The Angel is a spiritual being created by God. The word angel comes from a Greek word meaning "messenger" or "one who is sent." Angles have been depicted throughout history as God's messengers and soldiers. They delivered His word and carried out His punishments upon mankind.
History
Angels also serve as the guardians of individuals and nations. The world's three biggest religions (Christianity, Judaism, and Islam) mention Angels throughout their holy texts. The Angels are viewed as the link between Heaven and Earth and believed to be a gift from God for our safety, protection and guidance.
In many ways, the Angels are depicted as winged creatures hovering over the earth to provide protection against evil elements against mankind.
Guardian Angels
Guardian angels are believed to be the protectors of humanity in times of crisis. These guardian angels are often shown holding or watching over the children.
In fact, David Beckham, the England captain and star footballer (soccer player) said in his recent autobiography, about the significance of his Angel tattoo on his upper back, "I like the feeling that my sons are with me even when I'm away from home. And not just in my heart. I had their names tattooed on my back after each one was born. There's a guardian angel there, too, looking after them both."
Archangels
The Archangels are the seven Angels that stood before God in the Revelations. These Angels are the closest to God in the heavenly order. The Archangels are the divine messengers between the humans and God. They are the battlers of the Sons of Darkness. The most famous of the seven Archangels is Michael. Michael is believed to have led the battle against Lucifer (another Archangel) in the great rebellion. Michael is usually depicted in body armor, holding a large sword, with wings out swept in readiness.
Cherubs
Cherubs are the bringer of love. A good example is Cupid uses his bow and arrow to shoot through the hearts of unwarned people which makes them fall in love with one another. This is why an arrow through the heart usually accompanies these angel tattoos. Frequently, the name of a loved one is also added to the Cupid tattoo.
Fallen Angels
Fallen angels are symbolic of the epic battle between God and Lucifer, symbolizing a fall from Grace. Believers in the Judeo-Christian theology say that when Lucifer and his army of the dark angels were defeated and thrown out of Heaven, these angels were said to have fallen into the burning depth of the earth.
The typical fallen Angel tattoo usually pictured as a menacing looking angel, with a bloody sword in his hand. Other fallen angels are depicted with torn or injured wings, or even with 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.
Popularity
Angel tattoos are among the most popular tattoo designs for men and women alike. Angel tattoos are attractive because they represent peace, beauty, good sense, exemplary morals, and spirituality.
An angel tattoo on a woman signifies that she looks inward towards her soul to find her purest sense of self. She is divine and often patient, and her presence is a gift. She protects herself but also others, and finds that sometimes beauty lies in confidence. And the wearer of the angel tattoo has the belief she does not settle for something less and goes where she is needed
For a man, an angel tattoo can be symbolic of many things. Men who wear angel tattoos are often very fond of women. They often choose a sexy angel to represent their masculinity. These men choose angel tattoos to announce that they have an woman who is the Angel in their life. It is a popular choice for men who feel strongly about a particular woman, though that is not always the case. Most commonly worn on true bad boys and cowboys, the men who have them will swear by these tattoos, saying that they help them pick up women.
Celebrities
* Drew Barrymore is tattooed with her own personal gallery of body art. One of her tattoo is an Angel.
* Alyssa Milano from the T.V. Series, "Charmed," has a tattoo with Angels in her designs.* Fred Durst of Limp Bizkit has several different tattoo images including an Angel.
* Amy Wesson, a supermodel has an Angel tattoo on her lower back
Angel tattoos are thought to reflect the wearer's personal relationship with God, whether it is solid or estranged, so be sure to choose your design with care!
Becky McClure believes that the most important word after you make the decision to get inked is “Patience!” Pick the right tattoo design. Pick the right location on you. And pick the best artist you can find for your new body art.
