The Archangel Michael
Michael is a prominent angel - generally accepted to be one of the archangels - in Abrahamic religions. He is usually portrayed as a warrior angel, amongst other things, the leader of Heaven's army. He is described as 'one of the chief princes' (Daniel 10:13) and the defender of Israel 'who stands up for the children of [Daniel's] people' (Daniel 10:21, 12:1). His name means 'who is like God'.
In Judaism
Michael appears in the Book of Daniel along with the archangel Gabriel in a vision seen by Daniel, the leader of the Jews during their exile in Babylon. There he is identified as the protector of Israel and the one who will defend them through their troubles.
Michael may also appear in the Book of Joshua as 'the captain of the host of the Lord' (i.e. the leader of God's angels). This figure is unnamed but shares some of Michael's characteristics.
Once when Joshua was near Jericho, he looked up and saw a man standing before him with a drawn sword in his hand. Joshua went to him and said to him, 'Are you one of us, or one of our adversaries?' He replied, 'Neither; but as commander of the army of the LORD I have now come.' And Joshua fell on his face to the earth and worshipped, and he said to him, 'What do you command your servant, my lord?' The commander of the army of the LORD said to Joshua, 'Remove the sandals from your feet, for the place where you stand is holy.' And Joshua did so.
- Joshua 5:13�15
Jewish rabbinic tradition also has Michael as the advocate of Israel. As such, he the enemy of the fallen angel Samael (often thought to be Satan's original name before he fell from Heaven), who acts as Israel's accuser and tried to drag Michael down with him by grabbing his wings as he fell from Heaven. Michael was saved by God.
Michael has numerous other roles in Jewish lore: he rescued Abraham from a furnace into which he had been thrown, he announced to Sarah that she would have a son and he rescued Lot from the city of Sodom as it was destroyed. Some sources say that he was the angel who saved Isaac from being sacrificed by providing a ram as an alternate victim. Some sources say that he was the angel with whom Jacob wrestled (although several other angels have been suggested).
(Michael is accredited with many other deeds. See Wikipedia for more info.)
In Christianity
In the Epistle of Jude (found in the New Testament), Michael argues with Satan over the body of Moses. He is mentioned in Revelation; there is an account of the War in Heaven in which Michael and his angels battle with Satan's forces and cast them out of Heaven:
And there was a great battle in heaven, Michael and his angels fought with the dragon, and the dragon and his angels fought back. But he was not strong enough, and they lost their place in heaven.
- Revelation 12:7-8
In Christian legend, Michael was originally something of a healing figure, a physician and one who took care of the sick. In Normandy he is seen as the patron of sailors. The Catholic Church calls him the angel of death who carries righteous souls to Heaven, the guardian of the church, patron of the military and archenemy of the Devil and the other fallen angels.
The Apocalypse of Moses (not found in the Bible) agrees with the Jewish traditions that say that Michael was the teacher of Moses and gave him the tablets bearing the Ten Commandments.
Mormons believe that Michael came to earth and lived as Adam, therefore all of Adam's descendants are descendants of Michael. Jehovah's Witnesses also believe that Michael lived a mortal life, but that of Jesus Christ. They believe that Michael was the first being created by God and that the rest of the universe was created through him.
In Islam
Michael is also seen as an archangel in Islam, but often appears second to Gabriel. In Arabic, his name is translated as Mikhal (or various other spellings). He is described as a good angel who brings peace and plenty, and he is said to stand at the left hand of God (note that the same is said about Gabriel in other sources, and Michael is said to be on God's right). He is associated with delivering blessings and it is said that he comforted Eve after her expulsion from Eden.
On his death-bed, the Prophet Muhammed stated that Gabriel would be the first and Michael the second to pray over him.
In New Age Religions
Michael is often associated with the colours red, orange, white and gold, the direction South and the element of Fire. Some sources say that he is the spirit of the Sun or the planet Mercury and that he rules over Sunday and/or Thursday. He is identified as the angel of courage, motivation, protection and success as well as the bringer of patience.
In Art
Michael is often represented as a warrior, clad in armour and bearing a sword and shield, often standing over the fallen/falling angels (especially Satan who is sometimes represented by a dragon). In Renaissance art he is usually young and handsome. He sometimes holds a pair of scales with which he 'weighs' souls, indicating that he has a part to play in the Judgement.
The Fanlisting
I decided to make a fanlisting for Michael much for the same reasons as I did for Gabriel (shameless plug): I'm interested in angels and angelology and I like looking at the different ways in which archangels are portrayed in art and fiction. I especially like Michael because I like the idea of a gutsy, warrior angel ^^
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