GRAIL, HOLY. The derivation of the word " grail " is doubtful. The most probable identification is with the Latin gradalis = cratalis (from crater), "cup." The story of the Holy Grail, as is clear from the Arthurian legend, centres round some precious object which was lost and could be found only by the truly pure seeker (such as Sir Galahad). In the Christian version of the Middle Ages the grail is thought of usually as the cup used by Jesus at the Last Supper or the vessel used by Joseph of Arimathaa to catch the blood which flowed from Jesus' wounded body. The Christian legend, how ever, is an adaptation or transformation of a legend which originally had nothing to do with Christianity. Its proximate origin, as far as It can be traced, is Celtic. The legend seems to have passed from Wales to France, where it was transformed (by Chrkien de Troves (1180 90) in Le Conte del Graal; and by Robert de Borron (1180-99) in Le petit St. Graal). It was then reintro duced into Wales (Mabinogi of Pesednr, Son of Errawc, 13th cent.). The ultimate origin of the legend may have been Oriental. Miss 1t1. A. Murray (Journal of the Manchester Egyptian and Oriental Society, 1917, p. 15 f.) thinks that that portion of the Grail romance which relates to Joseph of Arimathwa is Egyptian in origin. At the beginning of the legend the route taken by Joseph indicates that the whole action takes place in Egypt.
The names of the principal characters in the story show an Egyptian origin. Further proofs of the Egyptian origin are to be found in the passages which relate to the Grail itself and to Josephes. The reference to a " wooden ark " points to a Christian ceremony, though a ceremony not in use in the Western Church. In the Coptic celebration of the Eucharist a wooden ark plays a large part. Again, in the consecration of Josephes Coptic ritual may be recognised; and the vestments with which Josephes was clothed appear to be those in use in the Coptic and Byzantine Churches. Another inter esting proof of the connection with Egypt is found in the name of the castle in which the Grail was finally housed—Corbenie. The Arabic Qurban is the usual name in the Coptic Church for the Eucharist. Castle Corbenie may therefore be explained " The House of the Eucharist." In any case, the legend in its wanderings gathered up a number of curious features. With the cup or chalice is associated sometimes a lance and a sword. S. Reinach (0.) points out that the chief episode in the Finnish collection of popular poems, the Kaletcala (belonging iu its present form to the age of Charle magne) is the theft of a sacred object. See A. Nutt, Studies on the Legend of the Holy Grail, 18SS, and No. 14 of Popular Studies.