We know angels and archangels
from the Bible, such as Michael, Gabriel, and even Satan. Yet, we find
from ancient Near Eastern cities sculptures depicting winged creatures,
which had been made long before the Hebrews wrote down God's words in Babylonia.
The idea of flying spirits or winged creatures have facinated artists and
poets for centuries, but modern scholars argue that there could be a certain
people, being far advanced than the other human beings in their time, living
and expanding from Egypt to places nearby, bringing to the world knowledge
and technology that could not have begun or developed so quickly to form
any civilizations in thousands of years ago. And the mystery is further
shrouded by ancient myths and rituals, and particularly by shamanism, where
priests dressed up with feathers, imitating a people whose exact identity
were lost among mortals through time.
These are just some ideas
being heated up recently. I have just deleted the junk I was about to put
here concerning angels and the Bible, but I know it is too boring to have
anything to do with CLAMP's angel story. I must say that CLAMP is good
at creating "laws" for every story they have made up, which are like the
Egyptian "Maat" (law/order of the universe). In Wish,
angels:
born out of eggs from a big
tree in Heaven
cannot eat or hurt living things
needs only fresh air and sunshine
to refresh themselves
have wings that will glow and
respond to other angels
must change into chibi form
during the night in human world if they are not well-trained
have hougan
symbols will appear on their
foreheads when they use hougan
communicate with God by means
of a Usyagi
cannot leave Heaven without
God's permission
archangels leaving Heaven on
their own will be dethroned after three months, and expelled from Heaven
after four seasons
impossible to fall into
deep sleep with their hougan
whereas demons:
human souls are their favourite
food, but they can also consume normal food as well
are particularly attracted to
humans whose souls are going to leave their bodies (dying)
have black wings of feathers
(unlike the bats!)
must change into chibi form
during the day in human world if they are not well-trained
symbols will appear on their
foreheads when they use hougan
only the heir to the Devil's
throne are allowed to learn the secret language of the Devil
a member of royalty will
give his left eye to to his "wife" as a gift of love
Also, there are other
laws observed by both sides:
cannot fight at the Bridge
only the Devil is allowed to
see God and His archangels
angels cannot enter Hell while
demons cannot go to Heaven
their power would become
not as strong as they would be in Heaven or Hell
But, hey! It looks like CLAMP
has made the Devil and his subjects be almost equal to God and His angels!
Oh well, let God deal with them for polluting our minds. ^_^
Meanwhile, I have prepared some
images of angels drawn by artists in the past. Somehow I believe that CLAMP
must have been inspired by drawings like these too. Yet, these are drawings
common in everywhere nowadays. (Thanks for the techonology of photography
and laser printers.)
The
Annunciation c. 1489-90 by Andro Botticelli
(1445-1510) This is Gabriel informing
Mary that she will begot a son from God. Notice that this angel is holding
the lilies of purity and around him is a transparent scarf. Hmm, what does
it remind you of?
Innocence,
1890 by William Bouguereau
(1825-1905) Got a poster/calender/postcard
of this picture? Still, I think chibi Kohaku and Kouryuu will do better
than those two. ^_^
Saint
Michael 1540-46 Fresco by Agnolo Bronzino
(1503-1572) I love the blue colour
in this picture. This one is Michael threatening the Devil. Look! The golden
tresses of the angel is falling one side of the shoulders! Have CLAMP seen
this one before they started drawing Kohaku? By the way, the guy is not
actually wearing an armour. Look carefully for yourself.
The
Three Archangels and Tobias, c.1470 by Francesco Botticini
(c.1446-1497) Michael, Gabriel and
Raphael. Not Touki, Ranshou and Ryuuri. So, CLAMP cannot claim credits
for the trio of archangels this time.
The
Ecstasy of Saint Teresa, 1645-52 by Gianlorenzo
Bernini (1598-1680) Ouch! What is the
arrow doing in the angel's hand? Why on earth do sculptors want to make
marble look like people and clothes? However, the wings of the angel aren't
as pretty as the marble torso... Oops, forgot that we aren't having an
art class here. Sorry!
Angels
Watching over the Tomb of Christ, c. 1806 by William Blake
(1757-1827) The two angels pose
like a pair of hands in prayer. Reminds me of CLAMP's character using hougan
or magic. ^_^ As for the artist, you should know who William Blake is if
you read Anne Rice's novels. (Is it?) Anyway, he was also a poet who like
to write about God and the Devil.
Love's
Passing, 1883-84 Evelyn De Morgan
(1855-1919) You think you like
red and love so you will enjoy this picture, eh? But look! Death is holding
his scythe at the background, waiting to pull apart the love birds.
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