~Luke 2:10~

is derived from the Greek word (Angelos) for messenger. One of the

most frequently painted scenes in Christian Art~particularly favoured

during the renassaince~is the Annunciation. As chronicled in the

Gospel of Luke, it was Gabriel who announced to the Virgin

Mary that she would give birth to the child of God.

In many Annunciations a ribbon-like banner unfurls, emblazoned

with the words 'Ecce ancilla domini' ("Behold the handmaid of the Lord"),

taken from Luke's account.

To fill our days with kindness and love."

~Anonymous~

name means "high healer." Isaiah tells that he saw the Lord

sitting on a throne, high and lifted up and then he

saw the seraphim. The flaming angels were above it. Each of

these angels had six wings: two covered his face, two his

feet and two were used for flying. They perpetually call out to

each other, "Holy, Holy, Holy is the Lord of Hosts, the whole

earth is full of His Glory." It is the song of Creation.

And behold them frequently in spirit;

For without being seen,

They are present within you."

~St. Francis de Sales~

in fact, in purely visual terms, they are frequently indistinguishable.

But their meanings are as different as spirituality and sexuality.

Cupid, the Roman god known as Eros to the Greeks, is a symbol

of sensual love. Portrayed as a male child or adolescent, he often

carries a bow and arrow, which are emblems of love's power; he is

also frequently blindfolded, because love is blind. A Cherub, however,

has quite another meaning. Cherubim (the original plural form of cherub)

ranks as the second highest group in the celestial hierarchy and are

the first angels mentioned in the Holy Bible:in Genesis 3:24

"... he placed on the east side of the Garden of Eden

cherubim and a flaming sword flashing back and forth to guard

the way to the tree of life." Cherubs rarely wear anything

more than flowers, and the form they take is that of 'putti'

(Italian for "little boys")~~the plump, rosy-bottomed male figures used

as decorative elements in both religious and mythological art.

Adoring cherubs often worship the young Christ.

put under the charge of an angel."

~Saint Augustine~

(the lowest categories in the hierarchy) are traditionally said to

interact with man and woman in the course of daily life. In some

cases, the angel serves only as a messenger, but in others the

angel lingers in visible form, taking responsibility for the well-being

of individuals in trouble, guarding them from harm, offering

them sustenance, or leading them out of danger.