The Angel Companion Book

Angels are mysterious beings. They have appeared to people of all faiths, to those who believe in them and to those who don't. Although belief in them is experiencing a revival, many of us would be hard-pressed to say much about them. Luckily, there is plenty of established angel lore.

The Angel Companion is a treasure trove of such esoteric information. Nigel Suckling explores and disseminates the theories and beliefs behind the concept of the winged messenger. He delves into the world of angels, from cherubs and guardian angels, to angels of the nativity and the fallen angels that so besotted Milton and Blake, exploring how the imagery reflects belief. Hebrew, Gnostic and folk traditions are the source of much angelic belief, and it is revealed here how angels came to play such a crucial role in scripture and early Christian thought.

Angels have been a wonderful source of inspiration for artists through the ages, and this book is superbly illustrated with classic paintings and engravings from ancient, medieval, Renaissance and post-Renaissance times. Such artistic riches are combined with illuminating prose in this sublime companion.