Bestiary |
Angels
I was reproached for the fact that, over the long eight years of writing the Bestiary, a whole host of demons appeared in its pages, while not a single angel did. I acknowledged this. And I am eager to correct what I have neglected.
It was not an unintentional oversight.
From the perspective of these texts, angels belong to that more difficult group of supernatural beings—the generic ones, or those that are generally known. Neither one nor the other can be dismissed with a few lines and a pretense that the topic has been exhausted. So please consider this text merely a brief (perhaps too brief) introduction to something that others have covered much better elsewhere.
But let’s start from the beginning—in this case, with the name and the basic concept of its bearer.
The word “angel,” as is well known, comes from the Greek angelos, meaning “messenger.” It expresses the popular and familiar idea of God’s messengers—that is, intermediaries between Him and us. Of course, it’s not that simple, as evidenced by the fact that the most common representative of this kind is the guardian angel, a spiritual guide whom God assigns to every person at birth; this concept corresponds to the age-old belief in doppelgangers, a belief found across all cultures. Cherubim—the guardians of Eden with flaming swords—and archangels (whom laypeople often associate with or confuse with seraphim) have also become popular.
Equally simple is the basic conception of their appearance.
In Christian tradition—or rather, in popular consciousness—an angel is associated with a human-like figure endowed with swan-like wings. Artists have also adhered to this image, depicting angels mostly in this form, in accordance with the client’s wishes or public expectations.
The reality is, of course, much more complex.
Angels in the form (this time in a figurative sense) as we understand them today can already be found in the Old Testament. It is possible that these were adapted Mesopotamian deities; in any case, they appear as Malachim, or Messengers, which corresponds to the aforementioned conception, but also as the Sons of God (Bnei Elohim). In this role, they are not typically benevolent beings; the Book of Genesis, for example, describes the stumbling block:
And it came to pass, when men began to multiply on the face of the earth, and daughters were born unto them,
That the sons of God saw the daughters of men that they were fair; and they took them wives of all which they chose.
And the LORD said, My spirit shall not always strive with man, for that he also is flesh: yet his days shall be an hundred and twenty years.
There were giants in the earth in those days; and also after that, when the sons of God came in unto the daughters of men, and they bare children to them, the same became mighty men which were of old, men of renown.
Genesis 6 KJV
Indeed, angels became one of the causes of the Flood. Their fundamental characteristic is free will, as evidenced by the well-known schism among them, when a (smaller) portion of them—led, according to the more familiar version, by the seraph Lucifer, and according to an older account, by Azazel—rebelled against God. But that is another story.
Even the appearance of angels does not quite correspond to common perception. According to official sources, angels are immaterial and take on a physical form only rarely, when they must interact with humans. However, there are also angels that look like winged serpents (dragons), with multiple pairs of wings, monster-like angels, beings made of pure fire… The seasoned reader of these pages surely already suspects what will follow. Space for references to specific individuals or groups.
Archangels, Cherubs, Dokiel, Dominions, Gabriel, Hadraniel, Ireul, Jibrail, Metatron, Michael, Ofanim, Principalities, Puriel, Powers, Raphael, Seraphs, Thrones, Uriel, Virtues, Wheels
Abraham and the Three Angels in an engraving by Lucas van Leyden, CC0, via Wikimedia Commons
5.8.2026 (25.5.2008)
Angelic Orders
As is the case with other similar entities or general groups of supernatural beings, angels have their own hierarchy—or rather, several systems.
For this discussion—others may follow in the future—I will adhere to Christian Catholic angelology. This system divides angels into orders inhabiting corresponding heavenly spheres. There are three such spheres, each comprising three, so to speak, angelic families. In the first sphere, you will find the Seraphim, Cherubim, and Thrones. The second sphere consists of the Dominions, Powers, and Virtues, while the third sphere includes the Principalities, Archangels, and Angels. Today, we’ll briefly introduce them.
