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A is for Angel.....

The Guardians, the Warriors, the Messengers, the Fallen---- present in many different religions and mythologies. Whether as heralds or as defenders, there are as many classes of these humanoid entities as
there are religions, their role as mutable as their form.

The image of these creatures ranges from benevolent guardians to war-ravaged soldiers, defending, to the 'death', all that is good from all that is evil.





The name, Angel, is originally derived from the Greek, aggelos,  meaning "messenger." Considered divine intermediaries between heaven and earth, these holy 'messengers' are depicted in their most recognizable form with wings and halos--some as innocent infants, others as heavily armored warriors.








Celestial Imaginings

On winged feet and winged limb,
come the fiery Seraphim.
With faces four and on four wings,
come the creature, Cherubim.

War-ready and battle-scarred,
ride the Archangels seven.
Leading 'cross the universe divide,
 the mighty host from the heavens.

                                                                                                        ---e.a.s. demers



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  1. Joe RichardsonApril 1, 2013 at 8:08 AM

    Your words and photos always rock. :)

    I usually think of angels in the context of Christmas, where we see their softer side. You make a good point--they're also creatures of destruction, a la the Bible--and Indiana Jones.

    Awesome launch for the A to Z, my friend!

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    Replies
    1. e.a.s. demersApril 1, 2013 at 1:48 PM

      Aw, thanks much :-)

      Don't forget Doctor Who! I was VERY tempted to sneak a pic of the Whovian Angels into the post....



      Delete
  2. T. Powell ColtrinApril 1, 2013 at 12:12 PM

    What a great way to start the A-Z -- Angels.

    Funny, I think of Angels as warriors and never fluffy characters.

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    Replies
    1. e.a.s. demersApril 1, 2013 at 1:50 PM

      Thanks, Teresa! And, welcome!

      Yeah, the same goes for me--- I have a hard time envisioning the quaint little cherubs that so many people like to think of :-)

      Delete
  3. EvalinaMariaApril 1, 2013 at 3:06 PM

    Love Angels! Good luck with the challenge.

    ReplyDelete
  4. Silvia WritesApril 1, 2013 at 9:12 PM

    Well written. Also interesting that Angel is a name in some cultures.
    Great wasy to start the Challenge.
    Silvia @ Silvia Writes

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    Replies
    1. e.a.s. demersApril 1, 2013 at 9:16 PM

      Thanks! Yeah, it is interesting.... I wonder which "image" of the Angel parents are using to name their children, lol!

      Delete
  5. HistorySleuthApril 2, 2013 at 9:25 AM

    Beautiful pics and a well written post. Cemeteries are a gold mine for angels. Forest Lawn in Buffalo has some very elaborate statutes.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. e.a.s. demersApril 2, 2013 at 11:14 AM

      Thanks! Cemeteries are gold mines for LOTS of cool/beautiful things :-)

      Delete
  6. Stelios V. PerdiosApril 2, 2013 at 11:28 AM

    I, too, did angels for my first couple A to Z challenge entries at d20 Dark Ages.

    Also, have you ever heard of the Black Angel in the Oakland Cemetery in Iowa City? Here's the wikipedia article, but you can find other images online.

    I've seen it in person. It's one of the creepiest things I've seen in a graveyard and its supposedly cursed. Even so, Some people actually dare to kiss the Black Angel!

    Anyway, good luck with the rest of the challenge!

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    Replies
    1. e.a.s. demersApril 2, 2013 at 1:03 PM

      Wow! That's one creepy-looking angel... No, I'd never heard of it before, but, I can see why it gets all the attention that it does!

      Luck to you, as well :-)

      Delete

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