| Angels | |
|---|---|
 | |
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Notable Members |
Michael, Raphael, Gabriel, Uriel, Metatron, Azazel, Lucifer |
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First Appearance |
Abrahamic Theology |
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Created by |
Abrahamic Theology |
Origin[]
An angel is a spiritual (without a physical body) or heavenly supernatural being. In Western belief-systems the term is often used to distinguish benevolent and malevolent intermediary beings.
It is often depicted as a messenger or intermediary between God (the transcendent) and humanity (the profane) in various traditions like the Abrahamic religions. Other roles include protectors and guides for humans, such as guardian angels and servants of God. Emphasizing the distance between God and mankind, revelation-based belief-systems require angels to bridge the gap between the earthly and the transcendent realm. Angels play a lesser role in monistic belief-systems, since the gap is non-existent. However, angelic beings might be conceived as aid to achieve a proper relationship with the divine.
Abrahamic religions describe angelic hierarchies, which vary by religion and sect. Some angels have specific names (such as Gabriel or Michael) or titles (such as seraph or archangel). Malevolent angels are often believed to have been expelled from Heaven and called fallen angels. In many such religions, the Devil (or devils) are identified with such angels. Lucifer is regarded as the most powerful of them, with others including the Kings of Hell (such as Asmodeus and Mammon) and the numerous spirits identified in the study of Demonology.
Angels in art are often identified with bird wings, halos, and divine light. They are usually shaped like humans of extraordinary beauty, though this is not always the case—sometimes, they can be portrayed in a frightening, inhuman manner. In a vision described in the Book of Ezekiel, various types of angels are much more alien in appearance, possessing such features as multiple heads resembling different animals, multiple sets of fiery wings, mechanical-looking components resembling wheels, and bodies covered in a multitude of eyes. They are also capable of assuming more humanlike forms to appear less intimidating to observers, as accounted in the story of Sodom and Gamorrah in Genesis.
The most influential Catholic angelic hierarchy was that put forward by Pseudo-Dionysius the Areopagite in the 5th or 6th century in his book De Coelesti Hierarchia (On the Celestial Hierarchy). Dionysius described nine levels of spiritual beings which he grouped into three orders:
- Highest orders
- Middle orders
- Lowest orders
Public Domain Appearances[]
All published appearances of Angels from before January 1, 1930 are public domain in the US.
Some notable appearances are listed below:
Public Domain Literary Appearances[]
- The Torah
- The Bible
- The Quaran
- De Coelesti Hierarchia
- Paradise Lost
- The Divine Comedy
- The Pilgrim's Progress
Public Domain Film Appearances[]
- The Christmas Angel (1904)
- Angel on My Shoulder (1946)
- It's a Wonderful Life (1946)
Public Domain Comic Appearances[]
- Dell Junior Treasury #7 - Santa and the Angel
- Santa Claus Funnies #2: Hark! The Herald Angels Sing (2 pages) Has piano music and illustrations for the song.
- Captain Midnight #12: Captain Midnight is drawn into an eerie situation in the jungle along the Peru-Brazil border, when a native superstition of avenging mountain angels suddenly becomes reality!
- Four Color #61, 91, 128, 172, 205, 254, 259, 302, 361:
- In issue 128, A group of angel babies are busy polishing the stars in preparation for Christmas. The littlest one becomes tired and falls asleep on a cloud that slowly drifts to Earth and lands in the middle of a snow-covered forest. The angel baby, who is naked, is cold and frightened and starts to cry. This attracts the animals of the forest who huddle around him to keep him warm. The animals decide to take him to the cabin of a woodchopper and his wife, who live at the edge of the forest. It is Christmas Eve and just as the animals reach the house, Santa and his reindeer arrive.
- In issue 205, A little angel is frightened by its distorted reflection in a Christmas tree ornament. A poem about angels is also included.
- The First Christmas (3D): A 3D comic adaptation of the story of the first Christmas which features Gabriel and the angels who appeared to the shepherds.
- Tales of the Mysterious Traveler #8: In the story The Day of the Angels!, A town praying for rain is sent an angel...or two.
- Black Magic #15: Featured the story The Angel of Death!
- Pep Comics #61-64: Gloomy Gus the Homeless Ghost had a sidekick named Gabby who was an angel.
- Tales from the Great Book #2: God sends an angel to deliver a message to Joshua on how to take down the walls of Jericho.
- New Adventure Comics #15: The feature Famous Poems Pictured adapted Abou Ben Adhem, by Leigh Hunt which featured an angel.
- Star Comics #2: In the feature Jingle Jangle, a man named Willie is depicted as an angel riding a cloud to heaven after accidentally shooting himself with a gun.
Notes[]
- A list of angel characters on this wiki can be found here.
- During the Renaissance, the image of angels underwent a significant transformation, influenced by the revival of Greco-Roman art and culture. Renaissance artists drew inspiration from classical figures such as Eros/Cupid (god of love), Eos/Aurora (goddess of the dawn), and Nike (goddess of victory), all of whom were often depicted as winged beings with a human appearance.