Grail: A Secret History

Traces the evolution of the Grail myth from the prehistoric religious beliefs of our ancestors to the present day. Shows how the ideas of sacred vessels in ancient creation tales flowed into the writings of the Celts. Then the Grail idea entered Western mysticism and Christian theology that produced the first stories featuring the Grail. The Arthurian legends became the chief carriers of the myth during the Middle Ages. Then, the Grail found fresh inspiration from the East as Crusaders came into contact with Islamic culture. From the medieval soc. that were believed to be the guardians of the Grail s secrets to contemporary theories about the chalice as a symbol of the feminine mysteries, this book shows how the Grail has continued to evolve. Illustrations.