Archangel Gabriel is the messenger of God and plays an important role in both the Jewish Tanakh and the Christian Old and New Testament. In art he is usually depicted in a tunic or liturgical robe and with a messenger’s staff in his hand. In modern terms one could call him the courier of God. Gabriel, the exalted messenger, announced the birth of Christ to Mary. When he appeared to her, he is said to have said the Catholic prayer ‘Hail Mary’. Anyone who calls on the archangel Gabriel can count on creative inspirations and protection during pregnancy.
Contents
- Archangel Gabriel, messenger of God
- Noah and the power of God
- Gabriel and Islam
- Archangel Gabriel – the yellow ray of light
- Invocation of the Archangel Gabriel
Archangel Gabriel, messenger of God
Archangel Gabriel makes his first appearance in the Bible in Daniel (8:16, 9:21, 10:4 and 12:6) . According to Luke, Gabriel was the herald of the birth of John the Baptist as well as of Jesus Christ. In the Jewish scriptures he is also the angel of death. Dressed in a tunic and carrying a staff, he has also been depicted with a lily sprig, the symbol of Mary’s virginity, since the 13th century. He is invariably present in images of the annunciation (Mary’s Message) of Jesus, usually with a messenger staff and a scepter on icons as a symbol that he has received authority from God.
Archangel Gabriel / Source: Duccio di Buoninsegna, Wikimedia Commons (Public domain)
Divine attributes
In paintings , frescoes and icons, Gabriel is often depicted with one or more of the following divine attributes:
- Tunic or liturgical vestment.
- Bodestaf.
- Lily or olive branch (symbol of Mary’s virginity).
- Scepter (authority or power of God).
- Trumpet (announcement of important events).
Feast Days of Gabriel
His holidays are:
- March 24; the day before the Annunciation of Mary.
- September 29; together with, among others, the archangels Raphael and Michael.
Noah and the power of God
The name Gabriel is derived from the Hebrew words geber (strong) and el (God), or power of God. In Islam this archangel is called Gabriel. Joseph Smith, founder of the Mormon Church, suggested that Gabriel may have been the patriarch Noah. In any case, this claim is supported by a footnote in one of the Mormon scriptures. In Luke 1:11-20 , Gabriel announces the birth of John the Baptist to Zacharias. The expectant father did not believe it, whereupon Gabriel said: I am the angel Gabriel, always in God’s presence, and sent to convey this good news to you. In the Bible book of Daniel 9:21 , Gabriel proclaims during Daniel’s prayer how and when God will forgive and forget the Israelites’ fall into sin.
Gabriel and Islam
In the Koran this archangel is called Gabriel. He also fulfills the role of divine messenger of the revelations to the prophets. According to Islamic tradition, Jibreel (Gabriel) dictated the Koran to the prophet Mohammed and was his companion on the journeys (perhaps dreamed) that Mohammed undertook to Jerusalem, heaven and hell.
The Annunciation, icon of the central iconostasis, Kazan Cathedral, St. Petersburg, Russia / Source: Vladimir Borovikovsky, Wikimedia Commons (Public domain), onclick=,openImage(this);,>Archangel Gabriel from The Annunciation , icon of the central iconostasis, Kazan Cathedral, St. Petersburg, Russia / Source: Vladimir Borovikovsky, Wikimedia Commons (Public domain)
Archangel Gabriel – the yellow ray of light
In mysticism, the archangels are compared to the rays of divine light, such as white light that breaks up through a prism into the rainbow colors. In that respect, Archangel Gabriel is the yellow ray of light, symbolized by Mercury and the crystal citrine. Archangel Gabriel rules the air, or information. He is helped by the other archangels. Gabriel means authority of God. Archangel Gabriel also has many divine tasks. He is both messenger and creator and in that sense the patron saint of musicians, writers and poets. Gabriel supports everyone who takes creative and spiritual paths and is involved in the formation of innovative ideas.
Invocation of the Archangel Gabriel
Anyone with a creative, creative spirit, for the benefit of fellow man, will find a passionate ally in the Archangel Gabriel.
His invocation during prayer is:
Gabriel, stand with me as I listen to the creative voice within me and
hear
the true message of my soul. Help me to spread beauty, wisdom and joy, and to generously develop my creative power, without thought of personal gain.
read more
- The eight exalted archangels – Michael
- The eight exalted archangels – Raphael
- The eight exalted archangels – Uriel
- The eight exalted archangels – Sandalphon
- The eight exalted archangels – Zadkiel