cherubim
Second-rank angels
Cherubim is the Hebrew plural of cherub, referring to angelic beings in Jewish and Christian tradition.
In biblical texts, cherubim are powerful celestial creatures who guard sacred spaces—notably the gates of Eden and the Ark of the Covenant—and appear in prophetic visions as winged beings with multiple faces.
Unlike the chubby winged infants that cherub now evokes in popular culture, the cherubim of scripture are awe-inspiring, even fearsome figures.
Winged child figures
- baroqueExcessively ornate or elaborate
- RenaissanceEuropean cultural reawakening
- frescoWet plaster painting technique
- sculptureShaped three-dimensional art
Raphael · Sistine · chubby · decorative · rococo · ceiling · altarpiece · iconography
Hebrew prophet in captivity
- EdenScriptural original paradise
- throneCeremonial chair for sovereigns
- GenesisFirst biblical book
- gloryExalted honor and praise
vision · prophet · mercy seat · tabernacle · temple · Isaiah · revelation · scripture
Topmost heavenly messenger
Having youthful innocence
- angelicDivinely pure and good
- pureUnmixed, without impurities
- sweetTasting of sugar
- rosy-cheekedHaving pink-tinged face
gentle · innocent · tender · wholesome · beatific · unblemished · guileless · adorable
Large rescue vessel
- EdenScriptural original paradise
- flaming swordWeapon wreathed in fire
- protectorOne who safeguards others
- watchfulCarefully attentive, observant
Supreme divine messengers
- GabrielHebrew name meaning divine strength
- MichaelHebrew name, divine comparison
- RaphaelRenaissance painter from Urbino
- thronesMonarchs' ceremonial chairs
dominions · virtues · powers · principalities · heavenly host · messenger · winged · celestial beings
putti
Winged child figures
- baroqueExcessively ornate or elaborate
- RenaissanceEuropean cultural reawakening
- frescoWet plaster painting technique
sculpture · Raphael · Sistine · chubby · decorative · rococo · ceiling · altarpiece · iconography · Bernini
Ezekiel
Hebrew prophet in captivity
glory · vision · prophet · mercy seat · tabernacle · temple · Isaiah · revelation · scripture · Old Testament
seraph
Topmost heavenly messenger
childlike
Having youthful innocence
rosy-cheeked · gentle · innocent · tender · wholesome · beatific · unblemished · guileless · adorable · dimpled
ark
Large rescue vessel
- EdenScriptural original paradise
- flaming swordWeapon wreathed in fire
- protectorOne who safeguards others
archangels
Supreme divine messengers
- GabrielHebrew name meaning divine strength
- MichaelHebrew name, divine comparison
- RaphaelRenaissance painter from Urbino
thrones · dominions · virtues · powers · principalities · heavenly host · messenger · winged · celestial beings · watchers
- Merkabah Mysticismdivine throne, Ezekiel, wheels within wheels, Metatron, throne room
- angelsarchangels, Michael, Gabriel, archangel, Raphael
- BibleOld Testament, New Testament, Holy Scriptures, Adam, Moses
- Christian loreAdam, Eve, Adam and Eve, Noah, Satan
- supernaturalghosts, ghost, witches, spirits, vampire
- supernatural beingsghost, demon, phantom, specter, banshee
cherubimseraphim
Supreme angelic order
archangels · thrones · dominions · angels · principalities