Why Jacob's Tapestry is One of the Most Important Clues in Lost by Alex Stone

Surely something so detailed wouldn’t have been created for the show unless it had some sort of relevance. As Lost fans we know anything that is in another language demands to be translated, be it Greek, Latin, hieroglyphics or even Sumerian cuneiform script. If it wasn’t important, the writer’s wouldn’t go out of their way to hide it.

As a side note, notice that the black and white tapestry is organized symmetrically; balance. The top and bottom of the tapestry are mirror opposites. A singular quote, followed two pictorial representations, followed by a three line quote in the center, followed by another two pictorial representations, finally followed by a singular quote. Balance was one of the most important things in the world to Jacob. He recognized the power of balance.

Jacob’s tapestry, at its most basic level, serves as a metaphor. Jacob’s work with a loom is a symbol for the precise planning and arranging he has done in an effort to beat the Monster in the centuries long game they’ve been playing, but what are really important are the details of what is on the tapestry itself.
We’ll start with the phrases written on it, as they’re relatively easier to decipher. There are three phrases in Greek, as well as three instances of Egyptian hieroglyphs. The first phrase, from Homer’s Odyssey, translates as “May the gods grant thee all that thy heart desires.” This represents the Island's ability to give people what they want, if they give the island something first.

The second phrase, also a reference to the Odyssey, reads “May the gods grant thee happiness.” These two lines are blessings. But what significance do they have? They are important because it implies that Jacob recognized a higher power. Note the use of the word “Gods”. It is plural, virtually nondenominational. In the context of the Odyssey we understand that Homer was referring to the Greek gods, gods we now recognize as mythological figures, rather than religious ones. This is the power that Jacob answered to. From both Jacob and Lost’s perspective, we all answer to the power of creation. It doesn’t represent “God”, Yahweh, Allah, or Ra. It represents all of them. It represents the Island, The Source. The final line is “Only the dead have seen the end of war.” This offers interesting insight into Jacob’s perspective of death and the purpose it serves – the purpose the Monster serves (more on that later).

Jacob distracted Sayid as Nadia was struck by a car right in front of him. He routinely brought people to an island where they were said to “fight,” “destroy,” and “corrupt” and it always “ended the same.” He had no issue bringing living beings to a place where in all likelihood they would end up killing each other off. He didn’t even try very hard to dissuade Ben from stabbing him in the chest. In fact, he almost encouraged him. When the Man in Black kicked him into the fire as he was experiencing his final moments, Jacob didn’t make a sound. He was not afraid, for there was nothing to be afraid of. Life, Jacob realized, was cyclical. Rebirth is the ultimate function of life and death. Again, balance. Life and Death are dependent on each other.

This leads us to the tapestry’s Egyptian hieroglyphics. It is not a coincidence that the tapestry is adorned with both ancient Egyptian and Greek writing. The Greek ruler Alexander the Great famously conquered Egypt in 332 BC. What makes this especially relevant to the ideas of Lost is that these opposing cultures did not fight. Egypt welcomed Alexander the Great with open arms. Together they created a stronger Egypt. Alexander appointed both Greeks and Egyptians to operate their government and it was overwhelmingly successful. They chose Love over Death, Cooperation over War. They followed the Virtue of Jacob, and he loved them as God loved them.

But what do they mean? Beats me. Hieroglyphics are very difficult to translate, and often have many different interpretations, but there are some familiar symbols that have a strong thematic resonance. The top line of hieroglyphs makes reference to “two masters” on opposite sides of the tapestry. This is undoubtedly Jacob making reference to his and the Monster’s roles as protectors of the Island and the sides of Life and Death they represent, but there is more at work here than just life and death. To quote Mikhail Bakunin (the character, not the philosopher) there are “three grandmasters.”

This leads me to the bottom section of hieroglyphs. There are three symbols that represent the three seasons of ancient Egypt: Summer, Winter and Inundation – “Life, Death and Rebirth.” To clarify, Inundation commemorated the rising of the Nile, which would re-fertilize their land for the new agricultural season. It gave them the ability to start anew. “Tabula Rasa.” This idea of “rebirth” doesn’t represent Jacob or the Monster. It represents the Island.