Rosslyn Chapel: The Hidden Mysterious Gem of Scotland

Scotland is known for mystifying its visitors. Whether it be the question of if there really IS a monster in the Loch Ness, or wondering where on earth the thought of creating Haggis came from. Adding to the mystery of Scotland, is the Rosslyn Chapel. From Aliens to the Knights Templar, The Rosslyn Chapel is full of mystery, let’s explore it together. 

This Mystical chapel is located 7 miles outside of Edinburgh and has puzzled historians, movie-makers, and visitors for centuries. Intricately carved stone-work is laced with strange symbolism, ancient cults appear behind every story, and alien activity frequently gets reported by UFO hunters. And this is just a small insight into the fascinating tales behind this building. 

Rosslyn Chapel is one of the most famous religious sites of Scotland, made even more famous in the past few years due to the Da Vinci Code novel by Dan Brown and the movie with Tom Hanks. Rosslyn Chapel is an architectural wonder: although it was never completely finished, it has impressive features such as a sculptured ceiling of stars, roses and a dove with an olive branch ( a symbol of the Knights Templar). The skill and art in the stone carvings is amazing and evidence of a tremendous craft that has now been lost.

Aliens? 

Kicking off with a bang! Whenever something is so intricate, most immediately think aliens MUST be involved. From Stonehenge, to the Pyramids, aliens always seem to be mentioned. The Rosslyn Chapel is not exempt from this belief. There is a belief that the Rosslyn Chapel is a “Stargate” or a doorway to other realms. Now a theory can only go so far, but what if I told you there’s some evidence that is enough proof for some theorist. The area around Rosslyn Chapel has a higher rate of UFO sightings than any other location in the area? Oh, not to mention some of the carvings that can be seen resemble reptilian creatures. Coincidence? You be the judge. 

A Musical Masterpiece Within the Walls of Rosslyn Chapel

Everyone who visits Rosslyn Chapel is bewildered by the complexity of the detailed carvings.

So, it’s no surprise it intrigued a 75-year-old musician and his son, an ex-code breaker. The two of them visited the chapel and immediately knew there was something more to the unique geometry. They spent 27 years trying to crack the code.

And eventually, they had a breakthrough. They saw angels playing instruments and 213 geometric cube carvings accompanying them in the arches. And to their amazement, they found the geometric patterns on the cubes correlated to a Chladni Pitch. These are the patterns sand and liquid makes on a flat surface when certain musical tones are played.

By looking at these for the notes and an angel that points to a musical staff for the key, they managed to understand the architecture as a giant musical score. You can listen to the piece of music for yourself.

You may want to believe this story from the Rosslyn Chapel because it sounds like something straight out of your favourite conspiracy movie. But there’s holes in the theory. You could argue the pattern’s similarity to the Chladni Pitch is coincidental. And how did these architects create this 200 years before the Chladni Pitch was even invented?

Rosslyn Chapel & The Murdered Apprentice

Rosslyn Chapel’s beautiful stonework is incredible – and perhaps the highlight is the Apprentice Pillar. Yet the story behind this pillar isn’t so lovely. It’s actually a little scary. Here’s the condensed version of the tale.

While building the Rosslyn Chapel, the master mason went to Rome for inspiration. He entrusted his apprentice to follow his instructions until his return. Yet the apprentice was an ambitious young man, so he started changing the designs and created this pillar himself.

If you thought this would impress the master mason, you’re gravely mistaken. When the master mason saw that this pillar was far too beautiful to be one of his own creations, he was enraged by jealousy. He struck down the apprentice in rage and killed him.

No one knows if this is fact or fiction. But there’s some evidence supporting the story.

Firstly, there’s a carving of a young man with a mysterious cut on his forehead, possibly signifying the dead apprentice. And secondly, the history books tell us the chapel’s construction was delayed at one point because of a violent deed. Who knows what this talented apprentice could have created if he had continued his life.

Curious Carvings Within Rosslyn Chapel

You can easily spot symbolism in a lot of cathedrals and churches. You can also find the stories of Christ, the Virgin Mary, and all the saints. But in Rosslyn Chapel, there are unexplained motifs.

Firstly, there’s the apprentice pillar. The vine twirling around the pillar that’s at the core of the chapel, undeniably looks like the helix DNA structure that’s at the core of all life. Did the ancient architects know about molecular DNA?

Then there’s a carving of corn. This may sound like the most uninteresting thing within the mighty Rosslyn Chapel, but it’s completely, maddeningly mind-blowing. Because it looks exactly like a cob of corn. And this chapel predates Christopher Columbus’ journey to America. How on earth did Scotland know about America’s indigenous plant life?

Most famously, you find the green man carvings. There are a hundred of these dotted around the Rosslyn Chapel. But why? The green man symbolises the pagan gods that Christianity had banished. So why would this church allow them to be depicted everywhere?

What’s Buried Beneath the Rosslyn Chapel?

Dan Brown’s The Da Vinci Code explored one of the strangest mysteries of Rosslyn Chapel: the conspiracy that connects it to the notorious Knights Templar. It depends how deep you go, but this theory can entangle the crucifixion cross, the blood of Jesus, the head of Jesus, the holy grail, and the knights themselves. It’s a grandiose story that’s as intriguing as it is fun.

Here’s our summary of the Rosslyn Chapel tale.

In 1119, the Roman Catholic Church founded the order of the Knights Templar. They were exempt from all local laws and answered only to the pope; their innovative banking systems throughout the crusades gave them power over 1,000 fortifications; and they were always the first into battle.

It’s even said at the Battle of Montgisard, an army of 500 Templar soldiers defeated an army of 26,000.

During the Crusades, they acquired the remains of the Solomon’s Temple that’s referenced in the Bible. It’s not known what they found there; it could have been the Holy Grail or even the remains of Jesus. But whatever it was, it made them extraordinarily powerful.

The Crusades came to an end in the 13th century because the Islamic armies became more united while communication issues pervaded the Christian factions. The end of this war gave the Templars less purpose, however after 200 years of integration they still had power and authority in towns throughout Europe.

The Templars became a ‘state within a state’, and this created a whole lot of tension. What’s more, King Phillip IV of France hated the Templars because he was in debt to them after using their services in his war against the English.

So, he seized upon the dark rumours that entrenched the Templars and ordered their arrest. It didn’t take him long to have them burnt at a stake for practising indecent kissing, financial corruption, and false idolisation.

But legend says many of the Templars escaped to Scotland with the treasure from Solomon’s Temple. It was a safe place to hide. They weren’t outlawed there, and they owned land. One of their properties was only nine miles from Rosslyn Chapel. There are many theories that support this idea. The St. Clair family had ties with the Templars, Robert the Bruce fought with them, the chapel has a hidden chamber, and there are Templar symbols within the chapel.

Though sadly, there are no solid facts to support these theories. But that doesn’t mean you can’t enjoy the intrigue and excitement that’s offered in The Da Vinci Code, The Holy Blood and the Holy Grail, and other fictional conspiracy books.

Rosslyn Chapel is full of Mysteries and unanswered questions. many have tried to break the “Code” within the chapel walls. But it still remains just as mystical as the day it was discovered. Feeling up to taking on The Rosslyn Chapel yourself? You know where to find me, and I can get you there! 

Source: https://www.rabbies.com/en/blog/5-things-you-never-knew-about-rosslyn-chapel,https://lovetovisitscotland.com/what-is-the-mystery-of-rosslyn-chapel/