The Archangel Michael is often shown in religious art as a mighty warrior or knight, complete with a shield, armor, and sword. He is often shown as a forbidding-faced, towering man with light hair. His wings, which are often represented as broad and feathered, and the crown or helmet he wears in certain portrayals are also common elements of Michael’s appearance. He has a powerful, protecting aura and is often shown with golden or white wings.
Archangel Michael’s Look Was Never Depicted in the Bible
However, these representations are the artists’ takes on the subject, and they differ from culture to culture and artist to artist. Depending on the culture, Archangel Michael will have darker hair or a completely different outfit. It’s up to individuals to decide what they think Archangel Michael looks like. Because Michael the Archangel’s look was never depicted in the Bible.
Even though Archangel Michael looks more masculine than most men, he is not a man. He is also often referred to with the masculine pronoun “he,” though this is probably just because “he” is more common than “she” or “it.”
- See also: Does Archangel Michael Have a Wife?
Since archangels aren’t as central to the tradition as prophets are, the Bible isn’t really clear on what Archangel Michael looks like. Archangels are the second-lowest ranked angels in the angelic system. Also, they’re two kingdoms above us.
Angels like Michael, in the eyes of most Christians, must have wings. However, the Scripture does not provide such a depiction. This is the inference we make about the means through which angels achieve flight.
Archangel Michael is always depicted as stunningly beautiful and perfect in tradition. But other views say that Archangel Michael is a pure spirit and cannot take on a physical form.
Some depictions of the Archangel Michael have him dressed in pure white or blue garments, representing his virtuous and upright nature.
The Appearance of Archangel Michael
Archangel Michael is Wearing an Armor
Michael is often shown as a heavenly warrior, with a helmet, sword, and shield in the manner of a Byzantine general. Some late-medieval portrayals have him in modern knightly armor.
On the Holy Thorn Reliquary, he wears a robe made of feathers, a common garment for angels in late-medieval art. Often shown with a lance in his hand, he stands atop a serpent, dragon, or the vanquished figure of Satan.
He is Shown Wielding a Sword
St. Michael the Archangel’s sword was fashioned to slay the fallen angel Lucifer and his legions. Michael was the only angel with the loyalty and strength to wield the Flaming Sword. When used, the swords’ holy flames would consume any evil or demonic beings in their vicinity. All that is evil would be burned to ashes. It is a heavenly and extremely deadly fiery sword, bestowed on Michael by God himself.
Archangel Michael is Holding a Scale
At the Second Coming of Christ, the dead will be raised from their graves, judged, and then sent to either heaven or hell. The Archangel Michael is often depicted with a scale in his hands. He balances the scales of justice and assesses the immortal spirits of the dead. The scales will tip in favor of a good person’s soul.
What Do Archangels Look Like?
Many world religions portray archangels as omniscient, omnipotent spiritual entities. However, there isn’t a consensus on what archangels look like. Archangels are depicted in Christian art as winged figures with long robes, swords, or trumpets. They are sometimes represented with glowing or luminous orbs or halos.
For Jews, archangels are angelic spirits that mediate between God and humans. They are not usually portrayed as humanoid figures. Archangels are also seen as powerful and beautiful entities in Islam, yet they are seldom portrayed in their art.
In the end, their fundamental appearance is impossible to fathom or describe in any tangible way. Angels resemble humans but have otherworldly qualities that lead onlookers to gasp in wonder, prompting most people to stoop down in shock if they happen to come face-to-face with an angel.
Since the Bible promises Jesus will return with the voice of an archangel (Thessalonians 4:16), Michael the Archangel also needs to have a thundering voice.
Does Archangel Michael Look Like Jesus?
In Christianity, the meaning of “Michael” is “One Who Is Like God” and the term “Archangel” means “chief of the angels.” According to Revelation 12:7–9, Michael is considered by Jehovah’s Witnesses to be another name for Jesus:
“Then war broke out in heaven. Michael and his angels fought against the dragon, and the dragon and his angels fought back.”
Revelation 12:7–9
In a similar sense, Thessalonians 4:16 says:
“Jesus will descend with the voice of the archangel.”
Thessalonians 4:16
But the Bible doesn’t include any details about Jesus’ appearance either. What little we do know suggests Jesus looked nothing like the traditional depictions. So, this does not help to figure out what Archangel Michael looks like.
Does Archangel Michael Look like Adam?
Since Archangel Michael is often depicted in a humanoid form, the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is the only Christian church that believes Archangel Michael is Adam. But other Christian sects, Judaism, and Islam do not say that Adam is the same as Michael.
If this were true and Archangel Michael would look like Adam, he would have a skin tone somewhere between the dark and light tones as the ancestors of all humans.
The oldest hair colors we’ve ever had are dark brown to black with occasional red highlights. So Archangel Michael’s hair would probably be in that range. Although Archangel Michael is often depicted with blonde hair, this coloration was introduced much later in human lineage.
In the book of Tobit, the archangel Raphael appears to Tobias as a young man. But this Michael-Adam theory is purely speculative and the product of a modern sect; it is not based on any facts.
The Description of the Five Archangels
Some common descriptors of archangels throughout faiths are as follows:
- Archangel Michael: Michael is often represented as an armed warrior, complete with a sword, armor, and shield. He has a powerful, protecting aura and is often shown with golden or white wings.
- Archangel Gabriel: In Islamic tradition, Gabriel is depicted as a towering, dazzling figure with a tremendous presence, and he is said to have 600 wings. Gabriel is often represented in Christian art as a trumpet-blowing messenger angel with a scroll.
- Archangel Raphael: Artists often portray Raphael as a young man wielding a staff or wand, and he may also be pictured with a fish or a bottle of healing balm in his other hands. He is often represented as a kind figure who exudes kindness and compassion.
- Archangel Uriel: Some accounts of Uriel portray him as having black wings and an intense expression on his face. He is usually seen carrying a torch or a book, symbols of his function as a source of illumination and knowledge.
- Archangel Chamuel: A common artistic representation of Chamuel shows him with a pink halo and smiling serenely. As the bringer of love and peace, he is often shown with a heart or a bouquet of flowers.
References
- Featured Image: Gmihail, CC BY-SA 3.0.
- Thessalonians 4:16 NIV – For the Lord himself will come down – Bible Gateway
- Revelation 12:7–9 ESV – Now war arose in heaven,… | Biblia
- Daniel 10:13 – Bible.com
