Isis is portrayed with wings so is Eros and Cupid and so are Angels...?

Question

Borrowed? Corillation?

Lots of good answers. I didn't say any of them actually had wings or not, I am just refering to painings, etc. I am studying Art History and thought it was neat how art evolved through the years especially religios. I don't doubt there is a lot of symbolism in the wings, I was just wondering if it all played in over the years.

Answer 1

The fact that some pagan gods are portrayed with wings is not borrowed or related to the existence of true angels, especially since the Hebrews (although preceeded by many civilizations) did not "invent" the concept of angels.

For the Greeks and Romans and Egyptians, flight was a privilege denied to mere mortals, therefore some of their gods had wings or could fly signifying their divine powers. Wings also represent a sort of freedom that man has always longed for, so it makes sense for the divine beings that men created to have the gift of flight.

Some pagan gods such as Hermes/Mercury had wings because they were specific to their function - i.e. a messenger.

The angels of God truly do have wings, we are told this in the scriptures (the "six winged cherubim"). The word "angel" means "messenger" although this is not the only way that angels serve God.

Neat question!

Answer 2

Isis is the Egyptian goddess of arch typical motherhood and isn't depicted with wings within that cultures particular pantheon. The Romans depicted her as basically the same. I've seen modern picture showing her with wings but she is actually a goddess not an angel.

Cupid or Amor is the god of love in the Roman pantheon. Has wings but not an angel.

Eros is the Greek god of love whom also has wings but isn't an angel.

Angels sprung from Judaism. They are messengers or sent ones to do/ guard things. Then some fell and took on a different nature from what they were created as. Zoroastrianism as well as Islam and Christianity are supposed to believe in angels. In Wicca there are said to be guardian angels and such... In the Bible some had wings others didn't some look like men some are rather unusual to our natural mind.

Answer 3

There were very early portrayals of angels without wings. The earliest portrayal of angels with wings came in an image known as the Prince's Sarcophagus. It was discovered near Istanbul in the 1930s and they worked out that the image was from around the years 379 - 395 - from this point on, almost every portrayal of an angel painted them with wings. It was said that the portrayal of angels with wings wasn't to say they had wings but to show the metaphor that they would be able to leave the heights and the most elevated dwelling to approach human nature.

Answer 4

If you actually read the Bible, angels are portrayed as being able to pass for human. There is no mention of them having wings. There are additional creatures in the spirit realm, such a cherubims which are said to have wings. But they are non-human in appearance, looking like animals. There are incidences of angels flying, but there is no actual mention of wings.

Because angels are known to fly, then are often drawn by artist as having wings. That is borrowed from nature and legends. But is not found in the Bible.

Kind of like the halo. Nowhere in the Bible does anyone have a halo, but they are added by artist to denote holiness. Wings are added to denote flight and speed.

Answer 5

Wings have often been used on mythological creatures to represent spiritual freedom. Angels were not the first to be described this way.

Answer 6

for the sumarians they were the messengers of the gods, much like the biblical angels. so it's borrowed, as the sumerians preceded the hebrews by at least 1700 years.
http://www.bibliotecapleyades.net/vida_alien/alien_watchers14.htm

Answer 7

Jill... you are scary... even to other pagans.