The
Prince’s Sarcophagus
Angels are often depicted as compassionate
celestial beings who act as intermediaries between that place many folks perceive
as Heaven and the place we all call Earth; some folks simply describe them as
guardian spirits or a guiding influence during significant junctures in one’s
life.
Angels
have appeared in works of art for thousands of years. Beings perceived as Angels
appear in ancient Mesopotamian (think Sumerian) and early Greek art; many scholars
believe such depiction were the inspiration for other popular angel images,
such as those that are commonplace in Christianity. Modern day descriptions of Angles
are typically described as “winged” supernatural beings or spirits, usually
humanoid in form; they’re often depicted with wings on their back, a really
neat halo, and dressed out in robes and various forms of glowing light; there’re
found in various religions and mythologies throughout the world.
The appearance of Angles
has varied over the years. The earliest known
Christian image of an angel is absent wings.
On the other hand, the earliest known representation of angels with
wings is depicted on the “Prince’s Sarcophagus” carving portrayed above; it was
discovered in the 1930’s near Istanbul, Turkey and is generally attributed to
the reign of Theodosius I (379–395); he is noted for being the last Roman emperor
to have ruled both the eastern and the western halves of the Empire, although
he was Emperor of the west for only the last 3 years or so of his Reign.
Most scholars
believe that Angels are depicted with having wings because the word Angel (Greek
ἄγγελος – aggelos) means messenger, wings are said to promote the perceived
concept of swiftness of the message from heaven to the individual who is receiving
the message. Wings just represent swiftness, nothing more . . . The western
idea of wings, and halos for that matter, originated through ancient religions
and mythology.
Images of
angels looking like human beings, but with wings, were an ancient idea that
illustrated caring compassionate spirit beings that came from a “higher place”
or the place many folks perceive as the “heavens.” Wings, you see, are perhaps
the easiest way to convey the idea of angels zipping back and forth or as some
might say up and down from the spirit world to Earth and then back again. You
probably recall that many ancient gods were often depicted as birds or as
having wings.
Having said all this, you
might be wondering if angles are an outdated concept or belief. If that is your current way of thinking, consider
this: A 2002 study based on interviews with 350 people, mainly in the United
Kingdom, reportedly said they have had at least one experience in regard to angels;
several types of descriptions or experiences were mentioned; such “visions”,
sometimes in the presence of multiple
witnesses, include warnings being conveyed; a sense of being pushed, touched, or
lifted, usually to prevent a dangerous situation or an accident; and now and
then the scent of a pleasant fragrance, generally in the context of someone’s
death. As for Angles being witnessed visually,
the angels were described as appearing in various forms, either that of the modern
“classical” (human features with wings), or in the form of beautiful or radiant
human beings, or on some occasions as beings composed of or surrounded by light.
As for
the United States, a 2008 survey performed by Baylor University’s Institute for Studies
of Religion located in Waco, Texas and published by TIME magazine; polled 1,700
participants. It found that 55 percent
of Americans, including one in five of those who say they are not religious,
believe that they have been protected by a guardian angel during their life-time.
An earlier Pew poll in August 2007 found that 68 percent of Americans believe
that “angels and demons are active in the world”, and, further, according to
four different polls conducted in 2009, a greater percentage of Americans
believe in angels (55%) than those who believe in global warming (36%).
Not to be
out-done a 2008 survey of more than 1,000 Canadians found 67 percent of those
good folks believe angels are real, winged or not winged.
Sources:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Angel#Contemporary_belief_in_angels http://sugraphic.com/fotograf_goster.php?2485-princes-sarcophagus
http://www.spiritualinspiration.org/t2849-why-do-angels-have-wings
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Angel
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