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| Angel wings in Art |
Wings on angels did not appear in
early Christian
art, and this would seem to substantiate the idea
that early Christians did not view angels as spirit
beings with wings. In fact, angel wings were not
used to depict divine messengers' higher estate
(the heavens, perhaps?) until after the fourth
century. The same is true of halos, one should
know.
were first rendered in human form, typically as men dressed
in robes. Perhaps in the first few centuries of
Christianity, wings were considered to be things
used in the depictions of pagan gods and spirits.
Ancient Mesopotamian, as well as Egyptian gods were known to be illustrated as winged prior to
Christianity's eventual portrayal of angel wings. The ancient Greeks used wings to represent their
gods, such as Hermes and Perseus. Cupid of Roman mythology was also a winged deity that
per-dated Christian interpretation of angels with wings. So it is of no surprise that eventually
winged, angelic beings began appearing in paintings and sculptures, as there was plenty of prior
winged-art from which future Christian and other religious artists could draw inspiration from. And
so, angels with wings began appearing in European artwork beginning with the Middle Ages,
eventually becoming very prominent during the Renaissance period. There is little doubt that the
influence of artists who portrayed angels with wings, as well as accounts of visions within ancient
literature both helped to form the societal beliefs concerning angels and wings.
early Christian
art, and this would seem to substantiate the idea
that early Christians did not view angels as spirit
beings with wings. In fact, angel wings were not
used to depict divine messengers' higher estate
(the heavens, perhaps?) until after the fourth
century. The same is true of halos, one should
know.
were first rendered in human form, typically as men dressed
in robes. Perhaps in the first few centuries of
Christianity, wings were considered to be things
used in the depictions of pagan gods and spirits.
Ancient Mesopotamian, as well as Egyptian gods were known to be illustrated as winged prior to
Christianity's eventual portrayal of angel wings. The ancient Greeks used wings to represent their
gods, such as Hermes and Perseus. Cupid of Roman mythology was also a winged deity that
per-dated Christian interpretation of angels with wings. So it is of no surprise that eventually
winged, angelic beings began appearing in paintings and sculptures, as there was plenty of prior
winged-art from which future Christian and other religious artists could draw inspiration from. And
so, angels with wings began appearing in European artwork beginning with the Middle Ages,
eventually becoming very prominent during the Renaissance period. There is little doubt that the
influence of artists who portrayed angels with wings, as well as accounts of visions within ancient
literature both helped to form the societal beliefs concerning angels and wings.
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