Seraphim
They are among the highest-ranking angels, guarding God’s throne while ceaselessly praising the Lord with their song. They are made of pure light and usually have three pairs of wings. The most famous angels belong to this order: Gabriel, Michael, and Metatron; Lucifer also belonged to the Seraphim (as his name, incidentally, reveals).
Cherubim
The appearance of cherubim resembles that of legendary monsters. Although artists have often depicted them as children, biblical sources describe them differently: as a combination of human and animal features. As Ezekiel says:
And every one had four faces: the first face was the face of a cherub, and the second face was the face of a man, and the third the face of a lion, and the fourth the face of an eagle.
15 And the cherubims were lifted up. This is the living creature that I saw by the river of Chebar.
Ezekiel 10:14–15 KJV
They stand before God’s throne as advisors and guardians; it is sometimes said that they do not belong to the order of angels, but to beings ranked even higher than them. Armed with flaming swords, they also guarded Eden—or rather, the path to the Tree of the Knowledge of Good and Evil; as we know, they failed to guard it.
Thrones (sometimes also called Wheels, Hebrew: Ofanim)
If any of the angelic orders strays furthest from the usual conception of humanoid beings with wings, it is the Thrones. They look like wheels studded with eyes around their circumference; they are often associated with God’s throne and represent God’s justice.
Dominions
This group, on the other hand, is believed to have the typical appearance of beautiful human beings with swan-like wings, although it is highly unlikely that any of them would ever appear to humans. Their task is to direct the activities of the lower angelic orders.
Virtues
They stand behind the Thrones and are primarily responsible for ensuring that the heavenly spheres move in proper harmony.
Powers
The embodiment of Conscience and a kind of heavenly Academy of Sciences; theologians, philosophers, political scientists, and policy planners. They are also the heavenly armed forces; one account states that the Powers are the only angelic order created after the well-known schism and the fall of the dissidents into hell. Another, however, claims that Satan was originally the head of the Powers; this version is also plausible.
Principalities
They are tasked with bestowing God’s blessings upon our world, watching over humanity, and inspiring artists and scientists. They also carry out tasks assigned by the Powers. Their attributes are a crown on their head and a scepter in their hand.
Archangels
First among angels—the term itself says it all. Although several names are often mentioned, only Michael and Gabriel are explicitly identified as archangels in the New Testament (though in Gabriel’s case, this is not certain). The others—to whom I will return another time, as they belong to a different hierarchy—originated from later sources and studies. Raphael, for example, is considered an archangel by Catholics and Orthodox Christians, while in Protestant churches this is only rarely the case. Nevertheless, tradition has settled on the seven highest and closest to God—the protectors of lands and nations, those who have beheld the Face of God and therefore live in perfect balance (in Orthodoxy, however, there is talk of thousands of archangels, seven of whom are known by name).
Angels
The final category consists of ordinary angels, God’s messengers—the common folk among the lower mythological beings. They have many diverse functions and frequent contact with the human world. Simply put, they are the angels as we imagine them in everyday life.
5.8.2026
And that’s all for today. Briefly, perhaps a bit chaotically—but I’ve also kept the original biblical names of the angelic classes in reserve so that I can return to them sometime in the future.
5.8.2026 (1.6.2008)
Metatron
You won’t find his name in the main texts of Judaism, Christianity, or Islam, yet Metatron is one of the more popular angels, especially in Judaism. He is one of the highest-ranking angels—sometimes even considered the highest angel—and is referred to as the “lesser YHWH” (God). He is the leader of the seraphim, and according to the Talmud, he took over the role of Prince of the World from Michael.
There are two main versions of the story regarding his origin. According to the first, Metatron appeared at the very creation of the world to assist the Lord in this extraordinary work; I will present the more interesting version with a well-known biblical quote:
And Enoch walked with God: and he was not; for God took him.
Genesis 5:24 KJV
Methuselah’s father was transformed from a human into a higher being.
