about angels
The Estonian word "Ingel" derives from Greek (angelos - messenger). We have borrowed this word from the Germans (der Engel). The Greek heritage of this noun Is well recognisable In English and French as well: an angel, un ange. Angels are not only a Christian phenomenon. The Christians found "their" angels In the Old Testament, where these creatures converse with the people when God has something Important to tell to the Jews.
In the Bible (and In Koran), angels are the direct servants of God. Being a smart commander, God has shaped them Into a real army, which Is sent Into battle when the time Is right. As usual In the armies, It has Its own generals. We may only mention three of them: archangels Michael, Raphael and Gabriel.
He Is always depicted clad In armour, with a sword or spear, killing a dragon-like creature that symbolises evil. This angel has a feast even In the Estonian national calendar - St. Michael's Day (September 29), giving rise to "mihklikuu", the popular name of September. Boys born In this month were often named Mihkel.
Archangel Raphael Is mentioned only In the apocryphal Book of Tobit, which Is no longer published In the protestant Bible. This angel Is a smart guide for Tobit, a true believer, and his son during their wondrous journey. In Louvre, we can see the marvellous painting "Angel Raphael Leaving Tobit and his Family" by Rembrandt. On the left, we see Tobit on his knees, giving praise to a winged creature who had been a conversation partner to the man and his family just moments ago. Everyone Is amazed: the son of Tobit standing beside him, the two women, and particularly the dog who has jumped onto the back of the believer do not understand how can It be that their companion suddenly grew wings and started to fly In the air.
However, It Is precisely as winged creatures that we have come to picture the angels. Still, this has not always been the case. For the Jews, an angel was simply a beautiful young man without beard, very clean (all In white), often with long and carefully washed hair. As women caught In adultery were supposed to be lapidated (I.e., stoned to death), young Jewish girls had no choice but to confess that they were visited by an angel on that particular night when their husband was not at home. We can encounter such cases not only In the Old Testament but also In the Christian Scriptures.
The best example Is the beginning of the Gospel of Luke that prophesises the birth of John the Baptist. The parents of John, Zacharias and Elizabeth, were advanced In years and still childless. However, they were once visited by archangel Gabriel himself and after that Elizabeth got pregnant. This Is the same Gabriel who visited Virgin Mary before her conception. When Mary was home alone one day, a beautiful young man came to her through an open window and said: "Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favour with God. And now, you will conceive In your womb and bear a son, and you will name him Jesus."
All scenes of Mary's annunciation In art depict Gabriel as the same beautiful young man with long hair and large wings. As has been said, the Israelites never attached wings to their angels. So where did the wings come from?
Winged deities or their escorts are purely a heathen phenomenon. The angels who have become so familiar to us through art received their wings from Nike, the ancient Greek goddess of triumph (see the famous marble statue of Nike on the main staircase at Louvre); the small wings of little angels (cherubs) are derived from the Greek Eros (also known as Amor or Cupid by the Romans), the son of Aphrodite (Venus) and Ares (Mars). He was a young and beautiful companion to his mother, a winged archer, whose arrows created love not only between man and woman, but also between men and between women. The name Eros Is the source of words like "erotica" and "erotic".
During Hellenism, Eros decreased In age. He became a restless and gallant rascal, who tortured both gods and men with his arrows. Modifications of Eros are the Erotes, who were depicted In Greek art In the 5th century BC as the retinue of naked winged boys following the Goddess of Love. The Italian artist Caravaggio created a particularly delicate Interpretation of the ancient "angel". To understand that, you only need to visit the Berlin Art Gallery and see his notorious painting "AMOR VICTORIOUS", which could almost be the logo of this small article.
There are also some evil angels. They are called demons. Christianity placed all heathen gods amongst the evil demons, but In the Old Testament, demons are angels who rebelled against God. In the later art the demons have wings as well. These angels usually appear as spirits causing harm to the humans. In Estonian tradition, a demon was often called an "evil spirit" or "paharet".Still, the word ANGEL carries a positive connotation In our language.
All European languages Include phrases like: she Is pretty as an angel, she has a voice of an angel, she has the charm of an angel, etc. Besides, we all have our very own guardian angels! Wouldn't we all like to meet OUR ANGEL even tonight, In this café or bar, to take our concerns away with his closeness, whisper and touch, to provide nourishment for the future In the hope that this ANGEL would signify a new age In our lives.
Wishing you enjoyable experiences!
Your Angel