The Symbols
Summary of results of previous enquiry. _The Medieval Stage_. Grail
romances probably contain record of secret ritual of a Fertility cult.
The Symbols of the cult—Cup, Lance, Sword, Stone, or Dish. Plea for
treating Symbols as a related group not as isolated units. Failure to
do so probably cause of unsatisfactory result of long research.
Essential to recognize Grail story as an original whole and to treat it
in its _ensemble_ aspect. We must differentiate between origin and
accretion. Instances. _The Legend of Longinus_. Lance and Cup not
associated in Christian Art. Evidence. The _Spear_ of Eastern Liturgies
only a _Knife. The Bleeding Lance_. Treasures of the Tuatha de Danann.
Correspond as a group with Grail Symbols. Difficulty of equating
Cauldron-Grail. Probably belong to a different line of tradition.
Instances given. Real significance of Lance and Cup. Well known as Life
Symbols. The Samurai. Four Symbols also preserved as Suits of the
Tarot. Origin of Tarot discussed. Probably reached Europe from the
East. Use of the Symbols in Magic. Probable explanation of these
various appearances to be found in fact that associated group were at
one time symbols of a Fertility cult. Further evidence to be examined.