Melbourne, December 1: The theme of C. S. Lewis’ ‘The Chronicles of Narnia’ is based on the seven planets forming the heavens in medieval astrology, says a scholar whose theory has been examined in a BBC documentary.

The theory, proposed by Reverend Dr Michael Ward, has come after more than 50 years of literary and theological speculation arguing whether Lewis formed the classic children literature bearing a particular pattern in mind or painted his characters and incidents randomly, reports the Daily Telegraph.

In his book Planet Narnia: The Seven Heavens in the Imagination of CS Lewis, Ward has claimed that Lewis, a leading medieval scholar who never revealed the hidden theme behind the series, had based the theme of each of the book on the basis of the characteristics traced to the seven planets.

The books, the first of which has seen a film adaptation in 2005, have already been debated to work on two levels: the fantasy narrative that has made the series a favourite amongst generations of children, and the Christian liaison that sees the lion Aslan as a representation of Christ.

According to Norman Stone, director and producer of the documentary ‘The Narnia Code’, the theory has been the “best explanation yet” to offer insight into the hidden theme behind the seven fantasy novels for children.

Stone said: "This will help change the view of Lewis. It will help elevate Lewis to a different level and make him the equal of Tolkien - both as a writer and thinker.

“He felt that we have been blinded by facts, but he loved hiding things. He loved the idea that people learnt more by discovering things themselves, especially hidden things. A lot of the meaning of God is after all hidden.” (ANI)