IS... an attempt to reverentially explore the BEAUTY of Masonic Philosophy"

Now if this line alone doesnt sound like he is a Mason then God only knows!

I am the author the Gen Swart ripped off in this article - I published a book on the Ra symbol titled The Hidden Records that has been interfered with in the USA marketplace - I was also trying to raise funds asking for donations to keep this truth alive.

Thanks Gen from a fellow Capetonian for the scathing comments you made where you obviously didnt bother to check to see that the historical documents referencing stars are actually real.

Tue, 27-10-2009 10:19

Zachary North:

About the Point within the Circle, I've found a blog article that could be seen as some kind of conspiracy theory (at least some parts of it), even though it includes some pretty interesting information. It's called "The Real Symbol of the Illuminati", and you can read it here:
http://illuminaticiphers.blogspot.com/2009/08/real-symbol-of-illuminati.html

Mon, 23-11-2009 16:04

Fatih Köroğlu:

Gen a book published in Turkey in 1990s name was APOKALIPSE. It mentions secret symbols before dan brown. The name of the writer is Aydogan Vatandas. He is also a journalist and lives in New York. His email address is aydogan29@yahoo.com. And his face link http://www.facebook.com/photo_search.php?oid=215801666890&view=user#/aydogan.vatandas?ref=ts

He also published a new book about 2000 years old Bible found in southeast of Turkey written by Joseph Barnaba. He says that villagers went to hunting and come accross with an ancient tomb and inside in it a skeleton and a deer skin bible. carbon test proves its age as 2000 years old. and at the end of the bible barnaba says that there are 3 more edition more and draw the map of their places. 2nd edition is near Golan Heights in Israel. 3rd is in saudi arabia and 4th is in northern Iraq, kurdish territory. I think u might be interested with this issue.

sorry for my english. i m a turkish guy beginner at learning english.

Sun, 20-12-2009 19:21

Miran:

Can you buy this book in English, German or Bosnian? I had problems finding anything in any other language than Turkish.
If you know any place where we can buy this book in another language (i.e. English ) I would appreciate it if you could post us a link here.

Thank you, Miran

Fri, 08-01-2010 20:50

Fatih Köroğlu:

I will look for it mate. Pls wait for my reply. U may also send mail to the author as i given above aydogan29@yahoo.com.

Sun, 10-01-2010 22:59

Jonathan :

Gen:

I suggest that you read and study Theodore Roosevelt's "dare greatly" quote. It takes a whole lot more talent and skill to create than to criticize.

Jonathan

Thu, 25-02-2010 00:35

William La Valley:

Actually, the symbol does exist in Masonic Lodges, but in a slightly different form. It has a vertical line on each side and a Bible above it. The Bible is the symbol of illumination, not the Christian or Jewish religion and the lines are thought by some to symbolize the Deacon's rods, which perhaps mark the Sun's position at the summer and winter soltices. The author who set up the site at the University of Bradford site also theorizes that there was a Megalithic Yard, a standard unit of measurement from ancient times, which can be calculated by setting up two rods to view the passage of a star between them.

Mon, 15-03-2010 20:02

Shawna:

The circumpunct symbol is used by Target stores in the USA . . .

Thu, 22-04-2010 06:07

ivan topping:

Dan Brown,has yet again seeded debates across the web with a superbly written book,blending fact and fiction in a concievable tale of adventure.As for the comment left on the dull ending,maybe you should read the beano because the ending simply leaves u to wonder about the complexity of the tale just read.Which simply put is one of the main reasons to read fiction interwoven with fact.The what if that you are left to contemplate at the end.

The circumpunct has many meanings in religious symbology,in christianity the circle means god and the dot represents man as part of god as in made in the likeness of god, to aspire to live worthy and pure life with humility and ultimately it represents at oneness with God.Through time it has meant many things to different religions so your own personal understanding of it will be influenced by your personal beliefs.

Thank you for your insite on this Gen i find the whole realm of symbology intriging but am not well studied on the same,if you could suggest a good book to start on i would be gratefull,thanks agian Ivan

Sat, 18-09-2010 14:15

Anna Kumashov:

No one has touched upon the true power of this symbol. It's relationship to geometry, sacred geometry and its link to masonry. The building of cathedrals etc....... Now there's something to look into. I have been enlightened by this symbol. Get a compass and pencil and start exploring.

Sat, 23-10-2010 21:13

Joan Burkett:

I really enjoyed this book. It made me contemplate the sermons in church that says we are all apostiles of Christ and should live accordingly. What a wonderful idea that is in these times of disrespect and contempt some enjoy espousing.

