On Wings of Lightning

Origins | On Wings of Lightning

We are light manifested into physical form so it is little wonder that our deities, and messengers thereof, would be luminous. The concept of angels, as intermediaries between the divine and human realms, possessing a luminous essence could have been influenced by earlier mythological traditions, including stories of powerful celestial beings like stormbirds or thunderbirds. These myths, which feature intermediary figures often associated with the sky, weather, and divine power, may have contributed to the development of angelic concepts in later religious thought.

God's destroying angel and the Army of Sennacherib

God's destroying angel, commanded to annihilate the Army of Sennacherib

The duality of angels—capable of both benevolent and malevolent actions—reflects the complexity of divine justice and the multifaceted nature of divine beings. Thunderbirds, or stormbirds, according to legends, could be protective or destructive, and were of such immense power that people feared, worshiped and revered them. And it is no wonder! Having survived a category 5 hurricane in my lifetime, I can see why ancient peoples would have been awed by the sheer force of these storms. Although they are immensely powerful, I have to say that I do miss the dark and ominous thunderstorms, we rarely get them here in Britain.

The thunderbird is a powerful and revered spirit in many Native American cultures. Often depicted as a giant bird capable of producing thunder by flapping its wings and lightning by opening and closing its eyes, the thunderbird serves as a protector and a bringer of rain, essential for agriculture, and it often plays a central role in the cosmology and stories of the people.

The Menominee tribe of Wisconsin tells of a great mountain that floats in the western sky where thunderbirds dwell. They are constantly fighting the great horned snakes who rule the underworld, to prevent them from taking over the Earth and devouring mankind. They are considered messengers from the Great Sun.
Other Native American tales speak of a thunderbird named Wakinyan who was sent by Wakan Tanka (the Great Spirit) to teach humans how to live in harmony with nature. He is like a raven in color, but with features of an eagle, Wakinyan was benevolent, teaching tribes how to hunt buffalo, make fire, and use tobacco for ceremonies. But he can also be malevolent, and is called upon in times of war.

In Siberian and Central Asian shamanic traditions, particularly among the Buryat and Mongol peoples, there is a storm bird known as the Garuda or Khangarid, a giant bird that is often associated with the heavens and storms. The Garuda is a powerful, divine bird, who constantly

wars with the great serpent or nagas.

Garuda (khrut) sculpture in Thailand, a cultural and national symbol associated with Lord Vishnu

In Sumerian mythology, the Anzu bird (also known as Imdugud) is a mythological creature that appears in the story of Lugalbanda and other Mesopotamian myths. The Anzu is associated with storms and possesses supernatural powers, including the ability to control the weather. In the Lugalbanda myth the Anzu bird has a complex role, combining aspects of both a powerful adversary and a divine helper. Lugalbanda must confront and appease the Anzu bird, who plays a crucial part in his journey.

In ancient Iranian mythology, particularly in the traditions of the peoples living in the Zagros Mountains, there is the myth of the Simurgh, a gigantic bird with both protective and destructive powers. The Simurgh is often depicted as a benevolent creature but one that is closely tied to the forces of nature, including storms and rain. The Simurgh also shares similarities with the Anzu bird in that it is a composite creature, often described with features of a lion, an eagle, and other animals. It is reputedly so old that it has witnessed the destruction of the world three times.

Mythological birds, like the Anzu bird, the Simurgh, and the Garuda, were often depicted as radiant and powerful creatures. Their luminous quality, whether literally or metaphorically, could have inspired later depictions of angels as beings of divine light and energy

In Turkic mythology, which has its roots in the steppes of Central Asia and Siberia, the god Ülgen is often associated with a powerful eagle. This eagle serves as a messenger and intermediary between Ülgen, who resides in the heavens, and the earthly realm. The eagle, in some traditions, is connected with storms and the forces of nature, much like the thunderbird.

“The Ash Yggdrasil”, illustration by
Carla Wenckebach, 1898

In Ugaritic tradition, Ba‛al Hadad, one of the dying and rising gods, was a mighty storm and fertility deity. He who rides the clouds, Hadad was constantly at war with the god of the underworld, Mot. It should be noted that Hadad’s consort was his sister Anath, the ferocious goddess of war who is portrayed as a young girl, and one of my favourite deities ever. She is also synonymous with Inanna in that she was a goddess of love and war.

It is difficult to miss the similarities between the thunderbird deities and the bird who sits atop the cosmic tree. In fact, in Iranian/Persian mythology, it is the Simurgh mentioned earlier who perches atop a tree in the center of the cosmic ocean Vourukasa. Mircea Eliade, one of the twentieth century’s most groundbreaking and influential historians of religion, writes in his monumental work Shamanism: Archaic Techniques of Ecstasy that "the giant bird ... hatches shamans in the branches of the World Tree".

Interestingly, there is also a Watcher, Baraqiel, who is called “God’s Lightning”. Baraqiel is present in various ancient texts, but his role differs in each one. From teaching mankind about the secrets of the stars and signs of Earth in the Book of Enoch, to a chief angel overseeing an army of angels in 3 Enoch and an angel serving under Raphael in the Zohar. Maybe he was all of these, a very complex and multi-dimensional being who brought us the knowledge of the heavens.

It is easy to image the Biblical scribes taking stories about storm birds or thunder birds as inspiration for angels. Their luminosity, power, and capability to be both benevolent and malevolent would seem to fit well with Biblical narratives.