Buzz
Numerous ancient murals are believed to depict aerial phenomena and extraterrestrial beings. Interestingly, such imagery is also present in traditional, commissioned artworks, especially those portraying religious or divine occurrences. Could there be a link between the divine and extraterrestrial activity? A group of enthusiasts argues that these 10 renowned artworks unmistakably depict UFOs.
10. The Annunciation With Saint Emidus, 1486
The Annunciation with Saint Emidus, created in 1486 by Italian painter Carlo Crivelli, depicts the Virgin Mary just before she becomes aware that she will bear Jesus the saviour.
Most conventional art experts and historians describe the beam of light descending from a circular opening in the sky to Mary’s head as the divine halo of the Lord.
On the other hand, UFO and extraterrestrial enthusiasts view the halo as a disc-shaped UFO. They propose that Jesus’s origin was not divine but rather the outcome of genetic manipulation and the implantation of a child into the unsuspecting Immaculate Conception. They suggest she was taken and impregnated by an alien species.
They contend that the beam of light hitting Mary indoors aligns with contemporary accounts of alien abductions. Many who report being abducted mention encountering a mysterious light while inside their homes.
9. The Crucifixion Of Christ (Kosovo), 1350
The Crucifixion of Christ, displayed above the altar at the Visoki Decani Monastery in Kosovo, portrays the crucifixion of Jesus Christ with distinct flying objects in each corner of the artwork.
More intriguingly, each craft appears to have a pilot. The figure in the top right corner is glancing backward at the object behind him, as though being chased. Both pilots seem to be wearing space-like attire. The absence of halos around them suggests they are not celestial beings.
Conventional interpretations propose that the UFOs symbolize the Sun and the Moon. However, the Christian church does not regard the Sun or Moon as deities or divine entities. During the time this painting was made, such an interpretation would have been deemed heretical and punishable by death.
8. The Baptism Of Christ, 1710
The Baptism of Christ, created by Dutch painter Aert de Gelder in 1710, depicts a disc-shaped object emitting multiple beams of light onto the baptism scene below.
Gelder was a devoted pupil of Rembrandt, leading some to speculate that he had access to the Vatican’s art archives and their “hidden knowledge.” Consequently, many argue that Gelder’s works, particularly this one, subtly communicate that concealed wisdom to the public.
The truth of this claim remains debatable. However, the presence of four distinct light columns (instead of a single beam) radiating from the object implies it could be a tangible entity.
This artwork is currently displayed at the Fitzwilliam Museum in Cambridge, United Kingdom.
7. The Madonna With Saint Giovannino, Late 1400s
In the artwork The Madonna with Saint Giovannino, a flying object is positioned above and behind the Madonna’s left shoulder. A man gazes upward at the object, while his dog seems to bark at it, hinting that the object is not of divine origin.
The craft is surrounded by rays of light. The Madonna’s protective stance toward her children has led some to believe she is shielding them from the object. Additionally, her halo appears darker and less distinct in this painting. Could this be connected to the object in the sky? Did it diminish her divine aura?
An alternative theory proposes that the object symbolizes Domenico Ghirlandaio, the artist. The piece is thought to have been painted in the latter half of the 15th century, though some attribute it to Jacopo del Sellaio or Sebastiano Mainardi.
6. Triumph Of Summer Tapestry, 1538
The Triumph of Summer tapestry, crafted in Bruges, Belgium, in 1538, features several objects resembling modern UFOs. In the upper left section, saucer-shaped objects with raised sections appear—resembling cockpits.
Since no known religious symbols match this description, it is likely these objects do not represent anything divine. The artwork is meant to illustrate a ruler’s rise to power, making the inclusion of these strange crafts puzzling.
One possibility is that the artist was depicting a natural phenomenon he had witnessed. This tapestry is now on display at the Bayerisches Nationalmuseum in Germany.
5. La Tebaide, Mid-1400s
Created in the mid-1400s, La Tebaide (also known as Scene di vita eremitica) presents a collage of vignettes depicting different facets and ideologies of monastic existence. One segment of this artwork features Jesus on the cross, where keen observers have identified a small, crimson, disc-like UFO at the base of the scene.
Skeptics argue that the red, saucer-like object is merely a classic cardinal’s hat associated with St. Jerome, the figure kneeling before the cross.
