David Bowie may have been "exploring" Kabbalah again in the months before he died - in a secret message left in his final video.

The last image the world has of the iconic star is him retreating backwards into a wardrobe before shutting the door in the video for his single Lazarus.

In the final shot, Bowie is wearing a distinctive striped top as he seemingly says goodbye to the world.

Insiders say it is the same outfit, or a replica of, the one he wore in a photo shoot for the back cover of the 1976 album Station to Station.

The picture, by legendary photographer Steve Schapiro, captured Bowie drawing the kabbalistic tree of life in chalk.

Similar top: Bowie wore a similar outfit on the Station To Station cover while drawing the kabbalistic tree of life (

Image:

Steve Schapiro/Corbis)
Stripes: Another image from the Station To Station shoot by acclaimed photographer Steve Schapiro (

Image:

Steve Schapiro/Corbis)

Bowie was obsessed with kabbalah, a mystical offshoot of Judaism, during that period of his life, when his cocaine addiction was at its height.

The song Station To Station also contains the lyric: "One magical movement from Kether to Malkuth".

"Kether" and "malkuth" are two of the 10 elements of the kabbalistic tree of life.

While Bowie has rarely mentioned kabbalah since the 1970s, other artists such as the singer Madonna have since come out as followers instead.

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A source said: "There is absolutely no doubt this is a reference to that particular time in his life.

"David may have been looking into and exploring certain aspects of Kabbalah towards the end.

"The fact this is the last image of him on video – and this is the outfit he was wearing - is surely significant."

Biographer Paul Trynka agrees that the "reference to Kabbala is intended" but says "it's only part of the story".

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He said the fact he went into a wardrobe was a reference to CS Lewis and Narnia – which was "explicitly Christian".

He said: "Right around the time of Station to Station, David started wearing a crucifix, naming it as a treasured possession.

"David often mentioned spiritual leanings, both Christian and Buddhist, but my take is he didn't endorse one particular religion exclusively.

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"I think the notion that he "became" Christian in the last 18 months is simplistic and absurd.

"My guess is he was exploring the concept of death, the end of existence, rather than looking for a last-minute salvation. "

The Mirror has previously revealed how Bowie was secretly cremated without any of his family or friends present after telling his his loved ones he wanted to "go without any fuss" and not have a funeral service or public memorial.

Bowie released the album to rave reviews on January 8 – his 69th birthday. He died two days later, of liver cancer.

Christian message? A Narnia reference in the Lazarus video

Bowie's producer, Tony Visconti has previously written that the album containing the song was his "parting gift" to fans.

"He always did what he wanted to do. And he wanted to do it his way and he wanted to do it the best way," he said.

"His death was no different from his life - a work of art. He made Blackstar for us, his parting gift."

A spokesman declined to comment.

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David Bowie 1947-2016