Hidden in plain sight
There are many secret signs and messages hidden in plain sight. Today, I will share one of the more blatant and public versions of these signs and their connection to our history. Certainly, if you've read any of my writings in the past, this monument to knowledge proves the theory of Atlantian history.
Firstly, when exploring the architectural grandeur of Washington, D.C., one cannot overlook the iconic doors of the Library of Congress. These magnificent entryways are more than just portals—they are historic symbols of knowledge, craftsmanship, and American ideals. In this piece, we'll uncover who built them, the figures etched into their design, and the deeper meanings they represent.
Above all, the Library of Congress is the largest in the world, and it is a cultural and architectural icon. Likewise, the doors on the Thomas Jefferson Building, the library's oldest and most iconic structure, were designed to make a statement and are marked by elaborate Beaux-Arts architecture.
Paul J. Pelz
A work in Bronze
John L. Smithmeyer
Paul J. Pelz and John L. Smithmeyer completed the building in 1897, providing its architectural direction. However, after receiving a commission for the work, the sculptor Herbert Adams created the bronze doors that adorn the main entrance.
Additionally, the Henry-Bonnard Bronze Company of New York, a leading foundry known for its detailed and durable bronze work, executed the casting of these doors. These craftsmen were pivotal in bringing Adams' vision to life, turning artistic models into massive, functional, and deeply symbolic structures.
Movable Type
Moreover, let's explore the images featured on these monumental doors. The bronze doors show the portrait medallions of significant historical and cultural figures, most notably Johann Gutenberg and Benjamin Franklin. Consequently, the designers did not choose these individuals randomly; instead, they represent milestones in human knowledge and communication evolution.
Gutenberg, the inventor of the movable-type printing press, is honored for revolutionizing the spread of information (my blog on his life here). Franklin, a polymath and printer himself, symbolizes American ingenuity and the democratization of knowledge. In other words, the doors link European innovation with American progress by placing these two men side by side, bridging Old World craftsmanship with New World ideals.
Sophia
Moreover, the symbolic weight of these doors goes far beyond the individuals they portray. They represent the Library of Congress's mission: to serve as a guardian of knowledge, a beacon of democracy, and a tribute to human achievement. The figures inscribed on the doors reflect the library's commitment to historical preservation and forward-thinking progress.
In addition, the very material—bronze—was chosen not just for its durability but for its timelessness. Bronze has long been associated with honor, memory, and artistic integrity, making it the perfect medium for representing enduring wisdom. Every detail of the doors—from their stately frames to the intricacy of the reliefs inspires reverence and curiosity.
Portals
Meanwhile, the John Adams Building was constructed in the 1930s to accommodate the growing collections of the Library of Congress. Its doors were designed by Lee Lawrie, a renowned architectural sculptor whose work also includes the famous "Atlas" statue at Rockefeller Center.
Lawrie collaborated with architect Paul Philippe Cret to ensure the building's design and artistic elements reflected the institution's mystical or metaphysical intention. As a result, the bronze doors are among the building's most iconic parts, installed to convey the timeless value of wisdom.
Most importantly, the John Adams Building doors are not just functional—they are deeply symbolic. Each bronze door features a set of figures representing great thinkers and contributors to the progress of human civilization. Homer, Shakespeare, Moses, Plato, Solon, Herodotus, and, notably, Nabu are among these figures. To clarify, these individuals represent literature, law, philosophy, and history. Likewise, the doors are a tribute to humanity's collective philosophic heritage.
Uncatchable
Notably, Nabu holds a unique place among the figures depicted on the John Adams Building doors. As the Babylonian god of wisdom and writing, Nabu symbolizes the earliest recorded traditions of literacy and record-keeping. He is the divine scribe who inscribed the fates of men and gods alike onto tablets of destiny. Nabu is typically depicted with a stylus, reinforcing his role as the guardian of written knowledge.
