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In art -

Since the earliest days of Christian art, angels have appeared as onlookers and guardians of the world. Byzantine and European paintings and sculptures often depicted angels in various forms.

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Renaissance -

The most common depiction of angels comes from Renaissance paintings, where angels were often portrayed as kindly humanoids sporting wings.

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What are they? -

Angels in the Bible are basically physical manifestations of spiritual beings. While the Bible contains a few descriptions of them, they are rather vague, which means that the true appearance of angels can be interpreted in different ways.

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Garden of Eden -

The first angel to appear in the Bible comes from the Book of Genesis. After Adam and Eve were expelled from the Garden of Eden, an angel wielding a flaming sword stood guard at the entrance. This isn’t the gentle, comforting figure seen in paintings of old, but rather a fierce guardian.

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Ezekiel's vision -

In the Book of Ezekiel, the Hebrew prophet Ezekiel had a vision wherein God appeared to him, surrounded by otherworldly angels. This vision is the basis of what can be considered as biblically accurate depictions of angels.

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Variations -

According to Scripture, there are nine variations of angels, all ranked in a hierarchy that is divided into three spheres: the highest orders, the middle orders, and the lowest orders. The angels witnessed by Ezekiel are grouped in the highest tiers of the heavenly host.

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1. Seraphim -

The Seraphim, or seraphs, are the highest order in the first sphere and are closest to God. They are described as having six wings, each pair with a different function. Two wings cover their faces, two cover their feet, and two are used for flying.

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2. Cherubim -

Cherubim, also known as cherubs, are powerful angelic beings said to have four faces: those of a human, lion, ox, and eagle. They also possess four wings and flaming swords as they watch over the Garden of Eden and the Tree of Life.

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3. Ophanim -

The Ophanim, also called the thrones, are perhaps the most bizarre of all the angels. They are wheel-like creatures with eyes covering the rims, and are considered to be carriers of divine justice and authority.

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4. Dominions -

In the middle order of angels, Dominions oversee lower-ranking angels and ensure that the divine order is fulfilled. They act as intermediaries between the higher powers and the earthly realm, channeling commands from God to angels tasked with interacting with humanity.

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5. Virtues -

Also in the second triad, Virtues are believed to channel God's grace into the physical world, granting spiritual fortitude and encouragement to individuals. Their focus is often to inspire virtue and courage in believers.

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6. Powers -

Powers are the third order in the second sphere and are tasked with defending the cosmos from evil forces, especially spiritual warfare. They maintain cosmic order and protect the world from the influence of demonic entities, acting as soldiers of God against the forces of darkness.

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7. Principalities -

Principalities, in the third sphere, serve as the protectors of nations, cities, and rulers on Earth. They watch over specific regions and peoples, guiding the earthly leaders in accordance with divine will. They ensure the protection of communities and are often invoked for guidance in governance.

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8. Archangels -

Archangels are one of the most recognized of the angelic orders and are messengers of major divine announcements. Archangels like Michael, Gabriel, and Raphael have specific roles in Scripture (Michael as a warrior, Gabriel as a messenger, and Raphael as a healer), each performing pivotal tasks in God’s plan for humanity.

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9. Angels -

The lowest in the hierarchy, Angels are the most closely associated with humans, acting as personal guardians. Though they are the lowest in rank, their direct interaction with humans makes them highly significant in daily Christian belief and practice.

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More human -

The lower an angel’s rank in the order of the heavenly host, the more human they appear. This is most probably because lower-ranking angels spend more time on Earth than those who serve close to the throne of God.

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Invisible -

Though some angels are visible to humans, many remain hidden from the human eye as they go about their business. Indeed, a prophet by the name of Balaam was known to have been unable to see an angel that passed nearby, but his donkey was able to.

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Terrifying -

The one commonality among all the angels is that they exude sheer power, which can be both terrifying and awe-inspiring. Many Bible verses feature angels saying “do not be afraid” or “fear not” as they appear to humans.

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No wings - Interestingly, the Bible doesn’t actually describe humanoid angels as having wings, despite their portrayal in famous medieval art. The only angels that seem to have wings are the Cherubim and Seraphim.

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Swords -

Several biblical angels (like the one guarding the Garden of Eden) are depicted with flaming swords. These angels are protectors and enforcers of divine will, their sword symbolizing the execution of God’s justice and the defense of holy sanctuaries.

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Fire and light -

In the Book of Hebrews, angels are described as "ministering spirits" and "flames of fire," which suggests that some angels are beings of pure energy or fire rather than any physical manifestation.

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The Angel of Death -

The Angel of Death, as depicted in Exodus during the Passover, is a fearsome being of divine judgment. Though not physically described, its presence is terrifying and destructive, enacting God’s will to bring death to the firstborn in Egypt.

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Color -

Interestingly, angels don’t have a set color or color palette in the Bible. Many believe, though, that the seven archangels each represent a different color in the spectrum. Remiel is red, Gabriel is orange, Raguel is yellow, Uriel is green, Michael is blue, Sariel is indigo, and the archangel Raphael is purple.

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Angel of Revelation -

Even in the Book of Revelation, angels do not appear as humanoid. The Scripture describes a mighty angel as being wrapped in a cloud, with a rainbow above his head. His face shines like the sun, and his legs are like pillars of fire. So why, then, do angels appear like humanoids with wings or baby-faced children holding harps?

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Italian Renaissance -

The popular view that people have of angels dates back to the Italian Renaissance, where angels first started being depicted with a childlike appearance and curly, blond hair.

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Eros -

The winged Greek god Eros (who ruled over love, passion, and physical desire) became strongly associated with the idea of angels at the time.

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Cupid -

The small-winged Cupid from Roman mythology was taken from the image of Eros to create a different version of the “angel of love,” one that included light hair and eyes, as well as a chubby body.

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Mixture -

The mixture of Greek and Roman images with Christian concepts became the foundation of Renaissance art, since much of it was produced mainly for the Catholic Church. An example is Raphael’s ‘Sistine Madonna,’ painted in 1512, which shows two bored little angels watching the scene like spectators.

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Trumpets -

Despite how contemporary sources may depict angels, the Book of Revelation does indicate that angels will blow trumpets to herald apocalyptic events and the end of times. Perhaps their divine warnings are a symbol of God’s voice.

Sources: (All That’s Interesting) (Christianity.com) (Bible Study Tools) (Medium)

See also: Major questions the Bible leaves unanswered

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