Cherub vs. Angel: Know the Difference
By Hifza Nasir & Dua Fatima || Updated on March 3, 2024
Cherubs are a specific type of angel, often depicted as innocent children, whereas angels are spiritual beings serving various roles in religious texts.
Key Differences
Cherubs represent a particular class within the angelic hierarchy, traditionally portrayed as young children or babies with wings, symbolizing purity and innocence. While angels, in a broader sense, are spiritual messengers and servants of God across various religions, depicted in many forms and assigned different tasks, from delivering messages to offering protection.
Hifza Nasir
Mar 03, 2024
The depiction of cherubs as chubby, winged infants is a Renaissance interpretation, diverging from their original biblical representation as powerful creatures with multiple wings and faces. In contrast, angels are typically depicted as matures with majestic wings, signifying their role as God's messengers and warriors, without the specific attributes assigned to cherubs.
Hifza Nasir
Mar 03, 2024
Cherubs have a specific symbolic role, often associated with love, innocence, and guardianship in artistic and cultural contexts. Whereas angels serve a wider array of functions across religious texts, including acting as protectors, guides, and executors of divine will, highlighting their versatile roles in spiritual narratives.
Hifza Nasir
Mar 03, 2024
In theological discussions, cherubs are considered to be closer to God, sometimes depicted as guarding the throne of God or sacred spaces. On the other hand, angels are dispatched to the earthly realm to interact with humans, deliver God’s messages, and execute His commands, illustrating their active engagement with the human world.
Dua Fatima
Mar 03, 2024
Cherubs are a subset of angels with specific characteristics and roles, the term "angel" encompasses a broader range of divine servants, each with unique duties and representations in religious traditions.
Dua Fatima
Mar 03, 2024
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Comparison Chart
Definition
A specific type of angel, often depicted as children.
Spiritual beings serving as messengers and servants of God.
Hifza Nasir
Mar 03, 2024
Depiction
Traditionally young children or babies with wings.
Usually depicted as young with majestic wings.
Dua Fatima
Mar 03, 2024
Symbolism
Innocence, love, guardianship.
Divine messages, protection, execution of God’s will.
Dua Fatima
Mar 03, 2024
Roles
Guarding sacred spaces, close to God.
Messengers, protectors, guides, among other roles.
Hifza Nasir
Mar 03, 2024
Theological Position
Considered closer to God in the hierarchy.
Varied roles across the earthly and heavenly realms.
Hifza Nasir
Mar 03, 2024
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Cherub and Angel Definitions
Cherub
A type of angel depicted as a winged child, symbolizing innocence.
The painting featured cherubs floating around a sacred scene.
Hifza Nasir
Mar 03, 2024
Angel
Spiritual beings acting as God’s messengers.
The angel Gabriel delivered the message to Mary.
Hifza Nasir
Mar 03, 2024
Cherub
In theology, beings that guard sacred spaces.
Cherubs are described as guardians of the Garden of Eden.
Hifza Nasir
Mar 03, 2024
Angel
Serve various roles, from guidance to protection.
Angels are often called upon for protection in prayers.
Shumaila Saeed
Mar 03, 2024
Cherub
Distinguished by their childlike appearance from other angels.
Unlike the towering archangels, cherubs are portrayed as innocent children.
Dua Fatima
Mar 03, 2024
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Angel
Depicted as majestic beings with wings.
Medieval art shows angels with large, feathered wings.
Shumaila Saeed
Mar 03, 2024
Cherub
Often associated with love and affection in art.
Cherubs in Renaissance art often symbolize romantic love.
Hifza Nasir
Mar 03, 2024
Angel
Encompass a broad category within the heavenly hierarchy.
The term angel refers to all of God’s heavenly servants, including cherubs and seraphim.
Hifza Nasir
Mar 03, 2024
Cherub
Represents purity and divine watchfulness.
A statue of a cherub was placed at the shrine as a symbol of protection.
Hifza Nasir
Mar 03, 2024
Angel
Involved in human affairs as per divine will.
Angels appeared to the shepherds to announce the birth of Jesus.
Shumaila Saeed
Mar 03, 2024
Angel
A representation of such a being, especially in Christianity, conventionally in the image of a human figure with a halo and wings.
Hifza Nasir
Oct 19, 2023
Cherub
An artistic depiction of such a being, typically in the form of a winged child or a child's head with wings but no body.
Hifza Nasir
Oct 19, 2023
Angel
Angels(Christianity) The last of the nine orders of angels in medieval angelology. From the highest to the lowest in rank, the orders are
Seraphim, cherubim, thrones, dominations or dominions, virtues, powers, principalities, archangels, and angels.
Hifza Nasir
Oct 19, 2023
Cherub
(figuratively) A person, especially a child, seen as being particularly angelic or innocent.
Hifza Nasir
Oct 19, 2023
Angel
A spiritual, celestial being, superior to man in power and intelligence. In the Scriptures the angels appear as God's messengers.
