The boardgame was designed by Antti Filppu and made by Veijo Pekkola in 1999. The (un)finishing lines were drawn in December 2006. I have tried several different rules for the game during the years. But it seems "the Temple of the Grail" will not be played at all. The whole point was the creation process itself, to have the style of chess and the romance of chivalry in it, reminding of the child's imagination and the adult's taste as well. References to the tradition of sacred geometry are all too visible, but they were not all meant to be there, initially. And the same could be said about the crossroads on this wood, the different views on the Grail theme that can be seen by those "who have eyes to see".
Straight lines form gateways, while the circle has been squared. There are 22 letters or numbers in the sides, with the first and the last interchangeable in a way. This makes it compatible with the Greek ideas concerning 21/3 year phases, the Hebrew alphabet and the Tarot system as well. Choose your own. It works together with my collection of poetry, Flor & Blancheflor. See the Lyrics for more pictures of the boardgame.
My little sister brought me the knight in the middle of this picture (in the nineties already), and I can't forget but I don't remember who said the figure is not a man but a woman. And not just any woman, but the Maid of Orleans herself, Joan of Arc. Pictures taken by Antti Filppu. Below is the master of geometry himself in 2007.
Master Pythagoras of Samos, who "neither affirms nor conceals but indicates" like the Delphi's Oracle, and "who handed down to us the tetraktys (1+2+3+4), containing the source and root of eternal nature". For the Harmony of the Spheres is "the bond uniting gods and mortals". (See Carmen Aureum, or J.Thom's Pythagorean Golden Verses).
"Few understand the deliverance from their troubles. Such is the fate that harms their minds: like tumbling stones they are borne hither and thither, suffering endless miseries. For a deadly innate companion, Discord, has injured them unawares. This one must not promote, but withdraw and flee from it. Father Zeus, you would surely deliver all from many evils, if you would show all... "
"But take courage, for mortals have a divine origin, to whom Nature displays and shows each sacred object. If you have any share in this, you will master what I command you by means of a thorough cure, and you will save your soul from these sufferings."
-excerpts from The Golden Verses