Angels...Wings, Halos?

[Louis Charles, (LC) Publisher]

Early Christian depictions of angels were rare, and if depicted, took on human form up until the fourth century. Read more about this at Angels In Early Christian Art.

[SERAPHIM]

Hi LC! I found something more on the topic:

http://www.feedback.nildram.co.uk/richardebbs/essays/angels.htm <---------- (Art included in link).

Sumeria 3,000 BC: Sumerian society is the oldest society that has left us clear evidence of the use of a winged human motif.

Egypt: Egyptian gods can be traced back to the first few dynasties, that is, to around 2,500 BC ~ Isis and Maat were often represented with wings.

2000 BC: Mithras the sacred bull, with his cloak billowing out behind him in a way that seems meant to suggest wings.

Zoroastrianism: Around 650 BC ~ Zoroastrianism identifies six main archangels: the Archangel of Good Thought, the Archangel of Right, the Archangel of Dominion, the Archangel of Piety, the Archangel of Prosperity and the Archangel of Immorality, along with at least 40 lesser angels called Adorable Ones.

Judaism: around 1300 BC ~ Seraphim were believed to have six wings.lol!

The Greeks: Angels were frequently depicted with circles of golden light surrounding their heads. Interestingly enough the halo.

Christianity: In 1259 AD ~ Christian thinkers have developed their own ideas about angels. A number of angels are referred to in the first books of the Old Testament (ie the books of the Judaic Torah).

Islam: Middle East after 450 BC~ or it is borrowed from Zoroastrianism ~ Muhammed was alive around 630 A ~ Lesser benign angels, malevolent demons and 'genies' (or 'djinn') are also frequently referred to in the Koran. For instance one of the five cardinal beliefs of Muslims is the idea of the Day of Judgment, where individuals are questioned about their faith by the two angels Munkar and Nakir after death.

The Shamanic Connection. Shamanic belief and practice have survived across Asia, from Tibet in the east, to Lapland in the west, to Siberia in the north.

8870 BC (plus or minus 300 years, according to carbon-dating) which is perhaps 4,000 years before the beginnings of the Sumerian culture: A number of goat skulls placed next to the wing bones of large predatory birds, including the bearded vulture, the griffon vulture, the white-tailed sea eagle and the great bustard.

How we've kept to traditions after all theses years.

Peace, Love & Light!

[SERAPHIM]

I remember once that Darryl had said, “Angels don’t have wings”. Yet they are able to fly/transport. Any holy person or angelic figure painted/drawn would illuminate with a white glow. A type of symbolism to portray their inner light & beauty.
In the old & new writings of the holy scriptures (any denomination) – the visionaries would see Angels with one or more wings (Seraphim for example). Lol!

Thanks LC for the information.

[Tkay - Moderator]

It is funny how one person, Emperor Constantine, changed the way we think of what angels should look like. So would that mean, that people who say they see angels, really seeing them or is it their imagination? Could it be that people are passing by them because they do not think they are angels because they have no wings, and pretty much look like you or me. That really is a lot to think about. How many people who may have came into our lives for a moment that could have been an angel, and just because we see no "wings" it never comes into our minds who they could be. Thanks for getting my mind working again!!! Good article!