Part 2: Why did Dan Brown inculcate Freemasonry into The Lost Symbol?

In a letter to the Ancient and Accepted Scottish Rite Southern Jurisdiction, Dan Brown states that he selected Freemasonry as a central theme for his book because:

"In a world where men do battle over whose definition of God is most accurate, I cannot adequately express the deep respect and admiration I feel toward an organization in which men of differing faiths are able to ‘break bread together’ in a bond of brotherhood, friendship, and camaraderie."

Beyond the admiration from someone outside of our organization, this quote presses on one of the important keys to our Fraternity. In my opinion, Freemasonry has (to use a trite phrase) “stood the test of time” because of the open and accepting principals upon which it was founded. In fact, when taken out of context, Mr. Brown’s first words, “In a world where men do battle over whose definition of God is most accurate,” is a timeless phrase that could be used innumerable times throughout history. And, just as he did in the introduction to Masonry within The Lost Symbol, Mr. Brown fluidly points out one of our most important philosophies in a simple and respectful way.

But, the well-read Dan Brown enthusiast has been exposed to Masonry in earlier novels from the author. In fact, The Craft is mentioned more than a dozen times:

In Angels & Demons (2000):

• Freemasonry is alleged to be the organization where the Illuminati searched for sanctuary
• The Illuminati targets the group of Masons building America as part of their plan to influence the formation of our country
• The tale of Vice President and Brother Henry Wallace who "sold" the design of the Great Seal of the United States to President and Brother Franklin D. Roosevelt is told
• The rule in the late 1990s that all members of British Parliament had to declare their Masonic affiliation is explained
• George Bush (Sr.) is mentioned as a 33rd degree Mason and head of the CIA
  

In The Da Vinci Code (2004):

• The Mason's keystone is associated with the key to the Priory's map to the holy grail
• Masonic rituals are mentioned and the Scottish Rite’s 32nd degree is (mistakenly) referred to as one of the “higher degrees”
• Several famous Freemasons (including Beethoven, Gershwin, Houdini and Disney) are mentioned and then associated to the Knights Templar, Priory of Sion and the Holy Grail
• At Rosslyn Chapel, Mr. Brown mentions the Masonic pillars that adorn every Masonic Lodge, as well as our symbolism and allegory
  

So, you can see that within the course of nine years and three Dan Brown novels, Freemasonry moves from being a victim of the Illuminati’s plot to control the world, to several threads which help weave the complex tapestry of The Da Vinci Code’s plot, and finally climaxes with The Lost Symbol. And, with this brief exercise, it becomes incredibly clear that his interest for our Fraternity extends far beyond the research that he did for The Lost Symbol.
 
If you would like an additional perspective into why Dan Brown specifically selected the Scottish Rite (an “appendant” body of Masonry), I recommend an article by Robert G. Davis - Why the Scottish Rite is the Focus of Dan Brown's Message. Worshipful Brother Davis is an incredible resource for Masonry, and someone whom I greatly admire.
 
In our next installment of “A Freemason’s Read on The Lost Symbol,” we’ll explore exactly what Mr. Brown says about Freemasonry in the latest book, without (hopefully) revealing too much of the plot for our readers that may not have completed the novel.
 
 
Thanks again!
 
Daniel