A SYMBOLIC ANALYSIS OF HOWARD’S MOVIE THE DA VINCI CODE

Abstract

The Da Vinci Code movie is Ron Howard’s master piece which is laden with symbols where the cradle of mystery is arranged in series of symbols. Additionally, the movie sparks controversy relating to a feminine figure, Mary Magdalene. The present study revolves around the symbols which contribute ominously to the controversy that the movie sparks. This study is intended to uncover the symbols related to the Holy Grail and to elaborate the meaning of symbols found in context of the Holy Grail. Moreover, this study aims to demonstrate the relation built between the movie and modern day Christians as its viewers. The descriptive qualitative method is employed in this study, using Charles Pierce’s Semiotic Theory as a theoretical framework. The movie The Da Vinci Code is the primary source. The secondary sources are texts concerning semiotic theory which is employed to study the symbols. The study reveals twelve symbols which are closely related to the controversy that The Da Vinci Code movie sparks. They are Opus Dei, Vitruvian Man, Pentacle, The Mona Lisa, Madonna of the Rocks, Star of David, Rose Line, Rosa Ragusa, Holy Grail, The Last Supper, Cruciform, and Church. The study finds out a contrast between modern Christian beliefs and the hidden message or the signified of the symbol studied i.e. Church signifies sexism. The study suggests future researchers to study symbols using Charles Pierce’s semiotic theory and triadic model of semiotics.