What is the purpose of the black rocks in the movie Knowing?

Answer 1

It was my take that the stones represent a "pass" or "invitation" to be saved. Each kid and lucinda received them. The woman who died in the end had received one off of the phone booth before her death. Her death being saved or called to heaven. At the accident she had the stone just out of reach in the vehicle, when she died in the ambulance it was in her hand.

I think the stones were an invitation. The stones were in the creek bed where the kids were given the "choice or believing souls" to go with the angel type beings. Did you notice that as they ascended that they had wings? This again being the theme of choice to believe which Caleb had chosen to believe and Nick Cage rejected. I found it interesting that Cage's character was initially denied access to being invited by the beings to leave earth and then they almost left as if to offer one last moment for him to believe in something different. After the ship left ground the 100s of stones also rose up at eye level as if one last obvious chance for Cage to choose to accept one and believe. Even in the face of witnessing the beings face to face, and seeing the offering of many stones he still didn't truly believe in his heart or mind, and was thus denied access. There were alot of biblical references digging into higher intelligence as our thought of God. Or was this God's actual rapture in revelations in saving those that believed with a quick death or call to heaven and those that may have survived to forego the tribulations to perhaps come?

This is only my theory and how I took the symbolism of the stones. I'd love to know others' ideas.

I am going to suggest that there are many Christian interpretations at hand but also many Islamic references as well. Quoting Wikipedia, "The Black Stone is a Muslim relic, which according to Islamic tradition dates back to the time of Adam and Eve (referenced at the end of the movie when the two children were in paradise). Some consider it to be a tektite or a meteorite. The Stone was broken into a number of pieces from damage inflicted during the Middle Ages. According to Islamic tradition, the Stone fell from Heaven to show Adam and Eve where to build an altar. The Altar became the first temple on Earth. Muslims believe that the stone was originally pure and dazzling white, but has since turned black because of the sins of people. Islamic tradition holds that Adam's altar and the stone were lost in the process of Noah's Flood and forgotten. It was Ibrahim who found the Black Stone at the original site of Adam's altar when the angel Jibrail revealed it to him. Ibrahim ordered his son-and the ancestor of Muhammad--Ismail to build a new temple in which to embed the Stone. This new temple is the Holy Ka'aba in Mecca." Our religion is merely a relationship with God, and I think knowing (literally the title of the movie) more about all of these religions actually gives a better interpretation of the movie.

Answer 2

I just saw the movie last night and couldn't sleep until I had resolved the question of the black rocks.

I think the black rocks are a reference to the book of Ezekial, particularly Chapter 11 verses 14 - 21 (I am using the 1999 JPS Hebrew English Tanakh). It basically states that The good people, a chosen few who will be scattered amongst the nations shall be given the land of Isreal. And that G-d will remove their heart of stone and give them a heart of flesh so that they can follow G-d's laws and rules. Those who do not have their heart of stone replaced, shall be repayed for their conduct.

I'm guessing these "rocks" are the hearts of stone that were replaced in the chosen ones. ------Spoiler Alert------- I think the rocks symbolize the Holy Spirit. In the beginning when the Whisperer gives Caleb the first rock, I think it means the Spirit is with him. Later, after Diane dies, a rock appears by her; like the Holy Spirit is with her as she dies. The place where Caleb and Abby were taken is filled with the rocks; symbolizing a "Holy Place"....?

Answer 3

No, you are all wrong. In the story of Jacob and Esau (Old Testament), Jacob stole back his birthright from Esau and then fled his home after the death of Isaac. He came to a stone where he laid his head to sleep and there he had a dream, a vision in which a stairway came down from heaven with angels to bring him the word from God that he will inherit the land, receive the blessing and his decendents will flurish and prosper. Later, he poured oil on the stone (black rock) and made it a pillar. It became the gate of heaven, just as it was in the movie.

Answer 4

Ezekiel 28:12-13

“You were the signet of perfection,

full of wisdom and perfect in beauty.

13 You were in Eden, the garden of God;

every precious stone was your covering,

sardius, topaz, and diamond,

beryl, onyx, and jasper,

sapphire, emerald, and carbuncle;

and crafted in gold were your settings

and your engravings.

On the day that you were created

they were prepared.