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“The writing on the wall” is a phrase that predicts the end of civilization or an organization. Its origins are in the Bible, where it foretells the end of Babylonian supremacy. Modern usage suggests taking action before a negative event occurs.
The writing on the wall is an omen that foretells the end of civilization, a type of behavior, or any large human company or organization. The phrase is usually used in a negative way to suggest that the end is near. Its roots are in the Bible and a somewhat literal modern interpretation might be an individual wearing a sign specifically stating that “The end is near”. While this is written on a sign, rather than a wall, it is still a means by which people try to convince others that civilization is rapidly coming to an end.
The Book of Daniel in the Old Testament contains the first known reference to the writing on the wall. In Daniel 5:1-31, Belshazzar, the king of Babylon, holds a drunken feast in which he displays sacred objects stolen from the Temple in Jerusalem. As the king and his subjects hold the objects, writing begins to appear on the wall and Daniel is called upon to interpret the words, which seem to have little meaning. Daniel warns the king that his days are numbered and that his kingdom will soon be destroyed.
Daniel’s interpretation is, of course, correct. King Belshazzar is killed that same night and the country is thrown into disorder as Darius of the Medes takes over the kingdom. As Daniel predicts, the kingdom is divided between the Medes and the Persians, meaning the end of Babylonian supremacy.
The specific writings on the wall in Daniel are the following words: Mene, Tekel and Parsin. Mene translates as toll, the price the Babylonians will pay; Tekel means weight, or judgment; and Parsin means division, and is also a corruption of the word Persians, the race which will claim part of the Babylonian kingdom.
In modern usage, people often use phase to suggest that they know something is coming and going, prompting action. For example, someone might say that “She knew he needed to get a new job right away. He saw the writing on the wall and didn’t want to wait for the company to begin its downsizing efforts.”
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