Mary in the Book of Revelation: the woman clothed with the sun (Rev 12)
Mary in the Book of Revelation is one of the most magnificent pages of Marian Scripture. In chapter 12, Saint John contemplates “a great sign in heaven: a Woman clothed with the sun, with the moon under her feet and a crown of twelve stars” (Rev 12:1). This figure, in combat with the dragon, has been read by the tradition of the Church on three levels – the People of God, the Church, and Mary. This guide explains the scene and its Marian interpretation.
The Woman clothed with the Sun (Rev 12:1-6)
The Woman is with child and gives birth to “a male child, destined to rule all the nations” – the Messiah. The dragon (Satan) places himself before her to devour the child, who is caught up to God. The Woman flees into the desert, where God protects her. It is a cosmic picture of the struggle between God and evil, and of the victory of the Son.
The three levels of reading
- The People of God / Israel – the community that brings forth the Messiah. The crown of twelve stars evokes the twelve tribes.
- The Church – the Woman who continues to give Christ to the world and is persecuted by the dragon; “the rest of her offspring” (Rev 12:17) are Christians.
- Mary – the personal and concrete fulfillment: the Mother of the Messiah, crowned with glory.
These levels do not exclude one another: Mary is, at the same time, the Daughter of Zion who personifies Israel and the perfect image of the Church.
The link with Genesis and the Cross
The “Woman” of Revelation takes up the “woman” of Gen 3:15, whose offspring crushes the serpent (cf. Mary, the New Eve). It is also the same title “Woman” with which Jesus addresses Mary at Cana and at the foot of the Cross. The crown and the sun that clothe her have been read as a sign of her glory in the Assumption and of her queenship.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the Woman of Revelation 12 Mary?
Tradition reads her on three levels (People of God, Church, Mary). The Marian level is legitimate and ancient, but it does not exclude the others.
What do the twelve stars mean?
They evoke the twelve tribes of Israel and the twelve Apostles – Mary as the apex of the old and the new People of God.
See also
Would you like to study Mariology seriously?
This article grows out of the works in the Locus Mariologicus library. The Postgraduate Program in Mariology takes you to the same source, with academic guidance: Scripture, the Fathers of the Church, and the Magisterium, from the first dogma to contemporary questions.
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