Annunciation March 25 (April 7) Luke 1:26-38 The colors of Mary (Theotokos or ‘God bearer’) are reversed from that of Christ: red (her human existence) came first before her spiritual/heavenly life (blue). Three stars on her (head and shoulders) reveal that she was a virgin before, during and after the Nativity. Her halo radiates from her symbolizing the grace within her. She is seated on a throne with a hand raised in greeting. The red (earthly) drapery over the disappearing/partial building roof at the tops shows the scene happens inside. The gold background indicates God’s divine presence the event. The angel Gabriel’s bent leg and feet position convey quick entrance (or landing) in room from the spiritual realm. He is attired as an Imperial ambassador with tunic and cloak and red arm band. He holds a staff which is a symbol of authority in one hand will reaching the other out in greeting. A beam of light symbolic of the Trinity (with the Holy Spirit shown as a dove) comes down toward Mary’s head showing the power which will ‘come upon her’ when she accepts God mission for her. Mary’s other hand hold yarn used for spinning the veil of the Temple. The reflecting her earlier role as a Jewish Temple Virgin but more so symbolizes the body of Christ who appears inside of her at the incarnation.