| Record | OBS-0183 |
|---|---|
| Category | Secret Societies/Groups |
| Status | UNPROVEN |
| Summary | The theory holds that Rosslyn Chapel, built by the Sinclair family, is filled with carvings that encode Templar secrets, including the location of a treasure and esoteric knowledge. Proponents point to specific carvings like the Apprentice Pillar and the 'Arcadia 1398' inscription as evidence. |
| Origin | The idea gained traction in the 19th and 20th centuries, popularized by books like 'The Hiram Key' and the novel 'The Da Vinci Code'. |
| Claimed |
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| Evidence / consensus | Art historians and medievalists interpret the carvings as Christian iconography and typical of the period, with no evidence of encoded Templar secrets. The 'Arcadia 1398' inscription is not verified as original and may be a later addition. |
Sources are external and provided for verification. Listing does not imply the Observer endorses their claims.