Warren Getler is a Washington writer who has researched aspects of Masonic history. Working with Old Town Trolley Tours, he has
proposed a Secret Symbols tour of Dan Brown-related sites in Washington. Cities in Europe where Brown has located scenes from his past best-selling novels have been flooded with tourists eager to see the places mentioned in the stories.
Linda Davidson-The Washington Post
In previous books, Dan Brown has focused on the fraternity of Masons. In Alexandria, the George Washington Masonic National Memorial is the current home of the Masonic lodge where George Washington was a member. Inside the memorial is a giant bronze statue of Washington wearing his ceremonial Masonic apron.
Linda Davidson-The Washington Post
The giant bronze statue of George Washington shows him wearing his ceremonial Masonic apron. The statue is in the main hall of the George Washington Masonic National Memorial in Alexandria.
Linda Davidson-The Washington Post
This image known as "Washington as a Freemason" is on display at the George Washington Masonic National Memorial in Alexandria. It shows Washington holding a ceremonial trowel. Pictured around the border are other famous Masons and Masonic scenes. In the upper left is the Marquis de Lafayette; Andrew Jackson is depicted on the upper right.
Courtesy The George Washington Masonic Memorial
The cover of Dan Brown's new novel, "The Lost Symbol." The contents of the novel remain secret, but the book cover offers up plenty of clues. Pictured is the Capitol dome and a Masonic seal. On the seal, the double-headed eagle, the triangle and the number "33" are references to the Scottish Rite Masons, which have their southern jurisdiction headquarters on 16th Street NW. Also on the
seal, beneath the triangle, is a motto in Latin. The translation: "Order out of chaos."
AP-Random House
On exhibit at the George Washington Masonic Memorial are badges worn by Masonic dignitaries at the centennial of the death of Washington in 1899.
Linda Davidson-The Washington Post
On exhibit at the George Washington Masonic National Memorial is a leather Mason Apron, circa 1780, most likely from France. Stonemasons wear aprons to signify their professions. Freemasons consider their aprons as a "badge" of membership.
Linda Davidson-The Washington Post
The "trestle board" showing an array of Masonic symbols was used as an aid to lecturers giving lessons on the virtues and values encoded in the symbols. Some examples: The all-seeing eye represents God. The letter G, commonly combined with a compass and a t-square, stands for God and Geometry.
Courtesy The George Washington Masonic Memorial Exhibit
The House of the Temple at 1733 16th St. NW is the headquarters of the Scottish Rite of Freemasonry for the Southern Jurisdiction. It was designed by John Russell Pope, who also designed the Jefferson Memorial and the National Archives building. The cover of Dan Brown's new novel, "The Lost Symbol," contains an image of a Scottish Rite seal.
Linda Davidson-The Washington Post
This Sphinx, with eyes wide open,
represents Power.
Linda Davidson-The Washington Post
This detail from the corner of the roof of the House of the Temple on 16th Street NW shows a double-headed eagle, an emblem of Scottish Rite Masons. The double-headed eagle can also be seen in the Masonic seal on "The Lost Symbol" book cover.
Linda Davidson-The Washington Post
A vast array of symbolism adorns the Scottish Rite of Freemasonry temple on 16th Street in Washington, D.C.
Linda Davidson-The Washington Post
The statue of Albert Pike, barely noticed by passers-by in Judiciary Square, depicts one of the most important leaders of the Scottish Rite Masons in the 19th Century. On the banner is the symbolic double-headed eagle, with a triangle and the mystical number 33.
Linda Davidson-The Washington Post
Gallery Credits:
Photo Editor, Producer Troy Witcher
Text Editor David Montgomery
Producer Christian Pelusi
