Mariological and ecclesiological interpretation of the image of the Woman from Apocalypse 12
In chapter 12 of the Apocalypse, key to the whole work, there appears the mysterious figure of a Woman clothed with the sun. Throughout history, this figure has been interpreted in many different ways. The average reader spontaneously associates her with Mary, as artists often portray the Mother of Christ according to the apocalyptic description; however, the oldest commentators saw in the Woman the People of God of the Old and New Testaments. Later on, the Marian-ecclesiological interpretation became widespread – and is often accepted in our Times – which perceives the Woman as both Mary and the Church. Certain elements of the description of the Woman are more suited to Mary, others – to the Church, and many can be interpreted in both senses. This is shown in the second part of the article, which discusses the individual symbolic elements of the image of the Woman, emphasizing the references to the texts of the Old Testament.
Keywords: Apocalypse 12, Woman, Mary, Church
Abstrakt
W rozdziale 12. Apokalipsy św. Jana, kluczowym dla całości dzieła, pojawia się tajemnicza postać Niewiasty obleczonej w słońce. Na przestrzeni dziejów bardzo różnie interpretowano tę postać. Przeciętny czytelnik spontanicznie kojarzy ją z Maryją, gdyż artyści często przedstawiają
Matkę Chrystusa zgodnie z apokaliptycznym opisem; jednak najstarsi komentatorzy widzieli w Niewieście Lud Boży Starego i Nowego Testamentu. Później rozpowszechniła się – i jest często akceptowana w naszych czasach – interpretacja maryjno-eklezjologiczna, dopatrująca się w Niewieście zarówno Maryi, jak i Kościoła. Pewne elementy opisu Niewiasty bardziej pasują bowiem do Maryi, inne – do Kościoła, a wiele można interpretować w obu znaczeniach. Ukazuje to druga część artykułu, w której omówiono poszczególne elementy symboliczne obrazu Niewiasty, podkreślając nawiązania do tekstów Starego Testamentu.
In chapter 12 of the Apocalypse, key to the whole work, there appears the mysterious figure of a Woman clothed with the sun. Throughout history, this figure has been interpreted in many different ways. The average reader spontaneously associates her with Mary, as artists often portray the Mother of Christ according to the apocalyptic description; however, the oldest commentators saw in the Woman the People of God of the Old and New Testaments. Later on, the Marian-ecclesiological interpretation became widespread – and is often accepted in our Times – which perceives the Woman as both Mary and the Church. Certain elements of the description of the Woman are more suited to Mary, others – to the Church, and many can be interpreted in both senses. This is shown in the second part of the article, which discusses the individual symbolic elements of the image of the Woman, emphasizing the references to the texts of the Old Testament.
