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0 / 31 Fotos
Saint Joseph of Cupertino
- The capacity of levitation by Franciscan Friar Joseph of Cupertino is one of the most famous in history.
© Getty Images
1 / 31 Fotos
Saint Joseph of Cupertino
- In 1630, he is said to have started hovering over the crowd during a procession.
© Getty Images
2 / 31 Fotos
Saint Joseph of Cupertino
- Reportedly, Saint Joseph of Cupertino could levitate for quite some time. He is the patron saint of aviation and astronauts.
© Getty Images
3 / 31 Fotos
Simon Magus
- This biblical priest was also known as a sorcerer and magician. He claimed to be a god and levitated to prove exactly that.
© Getty Images
4 / 31 Fotos
Simon Magus
- The Acts of Peter, from the 2nd century, say that "when Simon entered into Rome, he amazed the multitudes by flying." Peter then asked God to make him fall, and Simon Magnus did, breaking his leg.
© Getty Images
5 / 31 Fotos
Padre Pio
- Canonized by Pope John Paul II in 2002, the capuchin monk turned saint is best known for receiving the stigmata around 1911. Padre Pio, however, was also said to be able to levitate.
© Getty Images
6 / 31 Fotos
Padre Pio
- When Padre Pio was asked how it was like to walk on air, he jokingly replied: "I can assure you, my child, it’s just like walking on the floor."
© Getty Images
7 / 31 Fotos
Jesus Christ
- Jesus Christ's miracles include levitating. More specifically, walking on water, miraculously defying the laws of gravity.
© Getty Images
8 / 31 Fotos
Jesus Christ
- This miracle is mentioned in Matthew 14:22-33, Mark 6:45-52, and John 6:16-21. Jesus walked on the water towards the boat where his apostles were.
© Getty Images
9 / 31 Fotos
Gautama Buddha
- The spiritual teacher of ancient India who founded Buddhism not only reached enlightenment, but he was also reportedly able to levitate.
© Shutterstock
10 / 31 Fotos
Gautama Buddha
- There are a few tales of the Buddha levitating across bodies of water. On one occasion he did so across the Rohini River, and on another occasion he is said to have done so across the Ganges.
© Shutterstock
11 / 31 Fotos
Saint Francis of Assisi
- The Italian Catholic friar who founded the Franciscan Order is famous for his levitation powers.
© Getty Images
12 / 31 Fotos
Saint Francis of Assisi
- Saint Francis reportedly rose to heights of 1.3 to 1.8 m (4.3 ft to 5.11 ft).
© Getty Images
13 / 31 Fotos
Daniel Dunglas Home
- This Victorian-era Scottish physical medium was known for levitating. Many believed it to be a hoax, but Home has never been exposed as a fraudster.
© Getty Images
14 / 31 Fotos
Daniel Dunglas Home
- Famous illusionist Harry Houdini said he was "one of the most conspicuous and lauded of his type and generation" and "the forerunner of the mediums whose forte is fleecing by presuming on the credulity of the public."
© Public Domain
15 / 31 Fotos
Saint Gemma Galgani
- Gemma Galgani was an Italian mystic who was said to have experienced stigmata, as well as being able to levitate. She died in 1903 and was canonized in 1940.
© Public Domain
16 / 31 Fotos
Paul of the Cross
- Saint Paul of the Cross was an Italian Catholic mystic, and founder of the Passionists. There are numerous accounts of him levitating in front of congregations and other priests.
© Public Domain
17 / 31 Fotos
Sai Baba of Shirdi
- The Indian yogi and spiritual leader has devotees in both Hindu and Islamic traditions.
© Public Domain
18 / 31 Fotos
Sai Baba of Shirdi
- There are many miracles attributed to Sai Baba of Shirdi, also known as Shirdi Sai Baba, including the capacity to levitate while asleep.
© Getty Images
19 / 31 Fotos
Mariam Baouardy
- Mariam Baouardy was a Discalced Carmelite nun who lived from 1846 to 1878. There are reports of her levitating during prayer at a monastery in Pau, France.
© Public Domain
20 / 31 Fotos
Mani
- The Iranian prophet Mani is the founder of Manichaeism. It is said that he was able to levitate.
© Public Domain
21 / 31 Fotos
Seraphim of Sarov
- There are a few accounts of this Russian Orthodox saint being seen levitating. Alexander I of Russia reportedly witnessed it himself.
© Public Domain
22 / 31 Fotos
Girolamo Savonarola
- Girolamo Savonarola was a 15th-century Italian Dominican friar. He is said to have been spotted levitating in his cell, when he was arrested and sentenced to death.
© Getty Images
23 / 31 Fotos
Alphonsus Liguori
- Alphonsus Liguori, also known as Alfonso Maria de Liguori, was an Italian bishop. He is said to have lifted from the ground in front of the whole congregation while preaching at Foggia.
© Getty Images
24 / 31 Fotos
Saint Martín de Porres
- This Peruvian lay brother of the Dominican Order was believed to have a number of special powers, including levitation. Saint Martín de Porres died in 1639 and was canonized in 1962.
© Public Domain
25 / 31 Fotos
Teresa of Ávila
- The Spanish Carmelite nun was said to levitate for extended periods of time during what she called a "spiritual visitation."
© Getty Images
26 / 31 Fotos
Saint Mary of Egypt
- According to Saint Mary of Egypt's hagiography, she once walked across the Jordan River.
© Public Domain
27 / 31 Fotos
Saint Gerard Majella
- This Italian saint from the 18th century was also believed to have the capacity to defy the laws of gravity.
© Public Domain
28 / 31 Fotos
Milarepa
- The famous Buddhist guru is said to have had numerous powers, including levitation.
© Getty Images
29 / 31 Fotos
Colin Evans
- The Welsh spiritualist medium claimed to levitate, and indeed apparently did so during his séances. Except the trick was exposed as fraudulent. Sources: (Miracles of the Saints) (Early Christian Writings) (Listverse)
© Public Domain
30 / 31 Fotos
© Public Domain/Getty Images
0 / 31 Fotos
Saint Joseph of Cupertino
- The capacity of levitation by Franciscan Friar Joseph of Cupertino is one of the most famous in history.
© Getty Images
1 / 31 Fotos
Saint Joseph of Cupertino
- In 1630, he is said to have started hovering over the crowd during a procession.
© Getty Images
2 / 31 Fotos
Saint Joseph of Cupertino
- Reportedly, Saint Joseph of Cupertino could levitate for quite some time. He is the patron saint of aviation and astronauts.
© Getty Images
3 / 31 Fotos
Simon Magus
- This biblical priest was also known as a sorcerer and magician. He claimed to be a god and levitated to prove exactly that.
© Getty Images
4 / 31 Fotos
Simon Magus
- The Acts of Peter, from the 2nd century, say that "when Simon entered into Rome, he amazed the multitudes by flying." Peter then asked God to make him fall, and Simon Magnus did, breaking his leg.
© Getty Images
5 / 31 Fotos
Padre Pio
- Canonized by Pope John Paul II in 2002, the capuchin monk turned saint is best known for receiving the stigmata around 1911. Padre Pio, however, was also said to be able to levitate.
© Getty Images
6 / 31 Fotos
Padre Pio
- When Padre Pio was asked how it was like to walk on air, he jokingly replied: "I can assure you, my child, it’s just like walking on the floor."
© Getty Images
7 / 31 Fotos
Jesus Christ
- Jesus Christ's miracles include levitating. More specifically, walking on water, miraculously defying the laws of gravity.
© Getty Images
8 / 31 Fotos
Jesus Christ
- This miracle is mentioned in Matthew 14:22-33, Mark 6:45-52, and John 6:16-21. Jesus walked on the water towards the boat where his apostles were.
© Getty Images
9 / 31 Fotos
Gautama Buddha
- The spiritual teacher of ancient India who founded Buddhism not only reached enlightenment, but he was also reportedly able to levitate.
© Shutterstock
10 / 31 Fotos
Gautama Buddha
- There are a few tales of the Buddha levitating across bodies of water. On one occasion he did so across the Rohini River, and on another occasion he is said to have done so across the Ganges.
© Shutterstock
11 / 31 Fotos
Saint Francis of Assisi
- The Italian Catholic friar who founded the Franciscan Order is famous for his levitation powers.
© Getty Images
12 / 31 Fotos
Saint Francis of Assisi
- Saint Francis reportedly rose to heights of 1.3 to 1.8 m (4.3 ft to 5.11 ft).
© Getty Images
13 / 31 Fotos
Daniel Dunglas Home
- This Victorian-era Scottish physical medium was known for levitating. Many believed it to be a hoax, but Home has never been exposed as a fraudster.
© Getty Images
14 / 31 Fotos
Daniel Dunglas Home
- Famous illusionist Harry Houdini said he was "one of the most conspicuous and lauded of his type and generation" and "the forerunner of the mediums whose forte is fleecing by presuming on the credulity of the public."
© Public Domain
15 / 31 Fotos
Saint Gemma Galgani
- Gemma Galgani was an Italian mystic who was said to have experienced stigmata, as well as being able to levitate. She died in 1903 and was canonized in 1940.
© Public Domain
16 / 31 Fotos
Paul of the Cross
- Saint Paul of the Cross was an Italian Catholic mystic, and founder of the Passionists. There are numerous accounts of him levitating in front of congregations and other priests.
© Public Domain
17 / 31 Fotos
Sai Baba of Shirdi
- The Indian yogi and spiritual leader has devotees in both Hindu and Islamic traditions.
© Public Domain
18 / 31 Fotos
Sai Baba of Shirdi
- There are many miracles attributed to Sai Baba of Shirdi, also known as Shirdi Sai Baba, including the capacity to levitate while asleep.
© Getty Images
19 / 31 Fotos
Mariam Baouardy
- Mariam Baouardy was a Discalced Carmelite nun who lived from 1846 to 1878. There are reports of her levitating during prayer at a monastery in Pau, France.
© Public Domain
20 / 31 Fotos
Mani
- The Iranian prophet Mani is the founder of Manichaeism. It is said that he was able to levitate.
© Public Domain
21 / 31 Fotos
Seraphim of Sarov
- There are a few accounts of this Russian Orthodox saint being seen levitating. Alexander I of Russia reportedly witnessed it himself.
© Public Domain
22 / 31 Fotos
Girolamo Savonarola
- Girolamo Savonarola was a 15th-century Italian Dominican friar. He is said to have been spotted levitating in his cell, when he was arrested and sentenced to death.
© Getty Images
23 / 31 Fotos
Alphonsus Liguori
- Alphonsus Liguori, also known as Alfonso Maria de Liguori, was an Italian bishop. He is said to have lifted from the ground in front of the whole congregation while preaching at Foggia.
© Getty Images
24 / 31 Fotos
Saint Martín de Porres
- This Peruvian lay brother of the Dominican Order was believed to have a number of special powers, including levitation. Saint Martín de Porres died in 1639 and was canonized in 1962.
© Public Domain
25 / 31 Fotos
Teresa of Ávila
- The Spanish Carmelite nun was said to levitate for extended periods of time during what she called a "spiritual visitation."
© Getty Images
26 / 31 Fotos
Saint Mary of Egypt
- According to Saint Mary of Egypt's hagiography, she once walked across the Jordan River.
© Public Domain
27 / 31 Fotos
Saint Gerard Majella
- This Italian saint from the 18th century was also believed to have the capacity to defy the laws of gravity.
© Public Domain
28 / 31 Fotos
Milarepa
- The famous Buddhist guru is said to have had numerous powers, including levitation.
© Getty Images
29 / 31 Fotos
Colin Evans
- The Welsh spiritualist medium claimed to levitate, and indeed apparently did so during his séances. Except the trick was exposed as fraudulent. Sources: (Miracles of the Saints) (Early Christian Writings) (Listverse)
© Public Domain
30 / 31 Fotos
People who were thought to be able to levitate
From saints to spiritualists
© Public Domain/Getty Images
Raising from the ground and hovering in the air is not a natural human ability. Yet although levitating is not part of the human experience, some people are thought to have done so, some of whom had witnesses attest to it. Religion, and Roman Catholicism in particular, is full of saints, mystics, and gurus who are said to have had the capacity to levitate. But there are other individuals who were said to be able to do it as well.
In this gallery, we look back at the people who were believed to be able to levitate. Click on!
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