Gottesmutter

Gottesmutter (literal: Mother of God) is a Marian title used in German-language Christian contexts, primarily within Catholic and Orthodox traditions, to refer to Mary as the mother of Jesus, who is believed to be God incarnate. The term corresponds to the Greek Theotokos and underscores the belief in Jesus as both divine and human, with Mary as his mother.

Historically, the veneration of Mary as Gottesmutter evolved in early Christian and medieval devotion and remains central in Catholic and Orthodox Mariology. The title signals Mary's integral role in salvation history and is frequently invoked in prayers, hymns, and Marian iconography. In German-speaking areas the expression appears in church dedications, Marian feast texts, and devotional literature, and is a common motif in art and sculpture.

Usage varies across denominations: in Catholic and Orthodox contexts Gottesmutter is a standard title; in many Protestant traditions the emphasis on Mary as Theotokos or as Mother of God is less central, and some use alternative formulations.

The concept is closely related to other Marian titles such as Theotokos, Madonna, and Our Lady and is part of broader Mariology. In practice, Gottesmutter imagery typically depicts Mary with the infant Jesus and is prominent in German-speaking churches and museums.