Angels and Guardians

Belief in angels forms a major part of modern folklore. Folklore about angels is influenced by a variety of cultural factors, and angels are a commercial winner, popping up in ads for cream cheese, bubble bath, and fabric softener. The angel is most often portrayed as young, white, Aryan, and sexless. The term “angel” is often used by people to describe someone who has helped them, especially in a time of need or crisis.

Angels are sustained by folk belief – those who die young are sometimes labelled as angels, with the suggestion that they have passed to the ranks of the immortal and innocent. They are significant in Jewish, Christian, and Islamic religion: angels intervene to stop Abraham from sacrificing his son Isaac; the Angel Gabriel appears to Mary at Nazareth, and to Muhammad at Mecca; Mormons believe that the Angel Moroni helped Joseph Smith to unearth golden tablets in Manchester, New York, thus founding the religion.

Angels on a stained glass window

Stained glass windows depicting angels can be seen in many churches today.

Angels on a stained glass window

Angels on a stained glass window

Stained glass windows depicting angels can be seen in many churches today.

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Many people believe that they have a guardian angel, one who watches over and protects them. In the same vein, some people believe that the spirit of a loved one who has died stays with them and watches over them. Notably, many secular people who would describe themselves as atheist, or as having no religion, appear to believe in this sense of presence (see Bennett, 1985). Tara*, aged 33, was reared by her parents without any religion, any does not personally believe the idea of a “higher power” or the teachings of the Bible: