Angels-COLOR, ANGELS AND

Color has long been one attribute strongly associated with angelic
visions. Color is actually the saturation and the brightness of reflected
light upon an object, therefore the angelic vision can portray many
color sensations through the human eye. Artists over the centuries
have tried to accentuate the visual by adding luminous color surrounding
the angel figure or including multi-hued wings and halos.
Within biblical reference the color white is used several times in
association with an angelic presence. This is especially noted in the
recounting of the resurrection sequence found within the Gospels. An
example appears in Matt. 28:2–3, “And, behold, there was a great
earthquake: for the angel of the Lord descended from heaven, and
came and rolled back the stone from the door, and sat upon it. His
countenance was like lightning, and his raiment white as snow.”
There has also been some color associations assigned to the various
ranks of angels. These can be looked upon only as an easier way of categorizing
the positions of the angels, with no such reference found in
biblical doctrine. The majority of those who have experienced visual
visitation by angels do report a pervasion of a sensation of light. This
light source has demonstrated many colors, the greatest being white.
It is often stated that when an angel descends to the earth, it
brings with it a part of the light of the heavens, thus perhaps explaining
the strong association of white to represent that light. Others who
have had a close association or visitation with a stronger angelic presence,
associate specific colors to the entire form. Many identify the
color green with Raphael, perhaps to associate the healing of the
earth; gold is widely connected with Gabriel, perhaps to draw emphasis
to his divine messages; Michael is often portrayed in shades of blue
to show his protection and solidarity to the heavens, and perhaps in
reference to the peacock feathers usually associated with this figure.
When someone sees an angel they bring their own perceptions to
the forefront. Each angelic visual is different, therefore one cannot
designate a specific color to an angel or to all angelic beings. Artistic
license is often asserted to create the angelic visuals so common to us
today, but again, these are individual perceptions and should be
viewed as such.