Barachiel — “the Blessing (or Lightning) of God” — is the archangel of blessings, good fortune, and lightning in Jewish and Christian tradition: the angel who showers the blessings of God upon the faithful, the chief of the guardian angels, and the patron of all who seek divine favour, abundance, and protection. He is the bestower of heaven’s blessings.
The Blessing of God
Barachiel (Barakiel, Baraqiel, “the blessing of God” or “lightning of God”) is the archangel of blessings, good fortune, and the bestowal of divine favour. He is the angel who distributes the blessings of God to humankind — the bounty, the good fortune, the protection, and the grace that descend from heaven — and he is invoked by those who seek blessing, abundance, success, and divine favour in their lives. He is often depicted scattering rose petals (a symbol of the blessings he bestows) from his robes, or holding a basket of bread or roses.
The Chief of the Guardian Angels
Barachiel is named in some traditions as the chief or leader of the guardian angels — the angel who oversees the host of guardian angels assigned to watch over and protect human beings, and thus the patron of divine protection and guardianship. He is counted among the seven archangels who stand before the Throne of God in the tradition of the seven (with [michael], [gabriel], [raphael], [uriel], and others), each governing a sphere of divine action — Barachiel’s being the bestowal of blessings and the oversight of the guardians.
The Bestower of Fortune
Barachiel is associated with lightning (a sign of divine power and favour descending from heaven), with good fortune and luck, and with the blessings of family, abundance, and protection. He is invoked for blessing, good luck, success in endeavours, and divine protection, the angel who opens the way for heaven’s bounty to descend. As an archangel of blessing and the chief of the guardians, he holds an important and beloved place. In Barachiel, Jewish and Christian tradition gave form to divine blessing and good fortune — the archangel who showers heaven’s blessings upon the faithful, the chief of the guardian angels, the bestower of fortune, abundance, and protection, the lightning and the grace of God descending upon humankind.