The concept of angels as divine messengers is often associated with the Abrahamic religions, but the origins of these celestial beings extend far back into ancient civilizations. Mesopotamia, Egypt, and Persia, some of the world’s oldest cultures, had their own understanding of divine intermediaries—beings who acted as messengers, protectors, and guides between the divine realm and the human world. These ancient angels, while not always referred to as “angels” in the modern sense, played crucial roles in shaping the early spiritual frameworks of these regions.
In this article, we’ll explore the role of angelic figures in Mesopotamian, Egyptian, and Persian traditions, delving into how these beings influenced later religious thought.
Mesopotamian Angels: The Divine Watchers and Intermediaries
The ancient civilizations of Mesopotamia, including the Sumerians, Akkadians, Assyrians, and Babylonians, had rich mythologies filled with divine beings who acted as intermediaries between the gods and humans. These beings were not always called “angels” but fulfilled similar roles.
The Igigi: Watchers and Lesser Gods
In Mesopotamian mythology, the Igigi were a group of celestial beings often described as lesser gods. They were responsible for performing laborious tasks on behalf of the higher gods, particularly the Anunnaki, who were the most powerful deities in Mesopotamian lore. These celestial beings served as watchers and intermediaries, observing the affairs of humanity and maintaining order.
Interestingly, the Igigi share similarities with the concept of the Watchers from the Book of Enoch, who were tasked with observing humanity but later rebelled. In the Epic of Atrahasis, a key Mesopotamian myth, the Igigi rebel against the higher gods due to their harsh labor conditions, mirroring the themes of rebellion and divine order found in later angelic stories.
Lamashtu and Pazuzu: Protectors with Angelic Traits
While not exactly angels in the benevolent sense, the figures of Lamashtu and Pazuzu are examples of beings that performed protective roles, much like later guardian angels. Lamashtu was a demoness feared for harming infants and mothers, but certain rituals invoked Pazuzu, a demon-like figure with protective traits, to ward her off. Though these beings were more aligned with protective spirits than angels, their roles in guarding against evil resemble the protective nature of angels in later religious traditions.
Shamash: The Solar Deity and Divine Justice
Shamash, the god of the sun and justice, often used messengers to communicate his will to humans. These divine messengers would travel between the heavens and earth, bringing light, justice, and guidance to humanity. Though they were not called angels, the function of Shamash’s messengers closely parallels that of later angelic figures who acted as agents of divine justice and order.
Egyptian Angels: Messengers of the Gods and Spiritual Guides
Ancient Egypt’s religious system was a complex web of gods, goddesses, and lesser divine beings who worked as intermediaries between the gods and humans. These divine beings often took on protective or guiding roles, similar to angels in later traditions.
The Ba and Ka: Spiritual Aspects of the Soul
In Egyptian mythology, the Ba and Ka represented two essential aspects of the human soul. The Ka was considered the life force or essence, while the Ba was the personality that could travel between the realms of the living and the dead. After death, the Ba would often visit the living or travel to the afterlife, guided by divine messengers.
While not angels in the conventional sense, these aspects of the soul were sometimes accompanied by beings similar to spiritual guides, acting as protectors or helping the soul navigate the afterlife. The concept of spiritual guardianship and guidance echoes the later role of guardian angels in monotheistic religions.
The Shabti: Servants in the Afterlife
In ancient Egypt, Shabti figurines were placed in tombs to act as servants in the afterlife, often considered to be imbued with divine energy. These figures were thought to perform tasks for the deceased in the afterlife, much like how angels are believed to assist humans in life and death. Although more symbolic, the role of the Shabti as helpers and protectors suggests early ideas of spiritual assistance that angels would later fulfill.
Winged Deities and Protectors
Many Egyptian deities, such as Isis, were depicted with wings, symbolizing their divine protection. The imagery of winged beings guarding humans is prevalent in Egyptian art and closely resembles the later iconography of angels. Isis, in particular, was often shown spreading her wings to protect the dead, similar to how guardian angels are depicted as protectors of human souls.
Persian Angels: The Divine Messengers in Zoroastrianism
Zoroastrianism, the ancient religion of Persia, provides one of the clearest links to the development of angelic figures that would later influence Judaism, Christianity, and Islam. Zoroastrianism emphasized the battle between good and evil, with divine beings playing crucial roles in guiding humanity toward righteousness.
Amesha Spentas: The Holy Immortals
In Zoroastrian belief, the Amesha Spentas were a group of divine beings or “Holy Immortals” who served as extensions of Ahura Mazda, the supreme god. These beings were not only divine aspects of creation but also acted as intermediaries, guiding and protecting humanity. Each of the Amesha Spentas governed different elements of life, such as truth, justice, and health, similar to how archangels in later religions are associated with specific virtues or areas of influence.
Spenta Mainyu, the divine spirit of Ahura Mazda, represents good thought and serves as a protector of humanity against the forces of evil. Asha Vahishta, the spirit of truth and order, is associated with justice and righteousness, acting as a divine enforcer of cosmic balance.
The Amesha Spentas are often seen as precursors to angels, both in terms of their protective roles and their governance over different aspects of life.
Fravashi: Guardian Spirits
The Fravashi were guardian spirits in Zoroastrianism, believed to protect individuals throughout their lives and guide their souls in the afterlife. The Fravashi accompany humans from birth to death, offering protection and divine guidance, much like later guardian angels. Zoroastrians invoke the Fravashi for protection in battle and daily life, and these beings play an essential role in rituals.
Conclusion: The Origins of Angelic Beings in Ancient Traditions
Though the term “angel” is most closely associated with Abrahamic religions, the concept of divine messengers and protectors is much older and more widespread. In Mesopotamia, Egypt, and Persia, we find numerous examples of beings who acted as intermediaries between the divine and human realms, offering protection, guidance, and wisdom.
These ancient figures laid the foundation for the later development of angels as we know them today. The Igigi, Ka, Fravashi, and other divine beings served roles similar to those of angels—guarding humanity, delivering divine messages, and maintaining cosmic order. By exploring these ancient traditions, we gain a deeper understanding of how the angelic figures we recognize today evolved from earlier beliefs and practices.
Mesopotamian watchers, Egyptian winged deities, and Persian holy immortals all show that celestial beings assisting humanity are deeply rooted in the world’s spiritual history.