Iconography in Art and Architecture .................. Illustrated Dictionaries - Table of Contents
Angels - Iconography
in Art and
Architecture
Iconography: Study of the symbolic,
often religious, meaning of objects, persons, or events depicted in
works of art
Research
contributions by Gregory L. Witul
| On this page: Gabriel Michael Miscellany Music: Angels with musical instruments Orders of angels |
See also : |
| Image | History | Examples |
| Gabriel, Archangel | Often shown with his trumpet by
which he was known as the announcer of the beginning of things, i.e.
the Annunciation to Mary and the Last Day of Judgment. Depicted: Holding trumpet Acccording to Muslim tradition the prophet Mohammad received his inspiration for the Koran directly from the Archangel Gabriel in the famous cave at Hira, where he had sought refuge while fleeing from his enemies. It has been an important place of pilgrimage for all Muslims on their journey to Mecca some 30 km away. In celebration of this event stalactites became an essential element, imbued with religious connotations. |
Stained glass: St. John's Grace Episcopal Church Icons: Hellenic Orthodox Church of the Annunciation Kirillo-Belozersky Monastery Goritsy, Russia Church of the Intercession, Kizhi, Russia Paintings: Catalonian National Art Museum, Barcelona, Spain Sgraffito: Assumption RC Church Mosaic: Deesis - Hagia Sophia, Istanbul, Turkey |
| Michael, Archangel | An archangel in Jewish, Christian
and Islamic tradition. He is viewed as the field commander of the Army
of God. He is mentioned by name in the Book of Daniel, the Book of Jude
and the Book of Revelation. In the English epic poem Paradise
Lost by John Milton, Michael commands the army of angels loyal to
God against the rebel forces of Satan. Armed with a sword from God's armory, he bests Satan in personal combat, wounding his side. Depictions: Armed with a sword from God's armory, he bests Satan in personal combat, wounding his side. |
Stained glass: Saints Peter and Paul RC Church St. Joseph RC Cathedral St. John's Grace Episcopal Church Our Lady of Victory RC Basilica Hellenic Orthodox Church of the Annunciation Assumption RC Church Icons: Hellenic Orthodox Church of the Annunciation St. Basil's Church, Moscow, Russia Mural: Kirillo-Belozersky Monastery, Goritsy, Russia Paintings: Catalonian National Art Museum, Barcelona, Spain |
| Miscellany | Spiritual being attendant upon God In Medieval (Gothic) art, angels are sometimes holding a chalice to collect the blood spouting from the stigmata of Christ on the cross. |
Sculpture: Buffalo
Religious Art Center Guardian angel Stained glass: Trinity Episcopal Church Hardman window Trinity Episcopal Church LaFarge window St. Paul Episcopal Cathedral Holy Angels RC Church In heaven Holy Angels RC Church Swinging censcer Episcopal Church of the Ascension Annunciation RC Church Buffalo Religious Arts Center /St. Francis Xavier RC Church Several Paintings: Galleria dell'Accademia di Firenze Crucifixion stigmata |
| Music: Angels with musical instruments | Revelation
8:2 ...seven angels who stand before God, and to them were given
seven trumpets. Revelation 15:2-3 They held harps given them by God and sang the song of Moses the servant of God and the song of the Lamb. Depicted in choir loft rose windows, sometimes with Saint Cecilia playing an organ (See illustration above) |
Stained glass: Felician Sisters Convent Chapel Various instruments Corpus Christi RC Church Various instruments First Presbyterian Church, Lockport With lute and cymbals First Presbyterian Church, Lockport With organ and harp First Presbyterian Church, Lockport With trumpets Holy Angels RC Church With lyre Holy Angels RC Church With horn Trinity RC Church With lyre? St. John's Grace Episcopal Church With lyre? Holy Angels RC Church Coronation of Mary mural Episcopal Church of the Ascension Angelic orchestra Holy Trinity Lutheran Church 7 angels Mural: St. Casimir's RC Church |
| Orders of Angels |
First Sphere Seraphim (Singular seraph) Six wings; two covering their faces, two covering their bodies ("feet"), and two with which they fly. Caretakers of God's throne and continuously shout praises of "Holy, holy, holy [Sanctus]." 2 Above it stood the seraphims:
each one had six wings; with twain he covered his face, and with twain
he covered his feet, and with twain he did fly.
3And one cried unto another, and said, Holy, holy, holy, is the LORD of hosts: the whole earth is full of his glory. Cherubim (Singular cherub) Four faces: a man, an ox, a lion, and an eagle. They have four conjoined wings covered with eyes, and they have ox's feet. Cherubim guard the way to the tree of life in the Garden of Eden: Genesis 3:24: So he drove out the man; and he placed at the east of the garden of Eden Cherubims, and a flaming sword which turned every way, to keep the way of the tree of life. Cherubim guard the way to the throne of God: Ezekiel 28:14-16 / Ezekiel 10:17-20 / 1 Kings 6:23-28 NOTE: The symbols for the Four Evangelists are a man, an ox, a lion, and an eagle. Thrones Appear as a beryl [dull blue] -colored wheel-within-a-wheel, their rims covered with hundreds of eyes. Colossians 1:16 / Revelation 11:16 Second Sphere Dominions Look like divinely beautiful humans with a pair of feathered wings. Wield orbs of light fastened to the heads of their sceptres or on the pommel of their swords. Regulate the duties of lower angels. Virtues Their primary duty is to supervise the movements of the heavenly bodies in order to ensure that the cosmos remains in order. Powers Warrior angels created to be completely loyal to God. Some believe that no Power has ever fallen from grace, but another theory states that Satan was the Chief of the Powers before he fell. Third Sphere Principalities Wear a crown and carry a sceptre. Their duty also is said to be to carry out the orders given to them by the Dominions. Archangels Seven in number. They are the highest ranking angels. Only Michael and Gabriel are mentioned by name in the New Testament. Some include Raphael and Uriel. Angels "Messengers" or "angels" are the lowest order of the angels, and the most recognized. These angels are sent as messengers to humankind. Main source: Wikipedia: Christian Angelic Hierarchy |
Stained glass: Seraph: St. Paul's Episcopal Cathedral Mosaic: Seraphim: Church on Spilled Blood, St. Petersburg, Russia Seraph: Church on Spilled Blood, St. Petersburg, Russia Cherub: Church on Spilled Blood, St. Petersburg, Russia Mural: St. Adalbert Basilica |
