Examine the positions of the hands of each apostle and compare them to the diagram of the constellation below, in order of the twelve heads across.
Aries: three visible stars with long line and short line joined at angle of 150 degrees
Taurus: One hand forms the Hyades around Aldebaran, the other hand forms the Pleiades
Gemini: Two arms ending in the twins Castor and Pollux
Cancer: Hands to the heart as a crab
Leo: left hand cupped like lions head, right hand stretched out as tail (Denebola)
Virgo: single hand similar to shape of stars
The Sun: Jesus Christ
Libra: two hands together in balance
Scorpio: Peter as exact match to shape of scorpion with arm as body and sword as sting
Sagittarius: arms and hands closely match stars
Capricorn: two hands and head form triangle
Aquarius: arms and hands exact match to stars, with left arm stretched out
Pisces: arms and hands exact match to two lines of the fishes joined by knot at shoulder
Further allegorical discussion: http://wiki.astro.com/astrowiki/en/Leon ... ast_Supper
Leonardo da Vinci's "The Last Supper" is considered to be one of the most important paintings in the history of art. A less well known fact is that Leonardo had intensively studied a variety of mystic and spiritual teachings and that the twelve apostles are a symbolic portrayal of the twelve signs of the zodiac.
The apostle on the far right of the painting is Simon who stands for Aries, the first sign of Aries. The distinctive head and dynamically gesturing hands pointing to his left clearly illustrate this fact.
Thaddeus, the apostle immediately to Simon's left, symbolises Taurus. The powerful "Taurean neck" coupled with his hands which he is pointing at his own physical body are a testament to this.
Next comes Matthew who represents the sign of Gemini. The head and hands point in different directions, symbolising the open and often sometimes indecisive energy of Gemini.
After Matthew comes Philip who stands for the sign of Cancer, symbolised by his gentle, soft and vulnerable appearance which is the most feminine of all the apostles.
Next comes James, son of Zebedee, who stands for the sign of Leo. He has an air of certainty which is indicated, among other things, by his confidently outstretched hands.
Barely noticeable behind James is doubting Thomas, symbol for the modest sign of Virgo. When Virgo does say something it tends to be in a critical or questioning manner, as illustrated by his raised index finger.
Continuing on the other side of Jesus we find John, his favourite apostle who unmistakably stands for the sign of Libra. His whole character expresses a longing for love and harmony.
He stands in stark contrast to Judas, betrayer of Jesus. His dark, grim expression stands for the energy of Scorpio, the sign of death and transformation.
The next apostle is Peter, the Sagittarian among the apostles. He appears to be dynamic and energetic, but in a rather chaotic sense and not as focused as Aries as symbolised by Simon.
Next to him sits Andrew, who represents the sign of Capricorn. He seems rather aloof but at the same time clear and decisive. His hands are raised in a gesture that clearly indicates where his own boundaries are which makes the most steadfast impression of all the apostles.
The next disciple to his left is James, son of Alphaeus, who is the Aquarian among the disciples. He has physical contact with both Andrew and Peter, symbolising the Aquarian ideal of contact with like-minded people.
The last apostle is Bartholomew, who represents Pisces, the sign that completes the zodiac. He seems to be observing the proceedings with an air of equanimity without really being involved. It is also an interesting to note that his are the only visible feet in the whole painting. Feet are associated with Pisces. In the middle of the painting sits Jesus, the Sun around which everything revolves.
The Last Supper is not the only example of deep esoteric symbolism in great works of art. It may not be presumptuous to state that only those with an understanding of astrology and other esoteric disciplines are in a position to truly appreciate great historic works of art.