Every now and then certain types of weather lend themselves to contemplation of far-fetched ideas of the mystical realm. Or at least that’s the excuse I’m giving for why I was in front of Notre Dame Cathedral that morning, shielding my notes from misting rain as I scanned the Portal of the Last Judgement for a secret stone bird.
A stone raven actually, one that according to legend reveals the location of a long-lost and powerful secret of the alchemists.
Going all the way back to ancient Egypt and Mesopotamia, alchemy is a hybrid of chemistry and magic that at times lurked in the shadows of respectable science and at others ran parallel to it. One expert described it as “the art of liberating parts of the Cosmos from temporal existence and achieving perfection which, for metals is gold, and for man, longevity, then immortality…”
Layman’s terms: melt and mix the right elements at precise temperatures and you’ll get a substance that 1) turns any metal into gold and 2) offers the bonus of you never dying. Ever. This magic concoction is known as the Philosopher’s Stone.
Enthusiasts of Harry Potter may recognize this idea: J.K. Rowling included the Philosopher’s Stone in the first installment and even used it in the title, though in the U.S. it was changed to the “Sorcerer’s Stone” in order to dumb things down and increase American sales.
For centuries mad scientists and respectable men alike have sought to decipher alchemical messages encoded in plain sight, supposedly hidden in medieval structures and visible to only the most enlightened of observers. Which brings us (and brought me) in front of Notre Dame to scrutinize its ocean of intricate details. Because I figure I deserve immortality as much as the next dumb American.
Here are a few of the mysteries that were up for contemplation that morning under the mist:
Could these biblical effigies be in reality alchemical shepherds in disguise, collaborating to lead us toward vast riches and everlasting life? Are the conspiracy theorists right? Is the cathedral an 850 year-old message board, the beginning of an obscure path of esoteric enlightenment through the medieval streets of Paris?
I came up a bit short of those answers. And I can’t promise that standing under the rain searching for them isn’t a huge waste of time. Having said that, I’m pretty sure if Newton were around he’d be looking into it. So maybe I’ll go back one of these days to take another crack at the alchemist’s riddle.
Before I go, there’s one last wrinkle to this story that spices things up a bit: I’ve since learned of another symbol that throughout time has represented the ability to transform metal into gold (one of the Philosopher’s Stone’s key properties). And not only is there one of them attached to the central portal, but it seems to be pointing curiously in the same direction as the fingers of the apostle and the angel. What’s the symbol?
Well first you have to prove yourself worthy of the quest, of course! Go back up to the beginning of this post: the answer is spelled out by the first letter of each of the first five paragraphs. The alchemists aren’t the only ones who can encode a message after all. :-)
Cue movie soundtrack crescendo…
afrenchfryeinparis.com 
Reblogged this on Windows into History (Reblogs and News) and commented:
Suggested reading – what a fascinating article! Absolutely loved reading this. It is important to keep in mind that sculpture is not all about the instructions of the patron. The most interesting aspects of sculpture are often little choices made by the sculptor, which can often betray different motives to the sculptor’s employer. Reblogged on Windows into History.
Thanks so much Roger, glad you enjoyed reading it as much as I did writing it! I appreciate the kind words and the reblog. Have a great day!
Flamel was indeed alive around the time of its building an its very suspect to know he helped a lot of churches an in fact he said he did not have painted ect in his own church ect what the first matter is but he never did say that any of the others he helped did not have it on them. That eagle with the book could mean the white eagle stage. I find it dtrange too that the staff of hermes when looked at alcemicaly the two snakes could mean a condenser coil. The middle an old alcemy furnace called a kertokis. The middle of the staff is the middle pillar. The two energys become one in perfection.
Hi I’m Shreya!
Love the post. You have great content on your blog. Looking forward to reading more of your posts.
I am relatively new to the blogging forum so please feel free to visit my blog and leave some feedback if you even find the time.
Enjoy your summer.
Smiles,
Shreya xx
Oh Co, you’re best Goonie map adventure ever!
Yep this was a pretty fun one, it had been brewing for a while now. Glad you liked it!
Fantastic article. Had my attention all the way through! Even had me decoding!!
Yes! Then I did my job. :-) Thanks for leaving a comment Teresa, glad you enjoyed it!
