Description
An angel (Hebrew: מלאך; mal'ach, Arabic: ملاك; malak, Latin: angelus, Ancient Greek: ἄγγελος; ángelos) is a supernatural, intellectual being found in various (often monotheistic) religions. In Christianity, Islam, Judaism, and Zoroastrianism, angels, as attendants or protectors of humans, usually act as messengers of God (or the gods), from whom they are clearly distinct, and possess superhuman abilities and characteristics. In other religions, supernatural beings are sometimes compared to angels, because they share some characteristics with angels and are considered angelic. The word angel comes from the Greek ἄγγελος, ángelos, meaning "messenger." The Hebrew word for angel is מלאך, mal'ach, which also means "messenger." The Arabic word ملاك, malak, is etymologically related. The term "angel" itself does not denote a divine being. For example, the author of the last book of the Old Testament is referred to as "Malachi"—"my messenger," and the leaders of the seven churches in the Book of Revelation are called "aggeloo." Angels can take any physical form. In the Christian tradition, angels often have a perfectly human appearance, usually that of a young man, although angels are asexual. In biblical stories, angels are sometimes not initially recognized as such by humans. See, for example, Genesis 18 (where the identity of the visitors is revealed only later), and Judges 13:21 (where the visitor makes an impression but is only recognized as an angel upon his departure). This is also mentioned in Islam: for example, Muhammad, upon the appearance of the archangel Gabriel, thought he was dealing with a jinn. Sometimes angels also appear in the form of a fearsome and light-emitting being, and their appearance is almost physically unbearable for humans. Angels are usually depicted—in art and on icons, for example—as beings with wings. This is understandable, after all, they must maintain a connection with heaven. Yet, there are no texts in the Bible or in Jewish scriptures in which angels, when delivering a message, have such an appearance; Jacob, for example, saw angels descend from heaven using a (Jacob's) ladder. This is different with angels proclaiming the greatness of God, as in Isaiah 6 (seraphim with six wings) and Ezekiel 1 (beings with four wings). In the Quran, the first verse of Surah 35, "The Founder" (فاطر), does state that angels have wings "two, three, and four." The way angels are depicted is largely based on convention: angels, supernatural and incorporeal beings, cannot be accurately depicted to humans. In the tradition of Orthodox Christianity, cherubim are often referred to as "many-eyed" and seraphim as "six-winged," although they do have human form. This aligns with what we read about seraphim in Isaiah 6. In iconography, seraphim are depicted as six-winged, flaming beings, covering their faces and legs with their wings in awe of God's majesty.
Lapis lazuli, or lapis lazuli, is an opaque semi-precious stone with an intense azure-blue color. It is not a mineral but a rock, as it consists of more than one component. It is mainly mined in Afghanistan. The main component of lapis lazuli is lazurite (25% to 40%), a feldspathoid with the chemical formula (Na,Ca)8(AlSiO4)6(S,SO4,Cl)1-2.[1] Other important components are: calcite (white), sodalite (blue), and pyrite (yellow – metallic luster). Lapis lazuli can also contain the minerals augite, diopside, enstatite, micas, hauynite, hornblende, geyerite (a sulfur-rich variety of lollingite), and nosean. Lapis lazuli is not particularly hard for a gemstone. On the Mohs scale, its hardness is 5.5, meaning the stone can easily be scratched by harder gemstones. Therefore, it is unwise to store lapis lazuli jewelry together with harder gemstones. Alternative healers attribute spiritual powers to lapis lazuli. Lapis lazuli is usually formed through contact metamorphism in crystalline marble. Lapis lazuli has been known since antiquity. It was already being traded in the city of Ur as early as 4000 BC. It was one of the commodities of the trade between Sumer, Dilmun, and Melukha. It was also highly prized in ancient Egypt. For example, it was used for Tutankhamun's death mask. Demand was so high throughout the Middle East that imitations were being made as early as the 13th century BC. For example, cylinder seals from King Annipi and his father Adummu, dyed a dark blue with the help of cobalt salts, are known from the city of Sidon. Lapis lazuli was also used in ground form as a blue dye (ultramarine), which was also very popular in Renaissance painting.
