Angel Tattoos

Angel tattoos help you convey your message with heavenly messengers.

Angel Tattoos

Angel tattoos hold a high amount of spiritual significance. Throughout history, angels have been depicted as God's messengers and soldiers, delivering His word and carrying out His punishments on mankind. They are also presented as protectors of mankind and harbingers of love. Mentions of angels are found throughout the texts of the world's three largest religions: Christianity, Judaism, and Islam. In essence, they are the linking species between Heaven and Earth.

Even though angels are rich with religious significance, they are just as likely to be popular tattoos because their form lends itself so beautifully to artistic design, especially their most outstanding feature, their wings. Angel wings are often used alone in tattoos, without the rest of the body design, and enhanced with other designs such as hearts, crosses, or banners with wording holding special meaning to the tattoo's owner.

The Debate

Even though angels and crosses are considered mainly Christian symbolism, there is a debate whether Christians are allowed to tattoo themselves at all, angel tattoos or not. Tattoos were considered a pagan practice by the early Christians and thought to carry a spiritual penalty for the wearer. In later years, the Council of Calcuth redefined the church's policy on tattoos, and tats that were worn to honor God and to bear witness to his glory were then said to bring heavenly rewards.

The book of Leviticus also contains admonishments against tattoos, leading orthodox Jews to find the practice to be against God's law. Jewish persons who have tattoos are forbidden, for example, to be buried in an orthodox Jewish cemetery.

Types of Angels

Angels come in all shapes and sizes, signifying different messages or beliefs.

Guardian Angels

Guardian angels are believed to be the protectors of humanity in times of crisis, and are very popular tattoo designs. Quite often, guardian angels are pictured holding or standing just behind children in a watchful pose.

Archangels

The Archangels are the royalty of all angels, and considered the closest to God in the heavenly order. No archangel is more famous than God's warrior, Michael. Michael is believed to have led the battle against Lucifer in the great rebellion, casting him out of heaven himself. Michael is usually depicted in body armor, holding a large sword, with wings out swept in readiness.

Cherubs

Cherubs are the harbingers of love, as evidenced by Cupid and his bow and arrow. Cupid shoots his arrow through the hearts of unsuspecting people, causing them to fall immediately in love with one another, and so these angel tattoos are usually accompanied by an arrow through the heart too. Frequently, the name of a loved one is also added to the Cupid tattoo. The famous Renaissance paintings of Raphael depicting cherubs have been turned into popular tattoo designs as well.

Fallen Angels

Fallen angels are symbolic of the epic battle between God and Lucifer, symbolizing a fall from Grace. When Lucifer and his army of rebellious angels were defeated and cast out of Heaven, they were said to have fallen into the fiery bowels of the earth, where they are believed to reside today in popular Judeo/Christian theism.

The typical fallen angel tattoo usually pictures a somewhat menacing looking angel, often with a bloody sword in his or her hand. Other fallen angels are depicted with torn or injured wings, or even horns. These angel tattoos frequently use a darker, heavier ink to make the design seem more foreboding. Fallen angels are popular with Goths and bikers in particular, as well as those who are devotees of Satan and the dark arts.

Summary

Angel tattoos are thought to reflect the wearer's personal relationship with God, be it solid or estranged, so choose your design with care.

For more pictures of angel tats, be sure to visit our gallery.

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