Vessel

Sam Winchester as Lucifer's Vessel in 5.04 The End

Adam Milligan as Michael's Vessel in 5.22 Swan Song

A Vessel is a human that an angel possesses in order to manifest on Earth. The term Vessel was first used by Castiel in episode 4.01 Lazarus Rising.

Castiel: That was my mistake. Certain people, special people, can perceive my true visage. I thought you would be one of them. I was wrong. Dean: And what visage are you in now, huh? What, holy tax accountant? Castiel: This? This is... a vessel. – Castiel and Dean, 4.01 Lazarus Rising

The suitability to be a Vessel is innate. Castiel makes reference when possessing Claire Novak that her suitability as a vessel is "in her blood".

Michael, when he is using the young John Winchester as his vessel, tells Dean: “You’re my true Vessel, but not my only one. It’s a bloodline…stretching back to Cain and Abel. It’s in your blood, your father’s blood, your family's blood.” ^{5.13 The Song Remains The Same}

While Demons can possess any human against their will in order to manifest, Angels must contain the consent of the human before they can enter them. However, as Zachariah's treatment of Dean in attempt to get him to agree to be Michael's vessel demonstrates, this consent can be coerced.

It is unknown as to whether or not Gabriel needs a Vessel - Gabriel could have created his body. Gabriel seems to have an angelic form that's not as intense as Micheal and Lucifer's, being as how he is the youngest of the Archangels, this may be the reason he didn't seem to have difficulty in acquiring his vessel.

Zachariah's Vessel was never mentioned in Supernatural. He refers to humans as "smelly things". When Dean and Sam see Zachariah in Heaven they still see Zachariah as if he were still using his Vessel. According to Zachariah the reason they perceive him the same way in Heaven is because they're limited.

Dean: Oh, great. That's all I need is another one of you guys. Zachariah: I'm hardly another one, Dean. I'm Castiel's superior. Believe me, I had no interest in popping down here into one of these smelly things. *Zachariah indicates his body.* – Zachariah and Dean, 4.17 It's A Terrible Life

Anna never used a human as a Vessel. This is mainly because when an angel chooses to fall and become human, the human body they use is the most suitable "vessel" for their angelic essence. If Anna chose not to have fallen, then her "human body" would have been her Vessel. She was then raised by Mister and Misses Milton. Anna Milton was afraid of her real father - her real father is God.

Anyone within the Novak Bloodline can be used as a Vessel for normal Angels, not including Archangels.

True Vessels

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Jimmy Novak as Castiel's Vessel in 4.01 Lazarus Rising

Many Angels such as Zachariah and Castiel have told Dean that he is special and that he was chosen to be the vessel for Michael.

Gabriel reveled to Dean and Sam that they were destined to be Vessels.

Archangel Vessels:

• Dean Winchester was predestined from the beginning to be Michael's Vessel. Zachariah tells Dean that he is Michael's Sword.
• Sam Winchester was predestined from the beginning to be Lucifer's Vessel. In 2014, Sam said said yes to Lucifer. According to Castiel, only a 'special' person (prepared vessel) can truly contain Lucifer's essence. In order to do this, the vessel needs an extensive amount of Demon Blood running through their veins. Sam Winchester was set up by Azazel, who prepared him for Lucifer. Castiel states that the Demon blood strengthens the Vessel. Castiel tells the Winchesters that Nick is drinking more than he can handle by containing Lucifer. All this was reveled in 5.21 Two Minutes To Midnight.

• Donnie Finnerman - is the Vessel for Raphael. Donnie was a civilian of Maine and a Mechanic prior to his consent to Raphael.

Angel Vessels:

• Jimmy Novak is the vessel for Castiel. While he initially consented, when Castiel was taken back to Heaven, he is keen to resume his life with his family. He said that being possessed was like being "tied to a Comet". He can hear Castiel's "true voice", which Dean cannot.

• Claire Novak is Jimmy's daughter and is briefly a Vessel for Castiel. After Jimmy was shot by a demon possessing his wife, Castiel possesses his daughter Claire Novak. Jimmy (near death) begs to be allowed to be his vessel again. It is not stated what happens to Jimmy Novak.

Plan B Vessels

Nick as Lucifer's Plan B Vessel in 5.03 Free To Be You And Me

Plan B vessels are vessels that angels use for short periods of time. The background info on this particular type of vessel is as of now unknown.

Plan B Vessels:

• Nick lived in Pike Creek, Delaware. Nick's wife and child were killed by a robber who broke into their house. He later consents to be Lucifer's Vessel when Lucifer promises to help him get justice for his family. Lucifer later tells Sam that Nick is not the ideal vessel and can barely contain him. Nick was dispossessed in 5.22 Swan Song.

• John Winchester acts a Plan B Vessel for Michael in The Song Remains The Same. Michael revels to Dean that it runs in the Winchester blood-line, enabling him to use John as a "Plan B" Vessel.

• Adam Milligan acts as an alternate true Vessel for Michael. In 5.18 Point of No Return, Zachariah tells Adam he will be a vessel for Michael in place of Dean, although his plan is to use Adam as bait in order to trap Dean into saying "yes" to Michael. Castiel says that Adam being used as Michael's vessel is a possibility, since he is of John Winchester's bloodline. In 5.21 Two Minutes To Midnight, Castiel told Dean, Sam and Bobby that Michael is currently using Adam as his Vessel. In Swan Song, Michael does use Adam as a Vessel for his final confrontation with Lucifer.

Other uses of humans by Angels

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Chuck Shurley the Prophet in 5.09 The Real Ghostbusters

Lucifer used a dead nun as a mouth piece to communicate with Azazel at St. Mary's Convent.

Prophets are also a method through which Heaven communicates with humanity, but they are not physically possessed by angels. Chuck Shurley is a prophet.