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Ben's secret door

[[{{{Video}}}|Orientation Video]]

First seen

"The Shape of Things to Come"

Last seen

"The Shape of Things to Come"

Constructed by

Unknown

Controlled by

Unknown

Connection

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Number

{{{Number}}}

Purpose

{{{Purpose}}}

Status

{{{Status}}}

Discovered by

{{{Discover}}}

DHARMA Initiative Stations
The Arrow • The Staff • The Swan
The Flame • The Pearl • The Orchid
The Hydra • The Tempest
The Looking Glass

In his house in the Barracks, Ben Linus opened and passed through a secret door covered with hieroglyphs, accessible from the secret closet behind his bookcase. Ben emerged from the secret rooms, covered in what appears to be soot. Shortly afterwards, the Monster appeared and attacked Keamy and the mercenaries, apparently having been summoned by Ben. ("The Shape of Things to Come")

Hieroglyphics

Hieroglyphics on Ben's door

Please Note - All descriptions of symbols and their meanings are best-guess attempts until official confirmation from the producers of LOST.

There are six hieroglyphics carved onto the secret door.

Symbols

Clockwise from the upper left, the symbols are

1. A man
2. A small wavey line
3. A cross or ankh
4. A small circular shape
5. Another man with raised hands
6. An alpha-type character

Translation

The symbols assumed meanings are

1. Man striking with weapon
2. Weapon
3. Life
4. Attend or attendant
5. Man with weapon
6. Bind, seal, or summon

Interpretation

Some of the symbols appear to be determinative symbols, meaning they specify the literal or figurative context of the symbol.

According to one rough interpretation, they read "to summon protection". This interpretation makes sense in the context of the episode, as Ben did appear to summon the Monster to protect his group as they escaped the Barracks.

Unanswered questions

For fan theories about these unanswered questions, see: Ben's secret door/Theories

• What is behind the door?
• Who built it the door and when?
• Did the DHARMA Initiative intentionally build a house on top of this older structure, and if so, why?
• Why was Ben visibly dirty when he reappeared after entering the door?