But whatever Metatron’s origin may be, he is in any case a celebrity—the only one permitted to sit at God’s throne, while the others must stand. Of course, it is not merely a matter of status; Metatron also serves as the heavenly scribe, and it is difficult to write while standing. According to Elisha ben Avuyah and his followers, however, Metatron is not only a scribe but also an advocate, representing the Jewish people before the heavenly court. Furthermore, as others have inferred, he is the angel whom God sent as a guide to the Israelite tribes during their exodus from Egyptian captivity. All of this is, of course, based on a thorough study of religious texts; scholars have uncovered references to Metatron in many places, and Wikipedia lists over a hundred names under which he can (probably) be found in various texts.
It is said that it was he who, at the last moment, stopped Abraham’s hand as he was about to sacrifice Isaac.
5.8.2026 (8.6.2008)
Hadraniel
The guardian angel of the second heavenly gate is over two million kilometers long. According to Jewish tradition, Moses encountered him; the encounter, terrified him so much that he was struck dumb. That wasn't just because of this angel's majestic appearance, however; Hadraniel believed that Moses simply had no business being there. Upon God's revelation and rebuke, he quickly changed his mind and became the prophet's guide.
Another (or differently conceived) Hadraniel, according to the Gnostics, was one of the seven subordinates of Jehuel, the prince of fire.
5.8.2026 (15.6.2008)
Ireul
One of the lesser-known Christian angels, whose name—meaning “Reverence for God”—often appeared on amulets worn by pregnant women.
5.8.2026 (15.6.2008)
Puriel
Together with Dokiel, he forms a pair of angels who test souls before they enter heaven. He is said to be merciless—a quality that is certainly invaluable in such a role.
5.8.2026 (15.6.2008)
Michael
One of the seven highest-ranking archangels, he is often identified with the Old Testament protector of Israel. He stands before God’s throne and also visits every dying person to offer them redemption before death. He also weighs souls before they enter heaven.
His role in the war against the fallen angels is often mentioned. He participated in it as the supreme commander of God’s armies, achieved victory, and, according to the popular Book of Revelation, will repeat this victory at the end of the world. His wartime experience earned him patronage over knights—French, Portuguese, and British orders bore his name. However, the list of his functions—or rather, the activities over which he extends his protective hand—is more extensive. He watches over paratroopers, police officers, radiologists, and radiation therapists, as well as food merchants, and oversees battles. He also watches over Germany and England, and, in a joint capacity, the city of Brussels.
In the Old Testament, he is explicitly mentioned in the Book of Daniel—twice, in fact—though theologians, based on certain clues (namely, the sword and the claim that he is the commander of the Lord’s forces), have also identified him in the Book of Joshua. Of course, this was at Jericho, before its conquest. The Talmud and other Jewish sources sometimes interpret him in the same way as Metatron (who inherited the title “Prince of Light” from him), while elsewhere they add to his description. He bears the title “Heavenly Viceroy,” which originally belonged to Satan. He is said to have taught Moses.
Historical records document several apparitions of Michael, beginning in the fifth century—when he is said to have appeared for the first time—and culminating in the famous apparition at the Battle of Mons in 1914, where terrified German soldiers saw him riding through the clouds at the head of an angelic army above the British troops.
He is also recognized as an authority among Muslims, where he is one of the four archangels and his wings are filled with mouths pleading with God for mercy for humanity.
5.8.2026 (20.6.2008)
Raphael
The second of the most famous archangels, whose name means “God heals.” This predestined him to be the patron saint of doctors; over the centuries, however, he has taken on many more roles, though most of them are associated with illnesses or those who battle them.
Most specifically, thanks to the ancient story in which he cured Tobit’s blindness, he is associated with vision problems. Another of his roles—the protection of young people and travelers—also stems from the same source, namely the apocryphal Book of Tobit, as he accompanied Tobit’s son Tobiah and his fiancée Sarah from Nineveh to Media and back. Moreover, the girl was possessed by the demon Asmodeus, who had killed her seven husbands before they could even become her husbands; the angel, disguised as Azariah, son of the great Hananiah (Tobit 5:13), also delivered her from this affliction (the demon, not the other problem). Incidentally, it’s quite a nice story, and not too long, so if you haven’t read it yet, go ahead and give it a try.