BRAVO!! You’ve still got the magic touch, Corey — this post is pure gold! Gratuitous punning aside, thank you for this wonderful peek into some of the hidden symbolism in Notre Dame’s sculptures. I do look forward to your follow-up post, in which you announce that you’ve unlocked the secret and can now turn any material (compost! phalanges!!) into gold. I do hope you’ll remember me when you’re rich and immortal. :)
PS: BRILLIANT touch with that “first letter of the first five paragraphs” clue.
Thanks Heather! You’re fantastically generous with your kind words, as usual. :-) I had a lot of fun writing this one so I’m glad you appreciated it. It feels nice to resurrect the blog again, although I’m reminded right away of just how darn time consuming it is! Hope you’re well. When will we see you Paris again?
You’re darn right it’s time-consuming! I’ve toyed with shutting off the comments, because it can be as time-consuming to read them and respond as it is to right. But then I always remember that my favorite part of this whole thing is interacting with readers and other bloggers. Hope you’re finding the same. As for a return to Paris: the fates are favoring sometime late this year. I’ll be in touch with deets. :-)
Corey – fantastic article that i will share on our FB page. If you have time July 9/10 perhaps we can grab a coffee [or wine] would be great to meet. Thanks
Hi Ralph, thanks for the kind words and for sharing on FB. Sure let’s try to grab a coffee while you’re here.
Thoroughly enjoyed this article, especially your eagle eye! Will be back in Paris in October and will go look at Notre Dame with fresh insights.
Eagle eye, nice one! I could’ve used that pun in title come to think of it. That’s great that you’re coming to Paris, how exciting! Thanks for commenting Wanda.
What a great read, and yes ! I got the answer, it has a hooked beak hehee! Really looking forward to your next post!
Thanks Andrea, glad you enjoyed it. So happy to have appreciative readers, it keeps me motivated to continue writing. Thanks for commenting I appreciate it.
Corey, you certainly know to captivate and entertain! I loved the whole post and found your hidden message. And now I want to go ogle the Cathedral again!
Oh thanks for the nice comment Melissa! Thrilled to have you as a reader.
Reading the runes, or deciphering The Da Vinci Code, you’re right about ancient architecture and the subtle ways that hidden meanings were incorporated into the stonework. No such possibilities with the clinical cleanliness demanded of modern architecture.
True Maureen, modern buildings don’t seem to have the same mystique, do they? Maybe we need to wait a few hundred years for them to get interesting. :-) That’s for commenting and take care.
Love this! I love standing in front of Notre Dame and getting lost in wondering what could be interpreted by the sculptures. Wish I could do it more often!
Thanks Bean! Still, after five years as a resident, I’m always drawn to the cathedral. They just don’t build ’em like that anymore. Have a great day!
Very clever. Loved it! I have soooo many photos of Notre Dame. Sacre Coeur, too. And Chartres, (OK, not in Paris), and unfortunately, all on slides. As you know, Paris is simply paradise for anyone with a love of art and architecture, so this was a treat. Since you came from the U.S., did you know that one of the country’s, (maybe the world’s), largest cathedrals is actually in Newark NJ? Sacred Heart Cathedral, building started in 1899. Unfortunately, it’s not surrounded by Paris.
I’ll be back – loving the tours. Jeanne
I came across a book in the early nineties that suggested that there was a message written in symbols in the wall of Norte dame , I lent the book out and never got it back . I don’t suppose you have ever come across it ? I am having trouble locating it
Hi Alain, all I can think of is a famous work written by Fulcanelli. Otherwise I’m afraid I wouldn’t know. Best of luck tracking it down!
The Philosopher’s Stone was discovered in 2012. Here you maybe enlightened. Compare with the Truth here. .Best https://www.facebook.com/OnePhilosopherStone/
Well that was good! I am so fascinated now that I’m wondering what happens next?? Did they find the stone under the beak or did they fly to the USA?? I swear this is like the Series The OA on Netflix… next I’ll been flying the world looking for pieces to a puzzle that’s probably already solved…
I’m glad you enjoyed this read, thanks for the comment! I like when history can excite the imagination with legends like this, and it’s fun to contemplate the details that are related to them.
Ah loved this. Will share it with my Year 6 class on Monday.
So cool, Corey. I’m reading “Paris, The Secret History” by Andrew Hussey and he mentions the “crow” in the main portal of Notre Dame. Can’t wait to look for these sculptural details next time I am there.