Vision (spirituality)

A vision is something seen in a dream, trance, or religious ecstasy, especially a supernatural appearance that usually conveys a revelation.^[1] Visions generally have more clarity than dreams, but traditionally fewer psychological connotations. Visions are known to emerge from spiritual traditions and could provide a lens into human nature and reality.^[2] Prophecy is often associated with visions.

Vision of Jeremiah in the of the Book of Jeremiah, a boiling pot from the north.

first chapter

in the first chapter of the Book of Isaiah, predicting the siege of Jerusalem and destruction of the first temple.

Vision of Isaiah

Vision of God in the of the Book of Ezekiel (6th century BC)^[8]

first chapter

Vision of a heavenly figure "like a " in Daniel 7:13 (6th century / 2nd century BC)^[9]

son of man

Post-resurrection appearances of Jesus

's vision of Jesus on the road to Damascus (1st century)^[10]

Paul the Apostle

(visions or visitations of Mary, mother of Jesus) (1st century AD – present)^[11]

Marian apparitions

Visions of the afterlife in the martyr accounts of (2nd century AD)^[12]

Perpetua and Felicity

of Christ's sign (312 AD)^[13]

Constantine's vision

’s visions of angelic figures taking him through heaven and hell (7th century AD)^[14]

Saint Fursey

's vision (1600 AD), in which he observed the beauty of a beam of sunlight in a pewter dish^[15]

Jakob Böhme

' series of dreams on the night of 11 November 1619, which set the course of his life in science^[16]

René Descartes

's vision of 23 November 1654, which reinvigorated his spiritual commitment^[17]

Blaise Pascal

's visions, which formed the basis of a newly revealed doctrine (beginning in the 1740s)^[18]

Emanuel Swedenborg

's First Vision (1820), including Throne-Theophany of Lehi in the First Book of Nephi in 1 Nephi 1:8–11 (6th century BC)^[19]

Joseph Smith

: Oliver Cowdery, David Whitmer and Martin Harris claimed that they were shown the Book of Mormon's golden plates by an angel on 28 June 1829. They also stated that they heard a voice from heaven declaring that they were translated miraculously. With over 150 documented statements, it is the most well-documented vision in history.^[20]

The Three Witnesses

had several visions of religious figures including Kali, Sita, Krishna, Jesus, and Muhammed. (mid/late 19th century)^[21]

Ramakrishna

vision of 12 February 1831, in which he saw an actual eclipse of the sun that day as a black man's hand covering the solar orb, interpreting it as a sign to launch his slave rebellion.^[22]

Nat Turner's

Visions are listed in approximately chronological order whenever possible, although some dates may be in dispute.