What Do Angels Look Like?

Throughout the years and regardless of your background, there is no doubt angels have been present within your life in one way or another. But how angels actually look remains a question that many are fascinated by. We turn to them for a number of reasons but most often for guidance and comfort in our lives. When we pray to or meditate with them, we may even sense their presence and feel like they’re listening. Many of us are familiar with the biblical angel depiction, but what would angels really look like today? In this blog we will explore what angels actually look like, answer questions such as ‘What do angels look like in the bible?’, and look at types of angelic representation in dreams.

What Are Angels?

Angels can very simply be described as pure spirits; a spiritual being of a higher power, that is without a physical human form. But many ask the question, ‘do angels look like humans?’ We think of angels in heaven, or even fallen angels, but when it comes to what angels really look like, each person will individually interpret their actual appearance from their own personal experience. 

Throughout history, angels have been painted and sculpted in many different forms but often haven’t been displayed to be as culturally sensitive to the reality in which they can take form. While commonly seen as a caucasian figure of a human with wings or as a rosy-cheeked cherub, do angels really look like this? The description of angels varies because they are spiritual beings that can quite simply take any form they wish. In my experience, they will appear in a way you will be most comfortable with. Not in a way that will most likely overwhelm you or make you feel fearful.

As angels don’t belong to any one religion, country or race, they often appear in front of the person with similar features to the person themselves. Skin tone, facial features or height often vary from one personal account to the next. Therefore, trying to define an accurate description of angels is dependent on each person’s experience. I’ve found that feeling the presence of an angel is often more gratifying than visually seeing them, believe it or not. When seen physically, a person can often feel overwhelmed, and this can take away from the experience of their presence itself.

I feel angels often have to get creative in their appearance to be a part of our lives. What angels really look like may not be as we imagine. They aspire to show us that they are there, but not to shock or intrude. This is why it’s not uncommon for them to appear in your dreams or for you to sense them during prayer or meditation. Seeing a feather that you weren’t expecting is a good example of them gently catching your attention. Angels play and if you see them in these small ways, as far as they are concerned they consider themselves seen!

From a religious perspective, biblical angels are shown to be majestic humans with beautiful sets of white wings. These images can range from angels appearing as fully grown adults to children and babies with wings. When we dive a little further into the Bible itself, it’s quite clear the descriptions of angels of God in the bible, and what angels actually looked like, are quite different to how they have been painted or sculpted. There are different types of angels in the Bible, each of them which have different roles of importance. Therefore, how they have been depicted and described has also changed vastly throughout the centuries.

Types Of Angels

Cherubim

The Cherubim are often the most recognizable as they have been painted and displayed throughout religions - Cherubim in modern times has been shortened to Cherub. They are often celebrated or displayed around our homes in ornaments and paintings. However, how they are displayed now is quite different to how they are described in religious text.

What does a cherubim angel look like? Often remarked as being animal-human living creatures that are known to have four different faces. These include a lion, ox, eagle and most famously as a human. They are formally known as the lowest rank among the four types of angels in scripture and have been given the duty of protecting and guarding the garden of Eden.

Malakim

The Malakim angel is third in rank amongst the four. They are also known to be the closest looking angels to humans in physical form as they aren’t mentioned to have wings at any stage throughout the Bible. The Malakim are simply known historically as messengers of God and are commonly known as guardian angels. Most well known are Archangel Michael, Archangel Gabriel and Archangel Raphael to name a few.

Seraphim

The Seraphim angel of God is an angel that is most known for surrounding the throne of God singing “holy, holy, holy”. The description of the Seraphim is quite different to that of the Malakim.The Seraphim angel’s appearance is described as a being having six wings, and they are known to be the second-highest in rank.

Ophanim

The Ophanim is known for catching attention due to its unusual description. They are described as being made of gold wheels that are interlocked with one another. The exterior of these rings is said to have multiple eyes surrounding each one. They are the angels in heaven that are formally known as the highest in rank with the duty of guarding God’s throne.

What Do Angels Look Like According To The Bible?

There are many modern ideas of what an angel actually looks like, but according to the bible, how do angels look? There are many excerpts that speak of angels, such as Matthew 28.1, Genesis 18 and Hebrews 1:14. The angel biblical depiction says that they were present at Jesus’ tomb, just one of the major events detailed in the Bible that they were said to be a part of. Let’s take a look at some direct excerpts that describe angels within the Old Testament:

Daniel 10:5-6

“Then I lifted up mine eyes, and looked, and behold a certain man clothed in linen, whose loins were girded with fine gold of Uphaz: His body also was like the beryl, and his face as the appearance of lightning, and his eyes as lamps of fire, and his arms and his feet like in colour to polished brass, and the voice of his words like the voice of a multitude.”

Isaiah 6:1-3

“In the year that king Uzziah died I saw also the Lord sitting upon a throne, high and lifted up, and his train filled the temple. Above it stood the seraphims: each one had six wings; with twain he covered his face, and with twain he covered his feet, and with twain he did fly. And one cried unto another, and said, Holy, holy, holy, is the Lord of hosts: the whole earth is full of his glory.”

Exploring Your Journey With The Angels

There is no doubt that angels are beautiful and grant daily comfort to millions of people around the world. If an angel appears in front of you, regardless of their appearance, it’s the feeling of their presence that confirms who they are. It can take time and patience to learn how to work with the angels so if you’d like support with exploring this further, beyond this blog post, then check out our spiritual coaching services.