Title: "Gabriel"
© 1997 Pauline Ross
Original Size 22" x 28"
Acrylic/Mixed Media on Canvas Framed
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Note: Copyright imprint not on Prints

An image of surprise and mystery. Other than the pharaoh, crescent moon and outlining of the large pyramid, nothing else was planned. Sponging in the sky revealed and array of figures most intriguing, the archangel floating above the large pyramid. When I spotted the angel I felt compelled to add wings. He has no hands or feet.

Symbolism

Waning Moon - last quarter of the moon, seen in the morning hours. Represents the Archangel Gabriel in cabalistic mysticism. In the Bible, Gabriel appeared before Daniel as a messenger of God, 8:19, and he said, ”Behold, I will make thee know what shall be in the 1st end of the indignation: for at the time appointed the end shall be.” In Luke 1:26 Gabriel appeared before Mary and said, “ Hail, thou art highly favored, the Lord is with thee; blessed art thou among women.”

Archangels - source of wisdom and power - privy to the secrets of nature.

Birds - Freedom from the physical restrictions of earth bound life and the ascent of the soul to the gods, either through mystical experience or through death. Birds also represent messengers from higher powers, whether for good or ill.

The Body - the tomb - ancients saw the tomb as a gateway to another life and buried their dead with objects for the journey between two worlds.

Triangles and Pyramids - the magical number three represents the sacred trinity. Pointing upward the triangle stands for ascent to heaven, fire, the active male principle; reversed it symbolizes grace descending from heaven, water, the passive feminine element. The most evocative of three dimensional symbols, the pyramid represents the world axis. Its apex symbolizes the highest point of spiritual attainment, with the body of the structure representing man’s ascent through the hierarchy of enlightenment.