Also, the Babylonians connect him with the planet Mercury. In essence, they observed Mercury's swift and ever-moving nature. The connection revolves around rapidly disseminating knowledge and communication through communication. Meanwhile, this connection is so strong that even today, the Mandaean name for Mercury, ʻNbu, is derived from Nabu. So why is he featured on the door? Because his presence reminds us of the sacred act of recording and preserving human introspection.
Mystics are Everywhere
Moreover, several other compelling figures appear on the doors, including Thoth, Brahma, T'ien-Chieh, Cadmus, and Itzamna. These figures come from diverse cultures and represent humanity's early relationship with cosmic wisdom, language, and writing.
To illustrate, Thoth (Greeks knew him as Hermes), the ancient Egyptian deity, is revered as the god of writing, wisdom, and mysticism. one of the most important gods in the ancient Egyptian pantheon (all the gods of a people) and was associated with knowledge, magic, and the moon. He was often depicted as a man with the head of an ibis (a large bird), holding a writing implement and a scroll.
As a result, Thoth was credited with inventing writing, mathematics, and science and was said to have recorded the words of the gods in the Book of Thoth. His inclusion underscores the metaphysical connection we share with knowledge.
It's Plato time
Most importantly, the legend of Atlantis goes back to the writings of the Greek philosopher Plato, who is also on the doors of the John Adams building. Plato described it as a powerful and advanced civilization that existed around 9,000 years before his time.
According to Plato, Atlantis was a utopian society destroyed in a single day and night of catastrophic earthquakes and floods (younger Dryas period), sinking into the ocean and disappearing forever. Moreover, he described the Atlanteans as great and prosperous people with advanced science and technology knowledge, including flying machines and free energy.
In contrast, Brahma, from Hindu tradition, is known as the creator god and is deeply associated with the emergence of sacred texts and cosmic knowledge. By featuring Brahma, the doors acknowledge the profound contributions of South Asian philosophies and spiritual literature to human civilization.
Real or Not
Likewise, T'ien-Chieh (also spelled Tian Jie) symbolizes divine order and communication from ancient Chinese mythology. Though less commonly known in the West, his presence highlights the role of East Asian cosmology and the moral structure it provided through early writings.
Another key figure is Cadmus, the mythical Phoenician prince credited with introducing the alphabet to Greece. His legacy represents the Western world's transition from oral traditions to written language. Therefore, Cadmus symbolizes the alphabetic system's transformative power.
Finally, Itzamna, a Mayan deity, was revered as the god of wisdom and writing. He taught the Maya people how to write and preserve their history. His inclusion honors Mesoamerica's sophisticated intellectual culture, often overlooked in mainstream historical narratives. In addition, the significance of having a Central American God on the door with other deities tells us that we only see part of our global legacy.
Hidden meaning in everything
In addition to their historical significance, the images on the doors serve as metaphors for the building's mission. For instance, Moses represents law and divine order, Plato symbolizes philosophical inquiry and knowledge of Atlantis, Shakespeare embodies coded messages in plain sight, and Nabu epitomizes the galactic origin of writing and archival knowledge. Similarly, Thoth, Brahma, T'ien-Chieh, Cadmus, and Itzamna each reflect the global and multicultural origins of the Gods who teach human literacy and thought.
Each image is rendered in relief and set in a panel, giving a sense of timeless reverence. Therefore, these doors function not just as entryways but also as portals to the enduring value of recorded knowledge.
You are the Author, Neo
In conclusion, the doors of the Library of Congress's John Adams Building are not just architectural features—they are storytelling devices carved in bronze. Designed by Lee Lawrie (Rockefeller Center) in collaboration with Paul Philippe Cret (Folger Shakespeare Library and Eccles Building {Federal Reserve Board Building}).
Consequently, their presence reminds us of our enduring power, knowledge, and intellectual legacy. If you're searching for a place where proof exists regarding our metaphysical history, art, and knowledge, look no further than the Library of Congress.