Despite the popularity his name still enjoys today, strangely enough, it does not appear under that name in either the New Testament or the Quran, even though both Christians and Muslims recognize him; according to Islam, it is said to be he who will sound the trumpet at the Last Judgment.
Raphael’s attributes, as well as his frequent depictions—whether it’s a pilgrim’s staff, a flask, or a fish—are based on the story mentioned above. Occultists have not overlooked him either; for them, he is one of the seven angels of the Apocalypse (the usual seven (arch)angels who are prepared to enter before the glory of the Lord, as mentioned—now for the third time—in the Book of Tobit), according to Johann Trithemius, Raphael commands the cherubim and archangels, and also rules the Second Heaven, or Raquia.
5.8.2026 (1.7.2008)
Gabriel
God truly assigned Gabriel elite tasks. He is the best-known of His messengers and, by all accounts, also the highest-ranking angel.
He explained to Daniel his visions of the goat and the ram; he announced to Mary that the Holy Spirit would come upon her and that her relative Elizabeth, considered barren, was already pregnant and would give birth to a child who would also play a major role in the fate of the world—namely, John the Baptist. He dictated the Quran to the Muslims (who call him Jibrail) and to Muhammad. He will sound the trumpet heralding the end of the world.
According to the Talmud, he is the only angel who speaks Syriac and Chaldean, so he may have been the one who prevented the sacrifice of Isaac. He was also the one who explained to Noah how and what to do to survive the Flood, although according to Genesis (6:13–21) and the much older Babylonian version, the instructions were dictated by God Himself. The Latter-day Saints (i.e., Mormons), however, claim that Noah himself was merely the human form of Gabriel. But back to the Talmud—from the burning bush, from which God spoke to Moses in the third chapter of Exodus, our present-day archangel is said to have spoken on God’s behalf as well. He then served as Jacob’s sparring partner as Jacob prepared for his struggle with Esau.
The popular Book of Enoch reveals that Gabriel, along with the other archangels Michael, Raphael, Uriel, and Suriel, heeded the people’s complaints about the behavior of the Nephilim, the offspring of human women and the sons of God. It was he who incited four of these giants against the others, leading to a fratricidal war.
Gabriel, as imagined by El Greco, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons
5.8.2026 (6.7.2008)
Roman Overseers
Divine oversight is one of the fundamental functions that every religious system must fulfill. Usually, this is handled by a small group of specialists, or perhaps one representative assigned to each human being.
But while Christians are content with a guardian angel—and other cultures don’t go overboard either—the ancient Romans called upon whole hosts of lesser gods and supernatural beings to oversee, protect, and care for every single aspect of daily life. Children provide a nice—albeit incomplete, I admit—example of this.
A fair number of divine helpers are already involved in prenatal development and childbirth. Starting, for example, with Vitumnus, who breathes life into the conceived child.
Care for the child and the expectant mother naturally intensified as the birth approached, when Nona—later incorporated into the trio of the Fates, the Parcae—took charge, responsible for the ninth month of pregnancy. Expectant mothers also invoked Prorsa Postverta, a dual goddess in charge of the fetus’s position in the womb. The actual birth was overseen by a being known as Nixi, as well as the goddess Candelifera—also known as Carmenta or Lucina; her third name, which later became one of Juno’s epithets, derives from the Latin *lux*, meaning “light,” and in this context refers to the child’s arrival into the light of the world. Carmenta’s main task, however, was to ease labor pains and ensure that everything went smoothly.
The expectant mother also had at her disposal Partula, the goddess specializing in childbirth, or Picumnus, the god of growth and fertility—a figure of broader significance, since growth and fertility pertain not only to humans but above all to agriculture. Picumnus was also known by the names Sterquilinus or Stercutus, from which a Latin scholar can skillfully deduce his greatest contribution to human culture: namely, the discovery of fertilizing fields, which, when stimulated in this way, yield significantly larger harvests. In our discussion today, however, he is presented as the patron of motherhood.
