Michael

Authors: Doris Vickers, Susanne M Hoffmann

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S. Michaelis constellation in Schiller, 1627 (public domain, Linda hall Library)

S. Michaelis Archangeli, the constellation of Archangel Michael, is an Early Modern, European constellation in Ursa Minor. It was introduced by Julius Schiller^?.

Julius Schiller (d. 1627) was an Augustinian monk and astronomer from Augsburg. In collaboration with Johann Bayer, he published the Coelum Stellatum Christianum, an attempt to "Christianize" the heavens. Schiller organized the heavens by placing New Testament symbols in the north and Old Testament figures in the south, while famously replacing the twelve zodiac signs with the Twelve Apostles.

Unlike Bayer’s famous Uranometria, Schiller’s work remained a historical curiosity. He depicted the stars mirror-reversed, viewing the firmament from "God’s perspective" looking down toward Earth, a style common for celestial globes but rare for printed maps. Despite its radical imagery, the atlas remained scientifically rigorous for its time. Schiller utilized Johann Bayer's data, which was largely based on the precise observations of Tycho Brahe.

Schiller’s constellations never gained much popularity. Only Dutch cartographer and cosmographer Andreas Cellarius used them in two plates in his 1660 publication Harmonia Macrocosmica.

Concordance, Etymology, History

Origin of Constellation

In Julius Schiller’s Coelum Stellatum Christianum (1627), the constellation Ursa Minor was reimagined as Saint Michael the Archangel. By placing the leader of the heavenly armies at the very pivot of the northern sky, Schiller created a powerful theological symbol: the Archangel Michael stands as the eternal guardian of the North Pole, around whom all other stars revolve. This position mirrored Michael’s role in Christian tradition as the defender of the faith and the chief opponent of darkness, effectively turning the celestial pole into a "throne" of divine protection.

True to Schiller’s commitment to scientific accuracy, the figure of the Archangel was carefully overlaid onto the existing stars of Ursa Minor. Polaris, the North Star, was positioned in Michael’s raised sword, while the other stars of Ursa Minor formed the contours of his radiant wings and flowing robes.

Spelling Variants

• Sanctus Michael Archangelus, Princeps Militae (Latin Nominative)
• Sancti Michaelis Archangeli, Principis Militae (Latin Genitive )

Identifications

Depending on the season and context, the term "..." can have the following identifications:

• 

  Folio 23 of Cellarius' Harmonia Macrocosmica. The second [Southern] hemisphere of the Christian starry heavens.

  (a) The ... (also ..., ...)
• (b) The ... (also ..., ...)
• (c) The tail of ... (... Scorpii)

Sources, Transfer and Transformation of the Constellation

In his 1661 masterpiece Harmonia Macrocosmica, Andreas Cellarius devoted a significant section (pages 162-173) to the celestial maps of Julius Schiller. Although Cellarius preserved Schiller’s unique constellation arrangements, these plates were enhanced with vibrant hand-coloring and newly commissioned decorative borders, blending Schiller's vision with Cellarius's signature aesthetic.

Folio 22 of Cellarius' Harmonia Macrocosmica. The first [Northern] hemisphere of the Christian starry heavens.

Religion/ Mythology

mnemonic tales and cultural significance

References

• References (general)