.jpg "Angel Wings")
Angel Wings
.jpg "Angel Wings")
Angel wings, or the idea of angels having wings is
believed by many throughout society, today.
However, the story behind angels and wings is complicated and confusing, finding its origins
Within ancient literature and art. Also see:
Most ideas concerning angels with wings may be found within the Hebrew and Christian Bibles.
One can find angels having wings within the prophetic books of Isaiah, Ezekiel, and Revelation.
These angels are known as cherubim and seraphim, and are described from within visions. They
are not the same as the spirit messengers that visit mankind. Though their appearance is
described as having wings, they also look different from typical depictions of dual angel wings. For
example, cherubim have four wings, while seraphim are said to have six. They are not described
as being human in form, though they may share some attributes similar to mankind. We read that
cherubim have four faces, one like an ox, one like an eagle, one like a lion, and one like a man.
Some Jewish rabbis are quick to point out that what may be described as angels being described
within these prophetic visions, are likely philosophical representations of the laws of nature, or
principles in which the universe operates. In other words, these angels are not the same divine
spirit messengers that Biblical patriarchs witnessed, but are actually parables that need to be
spiritually interpreted. Angels, wings, halos, thrones, heaven, etc are all symbols of spirituality.
Though misunderstood, perhaps these passages found within ancient manuscripts helped to
influence cultural, and eventually artisan interpretation of angels.
Yet, there are better descriptions found within both the New and Old Testaments, and these angels
do not have wings. The word angel means messenger, a spirit or physical being that brings word
to another. For example in the Old testament, both Abraham and Lot were visited by spirit
messengers that were not distinguishable from human beings (Genesis 18-19). The people of
Sodom who also saw them described them as being "men." This idea is found within many other
texts, and is especially fortified in the New Testament book of Hebrews, chapter thirteen:
believed by many throughout society, today.
However, the story behind angels and wings is complicated and confusing, finding its origins
Within ancient literature and art. Also see:
Most ideas concerning angels with wings may be found within the Hebrew and Christian Bibles.
One can find angels having wings within the prophetic books of Isaiah, Ezekiel, and Revelation.
These angels are known as cherubim and seraphim, and are described from within visions. They
are not the same as the spirit messengers that visit mankind. Though their appearance is
described as having wings, they also look different from typical depictions of dual angel wings. For
example, cherubim have four wings, while seraphim are said to have six. They are not described
as being human in form, though they may share some attributes similar to mankind. We read that
cherubim have four faces, one like an ox, one like an eagle, one like a lion, and one like a man.
Some Jewish rabbis are quick to point out that what may be described as angels being described
within these prophetic visions, are likely philosophical representations of the laws of nature, or
principles in which the universe operates. In other words, these angels are not the same divine
spirit messengers that Biblical patriarchs witnessed, but are actually parables that need to be
spiritually interpreted. Angels, wings, halos, thrones, heaven, etc are all symbols of spirituality.
Though misunderstood, perhaps these passages found within ancient manuscripts helped to
influence cultural, and eventually artisan interpretation of angels.
Yet, there are better descriptions found within both the New and Old Testaments, and these angels
do not have wings. The word angel means messenger, a spirit or physical being that brings word
to another. For example in the Old testament, both Abraham and Lot were visited by spirit
messengers that were not distinguishable from human beings (Genesis 18-19). The people of
Sodom who also saw them described them as being "men." This idea is found within many other
texts, and is especially fortified in the New Testament book of Hebrews, chapter thirteen:
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