According to the Gospel of John, a Roman centurion (later named ) used the spear to confirm Jesus' death, resulting in the flow of blood and water.

Today, three primary artifacts claim to be the original Holy Lance, each with its own storied history:

: Preserved beneath the dome of St. Peter's Basilica in Rome. While it is rarely shown to the public, the Catholic Church does not make official claims about its authenticity. Modern Mythology & The Occult

: Since the Middle Ages, possession of the lance was believed to grant the owner the power to rule the world. It became a central part of the Imperial Regalia of the Holy Roman Empire , used in coronation ceremonies.

The spear became a focal point of 20th-century occultism, largely due to its association with .