Angel Tattoos Ideas and Meanings

Angel tattoo designs, in most cases, have very special, deep personal meanings to the people who wear them. They can have purely spiritual and religious meaning to people or have many other meanings when combined with other designs, names and symbols.
Origins and meanings
The word Angel has a Latin origin, meaning messenger of God. There are three Choirs, or Spheres, each of a different rank and each Choir has three types of angels, each with a different duty. Their main role is to be messengers of God and to watch over us. Other roles involve being guards over the realm between heaven and earth, providing wisdom and good fortune and most notably, protection. They have universal appeal as they are depicted in the Christian, Islamic and Jewish religions, cutting across religious borders. The main types used for tattoos include guardian angels and fallen angels. I will look at the meaning of each.
Guardian Angels
It is said that your Guardian Angel is with you when you enter into this world, with you when you leave, and guides you through life in between. They are believed to be sent by God to protect mortal individuals during their time on this earth. They are in the form of humans with large wings, depicted as loving and protecting figures. Quite often they are shown in glowing or shining form, floating, looking down, as if watching over someone or something, in a protective manner. Some people wear this body art design to signify the connection with their Guardian angel, or a connection with a higher being.
Fallen Angels
Another take on this design is the fallen angel tattoo. The fallen angel has been thrown out of heaven as punishment. It is said that a group of rebellious angels came to earth to mix with mortals. As punishment, they were banished from heaven and roam the earth until judgment day. They are usually depicted as looking upwards with their face covered, sometimes with a broken wing. Some people have a fallen angel tattoo to depict their bad streak, or show off their rebellious side.
Combined Meanings
Taking the angel design and combining it with other designs is a great way to personalize your body art. For example using wings alone as your design represents freedom and rising above problems, feeling elevated and alive. The designs are also popular as a memorial. Combining the angel design with a name, or having the face of the person as the angel's face allows people to make a permanent tribute to someone close. You can't get anymore personal than that.
Designs
Angel tattoos are so popular because they can have such a personal meaning to the wearer and they look so appealing. Combine that with beautiful wings and striking colors and you have a tat to be proud of. The design can take many forms and it is common to combine hearts, flowers, crosses and many other symbols. The style can also cut across tattoo genres, such as a tribal angel tattoo, giving a unique appearance and meaning.