symbol
Prophet's Beard
Wilderness prophet—pair with raven, fire, or chariot.
Iconography & biography archive
Era: 9th century BC (biblical narrative) · IsraelFeast: July 20 (Carmelite); July 20 in Byzantine traditionCategory: Old Testament
Sources: 1–2 Kings; Malachi 4:5; Carmelite spiritual tradition; Transfiguration presence.
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Browse depictions13 works
Selected depiction
Elijah (Abraham van Dijck - The Prophet Elijah with the Wido)
Wikimedia Commons
Old Testament
Elijah
Elias
Feast: July 20 (Carmelite); July 20 in Byzantine tradition
Intermediate difficulty
prophet—calls fire from heaven and ascends in a chariot of flame.
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Iconographic Attributes
Symbols that identify this saint in sacred art
symbol
Prophet's Beard
Wilderness prophet—pair with raven, fire, or chariot.
object
Mantle
Wilderness prophet type
object
Altar
Contest with prophets of Baal
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Iconographic Field Guide
How to read Elijah in paintings, sculpture, and altarpieces
Ravens with bread, Carmel altar fire, and fiery chariot are the three pillars. Hairy mantle distinguishes him from court prophets. John the Baptist echoes Elijah but wears camel skin and points to the Lamb.
object
Mantle
Wilderness prophet type
object
Altar
Contest with prophets of Baal
Typical vesture
- —hairy mantle
- —prophet robes
Color conventions
Artists often dress Elijah in brown, red (fire)—these hues are not rigid rules but long-standing conventions that help recognition in polyptychs and chapel cycles.
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Visual Gallery
Selected depictions of Elijah from verified sources
Wikimedia Commons
Painting
Elijah (Abraham van Dijck - The Prophet Elijah with the Wido)
Wikimedia Commons
Painting
Elijah (Anne Margaret Coke (Viscountess Anson) (1778-1843) -)
Wikimedia Commons
Painting
Elijah (British (English) School - The Prophet Elijah - 1430)
Wikimedia Commons
Painting
Elijah (Elijah fed by ravens NL 17th century.jpg)
Wikimedia Commons
Painting
Elijah (ELIJAH FED BY RAVENS-saam-1986.65.294 2.jpg)
Wikimedia Commons
Painting
Elijah (Elijah Fed by the Raven sc1073.jpg)
Wikimedia Commons
Painting
Elijah (Elijah fed by the ravens.jpg)
Wikimedia Commons
Painting
Elijah (Gaspar de Crayer - The prophet Elijah fed by a raven)
Wikimedia Commons
Painting
Elijah (Giovanni Girolamo Savoldo, Elijah Fed by the Raven, )
Wikimedia Commons
Painting
Elijah (Guercino - Elijah fed by Ravens, 1620.jpg)
Wikimedia Commons
Painting
Elijah (John Martin - The Ravens Feeding Elijah - B1977.14.4)
Wikimedia Commons
Painting
Elijah (Mikael Toppelius Elijah Ravens 1775.JPG)
Wikimedia Commons
Painting
Elijah (Prophet Elijah, Serbian painter, 18th c.jpg)
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Biographical Archive
Life, witness, and historical framing
ends his earthly story without dying—a rarity that made art love the chariot scene. Carmelites still read him as model of fiery prayer.
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Visual Recognition Guide
Clues ordered for museum identification
1.Ravens bringing bread
Fed by ravens at the brook Cherith
2.Fiery chariot and horses
Ascension in 2 Kings 2
3.Prophetic beard and mantle
Wilderness prophet type
4.Altar fire on Carmel
Contest with prophets of Baal
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Patronage and Devotion
Why communities invoke this figure
prophetsCarmelites (spiritual father)
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Distinguishing Similar Figures
Avoid common misidentifications in galleries
Often confused with Moses: Both prophets with beard; chariot or ravens identify Elijah
Often confused with John the Baptist: New Elijah typology; Baptist has lamb and camel skin
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Notes from the Archive
Scholarly curiosities and cult details
- ✝Carmelite spirituality claims Elijah as spiritual founder
At a glance
- Feast
- July 20 (Carmelite); July 20 in Byzantine tradition
- Category
- Old Testament
- Difficulty
- Intermediate
- Patron of
- prophetsCarmelites (spiritual father)
Life & legacy
Elijah ends his earthly story without dying—a rarity that made art love the chariot scene. Carmelites still read him as model of fiery prayer.
Curiosities
- Carmelite spirituality claims Elijah as spiritual founder
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