Nine Choirs of Angels
The traditional Christian hierarchy of nine angelic orders arranged in three triads, a system that strongly influenced medieval and later sacred imagery.
Angelology
The theology, hierarchy, iconography, attributes, and sculptural representation of angels in Christian sacred art.
Guardian Angel
An angel represented as the personal protector and guide of an individual, commonly shown accompanying or shielding a child or traveler.
Adoring Angel
A devotional angelic figure shown kneeling, bowing, praying, or otherwise directing reverence toward an altar, Eucharistic tabernacle, crucifix, or holy figure.
Censing Angel
An angel shown swinging or holding a censer, linking heavenly worship with the liturgical use of incense.
Angel
A spiritual messenger represented in Christian art as a humanlike heavenly being, conventionally winged and frequently used in architectural, devotional, and funerary sculpture.
Angelology
The theological and philosophical study of angels—their nature, orders, functions, and relationship to God and humanity.
Cherub
The Baroque cherub head, ubiquitous on Catholic altarpieces and tombs, is visually a classical putto — theologically it borrows the name of a far more austere angelic order.