Angel
In the Old Testament, angels were the messengers of God's revelation. It was only later that Judaism, under Persian influence, introduced the concept of the heavenly hosts and God's heavenly household. The birth of Islam is said to have taken place when Allah ordered the Archangel Gabriel to bring his message, the Koran, to the prophet Mohammed (570-632 AD). The earliest portrayal of an angel is in the Priscilla catacombs in Rome, dating from the first half of the 2nd century. Angels were pictured with wings until the 4th century. In the 9th and 10th centuries, angels again did not have wings, but were represented by tall, dignified, boys or men in brilliant white robes-an expression of purity. The attributes assigned to angels also changed constantly. The lily at the Annunciation of Mary became the symbol of virginity; palm branches, a symbol of victory; musical instruments and incense burning, to praise God; trumpets, to announce the Last Judgment; various implements of suffering were a symbol of Christ's suffering, etc. In the celestial hierarchy we find nine angel choirs (3 times the sacred number three): throne, cherubim, seraphim; rulers, principalities, power; archangel, angel, virtue. The cherubim represent a special embodiment of the Almighty - the protectors of the lost paradise and the guardians of the Ark of the Covenant. The seraphim are primarily in charge of the duties of worship. The aristocrats among the angels are the archangels, who have names and specific functions. The highest among them is Michael, the warrior who defeated Satan. Many artworks are testament to this revered archangel. Raphael is primarily the protector and guide of the suffering. The archangel of peace is Gabriel. Uriel, the fourth archangel, appeared at the tomb of Christ. Depictions of celestial hierarchies are found most of all in Byzantine art and subsequently in Italy. Philosophers described the relationship between people and angels. For example, Thomas Aquinas (1225-1274) said: "Man has not been promised less than being the equal of angels .... Man will become most like an angel to the extent to which he is able to learn about them .... The human spirit, liberated from earthly conditions, sees in the angel himself in an ideal state." The countless opinions, writings, and works of art concerning these heavenly beings show us how prominent a place they occupy in the earthly life of people and how many great thinkers and artists throughout the ages have been captivated by them. In the end, angels are our connection to the sacred powers of the heavens, reminding us of what is within us and what we should strive for: virtue, spirituality, humility, composure, and the power of silence. It will be good to placing Ceramic angel figures in the Helpful People Corner.
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