Sat, 30-10-2010 16:57

Sophia:

Hi Judy

This symbol has become a point of interest to me in the last 8 years due to its insistent surfacing in the public domain. Why is it interesting to me personally? I was born with this symbol on the right middle finger and I remember being at primary school and going up to a teacher in the school yard and asking her what it meant.

at first she thought it was a burn mark and then was surprised on closer inspection it was part of my fingerprint.

who does that make me ? god incarnate or the devil? because this symbol is identified with both entities.

Sophia de Avalon

Wed, 17-11-2010 03:35

Derek Elphick:

Only 1480 references for circumpunct, how many do you need? The book itself is a work of fiction however despite that fact it does provide numerous interesting facts regarding freemasonry, Noetic Science, architecture and history as well as some interesting interpretations of the bible that we could all learn from. I for one found the book immensely entertaining and upon reading The Lost Symbol it's obvious why the book has been so successful. The only reason I can find for someone to deliberately try and belittle it is because they are incapable of obtaining the same amount of success and are jealous of this fact.

Tue, 28-12-2010 15:29

Dick Hirtz:

The circumpunct is an important symbol to all of humanity. It is also known as the Rollo caramel chew.

You can roll a rollo with your friend,

it's chocolate covered caramel from end to end!

Mon, 14-02-2011 04:50

Tanmoy Sarkar:

It’s yet another mystery rockers from Dan Brown called “The Lost Symbol” that will make you experience the thrill of Robert Langdon mystery adventure. Full of actions, application of wisdom and knowledge, fast paced story telling, all the essentials of a successful murder mystery are here in this RightBooks.In collection. Just visit www.rightbooks.in/product_details.asp?pid=9780552161237 to have it today.

Mon, 18-04-2011 11:27

Tanmoy Sarkar:

Mon, 18-04-2011 11:28

Patti Davis:

Mr. Brown has written "The Lost Symbol" as a genuine work of fiction. Trying to equate some of the symbology with absolute truth is about the same as finding homosexual overtones in Mark Twain's novel "Huckleberry Finn." Poor ol' Huck and Jim. Mr. Twain is probably flipping over in his grave at this investigative topic! "The Lost Symbol" is a ripping good novel with enough fact to spark further inquisition. Come on people, enjoy your reading time, use books to discover new avenues for exploration and quit finding conspiricies at every turn. Leave that to the writers!

Mon, 23-05-2011 20:20

Bozrah:

The symbol represents many things.  As with all great clues, it works fractally on both the micro- and macro- scales and everywhere in between.  It is capable of representing stars, geograpgical locations, U.F.Os, portals to other dimensions, etc...  Did you know a circumpunt can be recreated with sound waves?  Eyes, orbit, fire, gold, fertility, etc...  The "circle with a dot in it" has a seemingly never-ending list of things it represents.  This is why it's one of the greatest symbols of all time.  I mean, the wheel was a pretty good invention, just sayin'.  I think there are probably some landmarks that can be viewed as a circumpunct from an arial view as well.  I know I have a couple theories on this symbol that stem from dreams.  I love the subject of symbolism, I just seem to be blessed with a natural gift for seeing pictures and shapes in a cool way.

Wed, 17-08-2011 20:04

sveta51:

Fri, 23-09-2011 08:00

sveta51:

Fri, 23-09-2011 08:00

sveta51:

Fri, 23-09-2011 08:00

sveta51:

Fri, 23-09-2011 08:00

sveta51:

Fri, 23-09-2011 08:00

sveta51:

Fri, 23-09-2011 08:00

sveta51:

Fri, 23-09-2011 08:01

Mobil Keluarga Terbaik Di Indonesia:

While capturing the meanings of the symbols for the book "The Language of Light,"  I was repeated told to go look at your EYE.  When I did, I saw not only the circumpunct, but the symbol for MAN.  Do you remember what the Bible says about the EYE?

Mon, 26-09-2011 17:23

rina:

The only reason I can find for someone to deliberately try and belittle it is because they are incapable of obtaining the same amount of success and are jealous of this fact

Tue, 27-09-2011 02:55

žogi:

Awesome post!

Thu, 29-09-2011 14:02

pinketted:

ok. so i have a friend with this tattoo............ what does taht mean for him... i have spoken to him and he has told me that he has these serious spells of anger.... he can go from 1-200 instantly if he is angry with someone.... does the tatoo have anything to do with that?

Fri, 04-11-2011 07:21