il Giardino Romantico

1950年當 『納尼亞傳奇』第一本被出版的『獅子．女巫．魔衣櫥』問世時，評論家們紛紛議論探討著為何一位像C.S. Lewis這麼有能力的學者與評論家會寫出如此平淡乏味的兒童小說。就連他的好朋友，『魔戒』作者Tolkien也不太能認同Lewis在書中許多部份以 及角色的呈現方式。但Lewis仍然繼續寫出了六本，加起來一共七本的『納尼亞傳奇』至今成為青少年及成人們都喜愛的經典文學。

學者至今 大致都同意『納尼亞』是一本描述基督教的故事以及宗旨。即使是對文學只有淺入研究的讀者應該也輕鬆可以看出書中的獅子，『亞斯藍』，代表的就是耶穌基督。 在『獅子』這集裡，同如耶穌，自我犧牲而死去。但也因為這樣的犧牲而復活。但一直以來，這種基督教的象徵性質是否成為了學者的盲點？

Michael Ward聲稱他找出『納尼亞』更深層的密碼。而這密碼也是Lewis寫『納尼亞』的初衷。他在『納尼亞星球』一書中提出了許多經過細心研究後所整理出來的種種證明。

而 在BBC製作的紀錄片『納尼亞密碼』中，Ward提到七本書代表著其實是七個不同的星球。所以Ward主要的論點是『納尼亞』除了是描寫基督教的一種寓言 故事之外，他同時也是在描述七個星球。當Ward讀到Lewis描寫星球的一首詩中寫到的'winter past, and guilt forgiven' [冬天以過、已被豁免的過失]，他則馬上連想到這是一句描述『獅子』一書的最佳寫照。假使有讀過或是看過電影版的朋友們在此一定也連想起白女巫詛咒下的百 年冬日是如何漸漸的轉為春與夏，而書中犯了過失的主角，又是如何得到其他人的寬恕與原諒。

Ward提 到，Lewis從小就對天體以及宇宙論有興趣。即使童年及青少年時曾是個無神論者，但在經歷過二次世界大戰後開始轉變成一位虔誠的基督教徒。這項新的發 現，不僅與Lewis虔誠的基督教信仰沒有任何的衝突，反而Ward相信這反而增強了Lewis對基督教的信仰。影片最後討論到了科學與宗教[基督教]之 間的複雜關係。許多人與Lewis相同地認為，研究『科學』其實只會增加自己對『神』的信仰，而不是增加自己對『神』的疑惑。

或許你不會同意Ward的觀點。但想想，七本書。七個星球。也是挺有趣的吧！

[以上宗教論點不代表本人立場。]

When the 'The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe' was first published in 1950, it failed to capture the attention of C.S. Lewis's contemporary critics.  Even his friend, J.R.R. Tolkien, couldn't seem to fully comprehend the meaning of this newly created world of Narnia.  However, Lewis managed to write six other books, and together, all seven books of 'The Chronicles of Narnia' have influenced children and adults alike for five decades. 

Time has proved 'Narnia' to be a classic children's literature, and the symbolism and meanings within the Narnian world has intrigued scholars even till today.  By now, Aslan is known as a representation of a Christ figure, who sacrifices himself, dies, and is resurrected.  Scholars have been so blinded by this Christian symbolism, that only up till now, is there a whole new explanation to this classic series. 

Michael Ward claims to have cracked the hidden code that explained Lewis's motivation in writing Narnia.  Furthermore, he has published a book, Planet Narnia, replete with evidence found through meticulous research.  So what, exactly, is this secred Narnia code?

In the documentary, 'The Narnia Code' [see link below], Ward explains that the seven different books represent the seven different planets in the cosmos.  The Chronicles, then, is not only a work of Christian apologetic, but also an allegory of the seven planets.  Ward claims to have first discovered the connection through reading one of Lewis's lines about the planets: 'winters past, and guilt forgiven'.  Anyone who has read the book, or even just seen the movie, would clearly see the connection now.  The line was used to describe the planet Jupiter.  It is also precisely, a summary of the first publication of the series, 'The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe'.  Remember how the curse of the White Witch's hundred-year winter was slowly melted down by spring and summer, and how Edmund's wrong doings were forgiven by everyone around him? 

Ward explains that Lewis had always been fascinated by the stars and cosmology.  Having been brought up as an athiest, Lewis embraced Christianity when he experienced World War II.  Ward's new discovery does not, so he claims, disparage Lewis's Christian beliefs, but in fact, fortifies his religious faith.  The final section of the documentary discusses the complicated relationship between God and science, and how certain people, possibly Lewis himself, believe that through the study of science, one actually learns more about the wonders of God.

Whether or not you agree with Ward's findings is merely a trifle if you think about how interesting the connection is.  Seven books.  Seven planets.  Why not?

Watch The Narnia Code on BBC iPlayer [UK only]
Available until: 11:34pm [BST] April 23rd, 2009

Buy Planet Narnia on Amazon.com

Planet Narnia Official Website