The Da Vinci Code Allusions and Cultural References

When authors give shout outs to other great works, people, and events, it's usually not accidental. Put on your super-sleuth hat and figure out why.

Literary, Artistic and Philosophical References

  • Leonardo Da Vinci, Vitruvian Man (8.28)
  • Pablo Picasso, Les Demoiselles d'Avignon (21.6)
  • New York Times Magazine, The Leonardo Cover-Up" (40.18)
  • THE TEMPLAR REVELATION: Secret Guardians of the True Identity of Christ
  • THE WOMAN WITH THE ALABASTER JAR: Mary Magdalene and the Holy Grail
  • THE GODDESS IN THE GOSPELS Reclaiming the Sacred Feminine
  • HOLY BLOOD, HOLY GRAIL The Acclaimed International Bestseller (60.3-6)
  • Georgia O'Keeffe (60.24)
  • Da Vinci, Botticelli, Poussin, Bernini, Mozart, Victor Hugo, Sir Gawain and the Green Knight, King Arthur, Sleeping Beauty, Hunchback of Notre Dame, Magic Flute (61.17)
  • Walt Disney, Cinderella, Sleeping Beauty, Snow White (61.19)
  • Georges de la Tour, The Penitent Magdalene (61.22)
  • Leonardo Da Vinci, Codex Leicester (71.31)
  • Mystery of Sheshach (77.11)
  • King Arthur (92.2)
  • Don Quixote (92.13)

Historical References

  • Caravaggio (Prologue.1)
  • La Guerre d'Algérie (Prologue.26)
  • Father Josemaría Escrivá (2.35)
  • Frances Mitterrand (3.35)
  • Salvador Dalí (3.38)
  • Draco (8.16)
  • Leonardo da Vinci (the whole dang book)
  • King Godefroi de Bouillon (37.6)
  • King Baldwin II (37.17)
  • Pope Innocent II (37.21)
  • Pope Clement V (37.23)
  • King Phillipe IV (37.23)
  • Constantine the Great (55.25)
  • Napoleon (60.37)
  • Atbash Cipher (72.18)

Pop Culture References

  • Eyes Wide Shut, Tom Cruise (74.34)