O, welcome, pure-eyed Faith, white-handed Hope,Thou hovering angel, girt with golden wings.
Hifza Nasir
Oct 19, 2023
Cherub
A symbolical winged figure of unknown form used in connection with the mercy seat of the Jewish Ark and Temple.
Hifza Nasir
Oct 19, 2023
Cherub
A beautiful child; - so called because artists have represented cherubs as beautiful children.
Hifza Nasir
Oct 19, 2023
Angel
A typically benevolent celestial being that acts as an intermediary between heaven and earth, especially in Christianity, Judaism, Islam, and Zoroastrianism.
Hifza Nasir
Oct 19, 2023
Cherub
Cherubim(Christianity) The second of the nine orders of angels in medieval angelology.
Hifza Nasir
Oct 19, 2023
Cherub
(biblical) A winged creature attending God, described by Pseudo-Dionysius the Areopagite (short=yes) as the second highest order of angels, ranked above thrones and below seraphim; similar to a lamassu in the pre-exilic texts of the Hebrew Bible, more humanoid in later texts.
Hifza Nasir
Oct 19, 2023
Angel
(Abrahamic tradition) One of the lowest order of such beings, below virtues.
Hifza Nasir
Oct 19, 2023
Cherub
A mysterious composite being, the winged footstool and chariot of the Almighty, described in Ezekiel i. and x.
I knew that they were the cherubim.
He rode upon a cherub and did fly.
Hifza Nasir
Oct 19, 2023
Cherub
One of a order of angels, variously represented in art. In European painting the cherubim have been shown as blue, to denote knowledge, as distinguished from the seraphim (see Seraph), and in later art the children's heads with wings are generally called cherubs.
Hifza Nasir
Oct 19, 2023
Cherub
An angel of the second order whose gift is knowledge; usually portrayed as a winged child
Hifza Nasir
Oct 19, 2023
Repeatedly Asked Queries
What roles do angels play?
Angels serve multiple roles, including delivering messages from God, offering protection and guidance to humans, and executing divine commands.
Hifza Nasir
Mar 03, 2024
Can cherubs be considered angels?
Yes, cherubs are considered a specific class within the angelic hierarchy, with their own roles and symbolism.
Hifza Nasir
Mar 03, 2024
What is a cherub?
A cherub is a specific type of angel often depicted as a child with wings, representing innocence and guardianship.
Dua Fatima
Mar 03, 2024
Why are cherubs depicted as children?
The depiction of cherubs as children, particularly in Renaissance art, symbolizes innocence and divine love, a contrast to their more powerful and majestic portrayal in biblical texts.
Shumaila Saeed
Mar 03, 2024
How do cherubs and angels interact with humans?
Cherubs are less frequently described interacting directly with humans, often associated more with guarding sacred spaces, while angels are commonly depicted delivering messages and offering guidance and protection to people.
Dua Fatima
Mar 03, 2024
Can anyone have a guardian angel?
Many religious beliefs hold that each individual has a guardian angel assigned to protect and guide them.
Shumaila Saeed
Mar 03, 2024
Are all angels depicted with wings?
While many depictions of angels include wings to symbolize their divine nature and ability to move between heaven and earth, not all traditions or texts explicitly describe them as winged.
Hifza Nasir
Mar 03, 2024
Do all religions view cherubs and angels the same way?
Different religions and denominations have varying interpretations of cherubs and angels, including their roles and appearances.
Hifza Nasir
Mar 03, 2024
How are angels perceived in popular culture?
In popular culture, angels are often seen as benevolent, protective forces, though interpretations can vary widely.
Shumaila Saeed
Mar 03, 2024
How are angels different from cherubs?
Angels are spiritual beings serving various roles in religious texts, whereas cherubs are a subset of angels, traditionally symbolizing purity and often depicted as children.
Hifza Nasir
Mar 03, 2024
Can angels intervene in human affairs?
According to many beliefs, angels can intervene in human affairs, offering protection, guidance, and sometimes punishment.
Dua Fatima
Mar 03, 2024
What is the significance of angels in religious texts?
Angels signify the presence and intervention of the divine in the world, acting as messengers and executors of God's will.
Hifza Nasir
Mar 03, 2024
Are cherubs involved in biblical stories?
Cherubs are mentioned in the Bible, notably guarding the Garden of Eden and adorning the Ark of the Covenant.
Hifza Nasir
Mar 03, 2024
What is the role of archangels?
Archangels are high-ranking angels with specific duties, such as leadership roles among angels and direct tasks from God.
Dua Fatima
Mar 03, 2024
Do cherubs and angels only belong to Christian theology?
While prominent in Christian theology, cherubs and angels also appear in Jewish, Islamic, and other religious traditions.
Hifza Nasir
Mar 03, 2024
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About Author
Written by
Hifza Nasir
Co-written by
Dua Fatima
Shumaila Saeed
Hifza Nasir