This brings us one step further, to the little one who is already in the world. This moment, when a father holds his child in his arms for the first time (which women present have been observing for millennia with boundless horror in their eyes), is guarded by Levana. Of course, as was customary in Rome, she is not alone in this, and the newborn also receives divine attention from, for example, Matuta, who, in addition to this role, also watches over the seas and harbors; given Roman directness and frequent misunderstanding of figurative meanings, I would humbly venture to suggest that her association with harbors might also stem from a literal interpretation of the description of a legalized partnership as a “safe harbor” (though this theory depends on whether the Romans used such a description). What is certain is that the Matralia festival, held on June 11 at her temple in the Forum Boarium, was attended only by women in their first marriage.
Let us continue.
Rumina extended her protective hand over nursing mothers and their infants. She made no distinction based on species, watching over both humans and animals—which, in light of the Roman legend of the she-wolf nursing Romulus and Remus, seems entirely logical. It is not clear to me whether breast milk counted as the child’s first drink, or whether she oversaw the first sip from another source, but in any case, this moment belonged to Potina, while on the ninth day after birth, when the child was given a name, Nundina was in charge. The functions of both goddesses can be inferred from their names.
Picumnus’s brother, Pilumnus, in addition to the same task—that is, overseeing growth and development—also warded off illness from the infant, and since even back then people knew something about hygiene as a form of prevention, it was customary to provide both the mother and the child with a new bed, which Pilumnus—otherwise the inventor of grain milling—was able to appreciate. The little one in his first bed—that is, his cradle—was protected by Cuba, while the goddess Edusa taught him to eat and ensured proper nutrition.
Fabulinus was credited with the first word, which brings us to the first steps. And immediately to the next steps as well, because I was unable to trace this moment, which was surely given due attention.
Considerable attention was paid to the first time a child left the family home. Two goddesses oversaw this: Abeona upon departure and Adeona upon return; the entire first outing was guarded by Statanus and his wife, Statina. Domiduca then ensured the child’s safe return from their wanderings outside the home.
I’ll also mention Sentia, the goddess of a child’s first self-awareness, and Cardea, the goddess of the threshold and door hinges, who protected small children from vampire witches (note that even the Romans assumed that evil creatures had to cross the threshold to enter a house—and thus had to be invited in some way) and Paventia, who protects against sudden fright—and that’s about it for today.
5.8.2026 (13.7.2008)
Men-Shen
Armed with bows and arrows, a pair of guardians known as Men-Shen guard the main entrances to Chinese buildings. Before becoming door guardians, Qin Shu-bao and Hu Jing-Te (or Yuchi Gong) were reportedly generals of the Tang Dynasty; that is why they are depicted in uniforms or armor, complete with rank insignia. Like most Chinese guardians, they also have very angry and fearsome expressions, so that demons of a weaker nature will give up without a fight.
The back doors are not left unguarded either; these are watched over by the less popular Wei Cheng. He, too, is of human origin; during his lifetime, he served as a minister to Emperor Tang Tai-zong.
5.8.2026 (20.7.2008)
Fravashi
They assisted Ahura Mazda in the creation of the world, and now, in the form of horsemen with lances, they guard the heavens and escort the souls of the deceased there; above all, however, the Fravashi are protectors of the family. Every family has its own fravartin (the singular form); according to Zoroastrian tradition, it is the soul of a true believer.
5.8.2026 (27.7.2008)
Ombwiri
Indigenous tribes in Gabon, Central Africa, like many cultures around the world, regard the souls of their ancestors as guardian angels. They appear only when summoned, taking the form of white spirits. Or in dreams, during a fever, or after ingesting mild natural drugs. Like all spirits of this kind, they can ensure the family’s health and prosperity, though sometimes they are just as successful at causing the exact opposite—that is, illness and misery.
5.8.2026 (27.7.2008)
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