Conversely, UFO enthusiasts suggest that the red streaks emanating from the “UFO” indicate its unpredictable motion. However, these streaks are likely the fringes of the traditional headwear. Additionally, this hat is depicted in numerous other artworks featuring St. Jerome, often positioned near him, as seen in this painting.
La Tebaide can currently be viewed at the Academy of Florence in Italy.
4. The Miracle of the Snow (1428–1432)
Painted by Masolino da Panicale, The Miracle of the Snow illustrates the legendary tale of snow falling in Rome during a sweltering August day in the fourth century.
As the townspeople examined this bizarre weather phenomenon, Jesus and Mary were depicted sitting on a cloud, overseeing the event. While some might argue the cloud symbolizes Heaven, the sky behind them is filled with numerous disc-shaped “clouds,” adding an intriguing element to the scene.
Would a meticulous artist, known for attention to detail, render a cloud in such a simplistic manner? UFO enthusiasts argue otherwise, proposing that these formations are actually UFOs, possibly connected to the legend itself.
This idea holds some weight, as UFO sightings have occasionally been associated with unusual weather patterns. For instance, on October 27, 1954, multiple egg-shaped crafts were observed flying across the sky in Florence during broad daylight.
At one moment, the crafts paused above a football stadium, seemingly observing the activities below. Numerous witnesses reported seeing a “silver glitter” descending from the sky as the mysterious objects passed by. Upon closer inspection, the glitter resembled snowflakes when it landed on the ground.
3. The Crucifixion of Christ (Georgia) Circa 1600s
Much like the previously mentioned The Crucifixion of Christ (Kosovo), the fresco of The Crucifixion of Christ in Svetishoveli Cathedral, Mtskheta, Georgia, distinctly features flying objects on both sides of the Cross. Upon closer inspection, each object appears to contain a face, suggesting that someone is operating each vessel.
The notion of extraterrestrials being present during pivotal moments in Jesus’s life resonates with some ancient astronaut theorists. They strongly propose that Jesus was an alien-human hybrid.
These theorists argue that Mary, Jesus’s human mother, was artificially impregnated with a fetus containing alien DNA. They further assert that “Angel Gabriel” was a physical alien who performed the procedure, convincing Mary it was a divine dream and that he was a messenger of God.
If this theory holds, Mary would also be considered one of the earliest documented cases of alien abduction in history.
2. Glorification of the Eucharist (Early 1600s)
Some interpret Ventura Salimbeni’s Glorification of the Eucharist, painted around 1600 for the Church of San Pietro in Montalcino, as hinting at the existence of extraterrestrial life or even the concept of time travel.
Some observers argue that the spherical object placed between Jesus and the Holy Father at the painting’s apex serves as a surveillance tool. Notably, a telescopic “lens” is visible on the lower left side of the sphere.
Others highlight the resemblance between the globe and Sputnik 1, the first satellite sent into orbit. These individuals propose that the artist might have had prophetic visions or even experienced time travel, witnessing future events directly.
Traditional historians argue that the object symbolizes a creation globe, with the “antennae” representing the scepters of Jesus and God. Skeptics of this view note the absence of stars on the globe and its metallic sheen, suggesting it is man-made rather than heavenly.
1. ‘Israel, Put Your Hope In The Lord’ Painting (Circa 1600s)
This enigmatic artwork portrays a massive disc-shaped object hovering above a church engulfed in flames. The painting is currently housed in the Church of the Dominican Monastery in Sighisoara, Romania.
This site lies in the fabled area of Transylvania, the birthplace of Vlad III, ruler of Wallachia. He is more widely recognized as “Vlad the Impaler” or “Vlad III Dracula,” the figure who inspired Bram Stoker’s iconic 1897 novel.
There is no clear link between Dracula and the artwork. While conventional historians claim the disc-shaped object is merely a shield, its enormous size and the apparent smoke emanating from it suggest a different interpretation.
The exact origin and creator of the painting remain unknown. The German inscription beneath it reads: Israel, hoffe auf den Herrn (“Israel, put your hope in the Lord”). Given that the Bible wasn’t translated into German until 1523 and the original monastery was destroyed by fire in the 17th century, the painting likely dates to after these events.
