I wonder if there is a connection, to a degree, between Indy and Freemasons.
For example: the Royal Masonic School for Girls in Rickmansworth, England was used in the filming of both Raiders of the Lost Ark and Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade. The use of a historically masonic location could have just been a coincidence, but it also could have been by design. It is very curious.
I think, with Indy 4, the Masonic connection to the artifacts becomes more possible than before it. Here is why, and truly this is an interesting theory:
1. The Ark of the Covenant
The Ark is the symbol for the Holy of Holies in the Temple of Solomon, and is probably one of the most sacred symbols in Freemasonry for that very reason.
(Masonic Symbol: The Ark of the Temple)
2. The Headpiece of Ra
An emblem found in every well-furnished lodge, and which is unnecessary further to explain. Literally, this is the one symbol that speaks for itself.
It's origins can be traced to the ancient Egyptian Eye of Ra, or Eye of God.
(Masonic Symbol: The All-Seeing Eye)
3. The Holy Grail
The importance of the Grail in Masonic tradition can be traced back to the Knights Templer, who were said to be guardians of the Holy Grail. It is often speculated that the Templars influenced early Freemasonry to some degree.
(Masonic Symbol: The Reverse Triangle a.k.a The Cup)
4. The Crystal Skull
The Skull and Bones are used most famously during the initiation ceremony of certain masonic lodges to indicate where an initiate is to "die" prior to being reborn as a brother in the masonic order. It is a reminder of one's mortality.
(Masonic Symbol: The Skull and Bones)
5. The Cross of Coronado
In the various Concordant Bodies of Freemasonry crosses are used as part of the regalia or symbolism. Different shaped crosses have different meanings.
(Masonic Symbol: The Cross and Crown)
6. The Sankara Stones
Three stones each with three lines upon them. What do three lines form?
A pyramid. How many lines are there in total? Nine. "If the number three was celebrated among the ancient sages, that of three times three had no less celebrity" according to a Masonic dictionary of symbols I've been reading.
What is the pyramid in Masonic symbolism made from? Stones, of course.
A three sided polygon, being the first enclosed shape possible with straight lines, the Triangle is important in Masonry due to its connection to the sacred number three and also because it has long represented the concept of the Deity in geometrical form. The Triangle and Pyramid are the same.
(Masonic Symbol: The Pyramid)
7. The Urn of Nurhachi
In Freemasonry, the cinerary urn has been introduced as a symbol having reference to the burial of the Temple Builder, which is an important concept.
(Masonic Symbol: The Urn)
8. The Golden Idol
An allegorical symbol for the ideal Mason shows the Golden Sun with it's face. This is an important Masonic symbol which can be traced back to ancient Egypt according to some scholars. By itself the Golden Sun is a divine symbol.
Notice the Golden Idol-like image of one of the Master's Jewels shown below!
(Masonic Symbol: The Golden Sun)
Masonic Symbols in Indiana Jones and the Emperor's Tomb:
9. The Heart of the Dragon
There is a legend in some of the advanced Degrees and in Continental Freemasonry, that the heart of Hiram Abif was deposited in an urn and placed upon a monument near the Holy of Holies, where it was revered as a relic.
(Masonic Symbol: Heart of Hiram Abif)
Other Masonic Symbols in the Indiana Jones Movies:
10. The Swastika:
An imortant symbol in German Freemason coats of arms as you can see here.
11. The "Cruciform Sword":
Called also the Pontifical Cross, because it is borne before the Pope. It is a cross, the upright piece being crossed by three lines, the upper and lower shorter than the middle one. It is the insignia of the Grand Master and Past Grand Masters of the Grand Encampment of Knights Templar of the United States. The same cross placed on a slant is the insignia of the Sovereign Grand Commander of the Supreme Council of the Ancient and Accepted Scottish Rite of Freemasonry. The Red Cross was always a Templar symbol.
(Masonic Symbol: The Cross of Salem)
12. The Column:
Remember this movie poster for Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom?
In Freemasonry, columns have a symbolic signification as the supports of a Lodge, and are known as the Columns of Wisdom, Strength, and Beauty.
Notice the similarity between Indy's column and this one from Rosslyn Chapel:
(Masonic Symbol: The Column)
13. The Light:
Light is an important word in the Masonic system. It conveys a far more recondite meaning than it is believed to possess by the generality of readers. It is in fact the first of all the symbols presented to the neophyte, and continues to be presented to him in various modifications throughout all his future progress in his Masonic career. Ironic, isn't it, that Indy encoutered a light-based trap in the very beginning of Raiders of the Lost Ark, during his own neophyte days? And such perils are presented to him in later adventures!
(Masonic Symbol: The Light)
Masonic Concepts as the Ultimate Goals in the Indiana Jones Movies:
Raiders of the Lost Ark: Faith
From "talking to God" to closing your eyes because someone says to, this is a movie about literally blind faith, which is a very important Masonic tenet. In fact, in initiate is blindfolded during their initiation to teach them blind faith.
Temple of Doom: Charity
When you're helping the poor, freeing slaves, and going through Hell nearly in a literal sense and you don't even get the treasure you were seeking, you're doing it for charity if you still feel good when it's over, as Indy indeed did.
Last Crusade: Illumination, Immortality
For Indy's father, just recieving the enlightenment of knowing the truth about the Holy Grail was enough. Just as it was for the Templars who were initiated into the secret of the real Holy Grail. Immortality has symbolism in Masonry.
Crystal Skull: Knowledge, Hope
For Spalko, only the ultimate knowledge would suffice, and for Indy the hope of marrying Marion and knowing he had a son was what satisfied him most. In Masonry, Knowledge of every kind is revered and Hope is always sought after.
So, from a Masonic point of view, Indiana Jones is filled with a great deal of symbolism and hidden meaning. Whether or not that meaning is intentional or coincidental is another matter entirely... I've seen very intentional Masonic symbolism in movies ranging from National Treasure to Flash Gordon (1980), so it wouldn't surprise me if something like that existed in Indiana Jones too.