Angel and Cherub Tattoos

About Angel and Cherub Tattoos

It seems that people have always been interested in angels as well as quite curious about them. References to angels are peppered throughout many religious writings, and they've been a favorite subject for many of history's greatest artists. Just look at Botticelli's famous works to see angels rendered at their finest.

Is it any wonder then that angel and cherub tattoos are so popular with body art enthusiasts? People are not only attracted to the look of these heavenly beings, they also want to know more about them. According to most sources, angels were created as heavenly messengers meant to travel between our world and heaven. They are neither masculine nor feminine in nature, although they are often portrayed as one or the other. We traditionally seem to think of standard angels as adult figures. Cherubs are often thought of as baby angels, although scholars tell us this isn't exactly the case. Cherubs simply have a different form from standard angels, but are not child-like by nature.

Whether you prefer to have your angels and cherubs inked separately or in tattoo mural, these fleshy works of art are arguably one of the most popular tattoo genres of all.

Which Kind of Angel Suits You?

There are so many kinds of angels that it would be difficult to cover them all, but here are a few of the angels most frequently found as tattoos.

Cupids

Cupids are actually cherubs, usually used to express sentiments of love. Women seem to be especially fond of these chubby, curly-headed figures.

Who wears cherub tattoos? In most cases, it's women. However, some men do choose this type of angel design, especially when the tat is used to commemorate the birth or death of a child. Women usually like to combine cherubs with other designs like hearts and roses to create tats full of romance and femininity.

Archangels

Archangels rank highest in angel hierarchy, and they're usually depicted as very strong and masculine. St. Michael is a popular figure in angel tattoos. He is often dressed in attire similar to Roman armor, and he wields a large sword and a heavy shield.

So, who wears an archangel tattoo design? Quite often it's someone who feels strongly about issues of justice, and possibly vengeance. After all, Michael is considered the head of God's army in some religions. However, anyone with a devotion for one of the seven named archangels might want to profess their loyalty with one of these tats.

Guardian Angels

Guardian angels are believed to watch over us, and it's said that we each have at least one guardian angel of our own. Guardian angels are usually depicted less fiercely than the archangels, and might be drawn as men or women.

Who wears a guardian angel tattoo? Virtually anyone, but especially people who want to share their beliefs, whether they're Muslim, Christian, Jew or otherwise. The belief in guardian angels is a fairly universal one.

Fallen Angels

These angels are significantly different from the other kinds of angels listed above. Fallen angels usually have a darker expression on their face, and they are often depicted with a severed or broken wing to show their lowered status.

Who wears a fallen angel tattoo? Usually it's people who feel they aren't a part of mainstream society. It would be easy to relegate fallen angels to Goth territory, but these angels have a far wider appeal that spans more than one group. Virtually anyone who feels like an outsider or a rebel might choose a fallen angel as fodder for a tattoo.

Angel Wings

Rather than getting angel and cherub tattoos, some people prefer to turn themselves into angels by having angel wings tattooed on their back. These tats can be small and symbolic, or they can be done as an entire back mural. It really depends on how bold a statement you want to make, and just how much of the needle you can endure.