Six hidden secrets in Da Vinci's Last Supper painting - how many were YOU aware of?

Renowned artist Leonardo da Vinci’s portrayal of the Last Supper is one of the most celebrated and iconic paintings in the world.

But a historical expert has recently pointed out what he claims are six hidden symbols in the 1495AD masterpiece that tells the story of Jesus' arrest and resurrection - and which many people have overlooked.

The painting shows Judas holding the silver payment he received to turn Jesus over to the authorities, a blogger named Culture Critic explained, although these theories were never confirmed by da Vinci.

Meanwhile, Saint Peter is seen holding a knife, symbolizing his later attempt to free their leader.

Then there is the mysterious figure to the left of Jesus who some have claimed was the only woman to sit at the table - but some historical scholars have a different interpretation that its one of the youngest male apostles.

The Bible details the story of the Last Supper in 33 AD, when Jesus sat with his 12 apostles and told them that one among their number would betray him, adding that his death was imminent.

He blessed the bread and wine and explained that it represented his body that would be broken and the blood he would shed for the forgiveness of their sins.

Instead of focusing on portraying Christ as dispensing bread and wine, da Vinci showed the apostles reeling at Jesus’ news that one would bring about his death.

Judas, who had already condemned Jesus to death by revealing his location before the supper, is cast in shadow while he clutches one of the 30 pieces of silver he received as payment to betray his leader.

Directly next to Judas’ hand is what appears to be a salt container that he knocked over, symbolizing his broken covenant with God, Culture Critic wrote in his post on X.

‘It’s the complexity and symbolism woven in that has had people speculating ever since [da Vinci created the painting]. And as ever with Leonardo, nothing is accidental,' the expert shared.

The salt theory has been floated around by scholars before, but salt shakers were not invented until the late 1800s. 

He went on to explain that da Vinci’s portrayal of Christ as he reaches for bread and wine displays his posture in a triangular shape, signifying the Holy Trinity, expressing yet another hidden secret.

This is a Christian doctrine that states God exists as three people: God the Father, Jesus the Son and the Holy Spirit.

Da Vinci went one step further by painting Saint Peter holding a knife - adding to the ‘fascinating reactions of each apostle,’ Culture Critic claimed.

The scholar added that the knife is allegedly indicative of Peter’s attempt to save Jesus by slashing off Malchus’ ear as he arrested their lord and savior, while also foreshadowing Judas’ eventual demise.

Malchus, a servant of the Jewish High Priest Caiaphas, was among 450 men who were ordered to arrest Jesus.

The Biblical passage Matthew 27:3-10 describes Judas’ death, saying he felt guilty over his betrayal and tried to return the money he was paid before throwing it at the chief priests and elders and going out to hang himself.

However, the Acts of the Apostles 1:18-19 described a more gruesome death: ‘With the reward he got for his wickedness, Judas bought a field; there he fell headlong, his body burst open and all his intestines spilled out.’

Saint Thomas stands to the left and behind Jesus with his finger ‘curiously raised in the air’, which could symbolize the apostle later demanding proof that Jesus had risen from the dead, claimed Culture Critic.

Thomas placed his finger into a wound in Jesus’ side for proof and according to John 20:29 in the Bible, the Lord said to him: ‘Have you believed because you have seen me? Blessed are those who have not seen and yet believe.’

However, some people have also claimed that the figure is a portrait of da Vinci who was also a skeptic of Christ’s resurrection.

There are also segments of the painting that still remain a mystery with the most common being the supposed woman standing next to Jesus.

Although her identity has never been confirmed, some believe it is Mary Magdalene who traveled with Jesus and was one of his devoted followers.

However, others have suggested it is actually the youngest disciple, John, whose pale skin and feminine features may have led people to believe it's an image of a woman.

This revelation comes as the 2024 Paris Olympics is under fire for its portrayal of the Last Supper at last week's opening ceremony.

The scene showed dancers, drag performers and a DJ posing in front of a table in a shot appearing to depict the apostle's last meal with Christ before he was crucified.

French theatre director Thomas Jolly created the segment and claimed he wasn’t referencing the Last Supper but rather the Greek God of wine and festivity, Dionysus, connecting the games to their Greek roots.

The Olympic Games posted images of the event on X, writing: ‘The interpretation of the Greek God Dionysus makes us aware of the absurdity of violence between human beings.’

Although Jolly claimed the images had no connection to the Last Supper, the Olympics producers told The Wrap that ‘Jolly took inspiration from Leonardo da Vinci’s famous painting to create the setting.

‘Clearly, there was never an intention to show disrespect towards any religious group or belief … [Jolly] is not the first artist to make a reference to what is a world-famous work of art,’ the producers said.

‘From Andy Warhol to ‘The Simpsons,’ many have done it before him.’