(Sk.). Defined in theology as the highest rank of spiritual messengers. Theosophical writings define them as a symbol of primordial Divine Powers on the highest planes of manifestation, equivalent to the Dhyāni-Chohan. They play a part in the creation of the spiritual universe on which the physical manifested universe is modeled. Christian tradition names seven archangels, but they are but the eighth class of beings in the celestial hierarchy.

In The Secret Doctrine, Helena P. BLAVATSKY states: “The seven sublime lords are the Seven Creative Spirits, the Dhyan-Chohans, who correspond to the Hebrew Elohim. It is the same hierarchy of Archangels to which St. Michael, St. Gabriel, and others belong, in the Christian theogony” (SD I:42).

P.S.H.

© Copyright by the Theosophical Publishing House, Manila