What Angel and Demon really Means
A dirty, but long suppressed, truth
Both of these words ultimately have Greek and Latin origins derived from older sources. The usual bit in which Angel means Messenger and Demon means Evil Spirit is factually and historically false. In reality, demon as a term was more generic and terms "angels and devils" was more common and all classified as types of demons up until the 1500s CE. That being said, the linguist proofs are simple enough to clarify and easily found if one actually takes the time to look into it.
The term angel comes from the Greek roots and Angelos:
An- ("without, lacking").
Gelos ("yell, cheer, laughter, shout").
Rather than signifying benevolent beings of light, the word originally implied stern seriousness, evoking discomfort and even fear. The presence of angels in ancient narratives often induced panic or terror, rather than offering reassurance or joy. The evolution of this term is also linked to gēola, which developed into Yule—a festival associated with communal cheer and celebration—highlighting the linguistic shift over time as its base meaning is what evolved into Yell, and later association with gold and the Sun being the source f the development of the world Yellow and related associations.
The term demon originates from:
Dae ("shine").
Monos ("one").
In its earliest form, demons were shining celestial entities, associated with sources of light such as the Sun, Moon, stars, fire, and lightning. Their connection to divinity was similar to that of the Devas (male) and Devis (female) in Indian tradition. Additionally, the root Dei/Dae aligns with daylight terms such as Dag (day) and Dagan (days), reinforcing their positive, luminous nature rather than the later association with evil, and also the root of the words Deity and Deities, the masculine Deu and plural Deus, and the feminine Dea and plural Deae. In short, deities.
The word devil evolved from multiple linguistic variations, including:
Dēofol, Dafval, Diufal, Deuvil, and Devel.
Breaking down this etymology is a little more complex and while it is sometimes associated with words like Diablos, its a bit more specific to the base meaning of the word as outcast, as in one "thrown out" or "cut off." It shares origins with offal and evil, referring to discarded scraps, waste products, or things fallen away. The prefix De-, Te-, or Thi- was commonly used to indicate "the-", making its meaning "the fallen"—not necessarily in a moral sense but as castaways, outcasts, or forgotten individuals.
Historically, a devil was also a term of sympathy for the unfortunate outcasts of society in general or as a term for someone or something in a state of suffering, such as in phrases "poor devil." "Silly devil," implied a misfit rather than a malevolent force. Its connection to the Greek diablos ("thrown across") influenced later associations with an adversarial figure. Meanwhile, native equivalents such as utlog (outlaw) and utkast (outcast) further reinforce the original meaning—an exiled figure rather than an embodiment of pure evil.
So called Watchers
Those that have been dubbed Watchers are their own oddity. As a general rule, they don't seem to actually "do anything" but observe, though the fact of their "silent" observations give a sense of unease and even fear. Instinctively no one likes to be starred at by a stranger. The general consensus is they are entities that are outside of visible light so we can't see them and do not know what their actual forms or qualities are, yet they can look into our world at anytime they choose to do so. Watcher has come to be an imposed tern for those derived from Hebrew Irim/earlier Urim which are plurals of Ir/Ur meaning Light as in the name Uri-el (Light of El).
Because of being more or less described as "living and intelligent orbs of light" that can create an illusion of any form or remain entirely invisible, this light association became tied to Daemon/Demon as a hybrid concept of intentional misrepresentation and association with a class of entities from Hebrew sources that broke an unspoken cosmic law of producing hybrid superhumans as a result of taking on male forms and breeding with human women, and as a punishment were stripped of their "light" and turned into imprisoned shadows on and in the Earth (or so the myth goes and is designed to make a connection with the deities of prior and neighboring cultures and all the imposed nonsense that has transpired ever since). Consider more of the following:
Demonology: The Study of Divine and Spiritual Entities
Historically, demonology was not merely concerned with malevolent spirits. Instead, it was the study of all supernatural entities, including angelic beings.
In ancient Greek thought:
Both angels and demons could be benevolent, indifferent, or malevolent.
Demons were considered deities of secondary power.
The prefix Demi- was used to describe semi-divine beings, including half-human figures.
Angels, rather than being a distinct species, were originally a specific class of demons—a concept that contradicts many modern theological assumptions.
The Medieval Reinvention of Angelic Hierarchies
The structured angelic orders commonly referenced today—such as seraphim, cherubim, and archangels—are largely medieval inventions.
The theological development began:
In the 6th century CE, with Dionysius the Areopagite introducing hierarchical classifications.
In the 13th century, with Thomas Aquinas expanding these concepts.
Before these interpretations, the distinction between demonology and angelology did not exist. It wasn’t until 1663 that Gideon Harvey first used the term "Angelology." Originally, the word demon referred to old deities rather than explicitly evil beings. The medieval attempt to systematize celestial orders resulted in a nine-tiered hierarchy, aligned with Trinitarian thought, though the reasoning behind these classifications remains unclear.
Alternative Interpretations and Forgotten Orders
In some traditions, The One God is understood as the All-Father, the creator of everything. Similarly, the Three Goddesses represent natural forces and creation. When considering the hierarchy of supernatural entities:
The nine orders align with these foundational divine figures.
Some have intentionally tried to apply these to the concepts of the 9 realms of the World Tree concept.
Alternative interpretations allow for more nuanced roles among these beings.
Not all orders were originally called "angels"—this was a later misclassification.
Conclusion: Lost Meanings and Linguistic Evolution
Over centuries, theological shifts and cultural reinterpretations have transformed the meanings behind angels, demons, and devils.
Originally:
Angels were beings whose presence evoked fear and seriousness, not joy.
Demons were shining celestial entities, akin to divine figures rather than embodiments of evil.
Devils were castaways and outcasts, rather than figures of absolute malevolence.
The structured angelic hierarchies and classifications commonly accepted today are largely later inventions, shaped by medieval scholars rather than foundational religious texts. These linguistic and historical distortions illustrate how ideas about divinity, supernatural forces, and spiritual beings have evolved—sometimes in ways that contradict their original meanings.
Yes, they have distinctly male or female genders
Contrary to later theological claims that spiritual entities are androgynous, ancient texts and traditions consistently depict them as having distinct male or female genders. Just like humans and other earthly beings, these supernatural entities were understood to possess biological and gendered traits, often reflected in their appearances, roles, and interactions with the mortal world. The assertion that spiritual beings are "pure intellects" without gender is misleading and lacks historical basis. Many accounts describe their varied forms and species, reinforcing their diversity beyond the genderless constructs imposed by later interpretations.
The Origins of the Androgyny Claim
The shift toward depicting divine beings as genderless emerged primarily during the medieval period, influenced by theological efforts to separate holiness from physicality—particularly sexuality.
This doctrine was rooted in several factors:
Theological Fear of Sexuality – Sexual acts, even within marriage, became increasingly associated with sin in some traditions, leading to an avoidance of gender distinctions in divine beings.
Imposed Celibacy for Clergy – The insistence that priests remain celibate reinforced the idea that true holiness necessitated abstention from physical desires and gendered identity.
Distorted Views of "Gloried Bodies" – While many traditions spoke of immortal bodies free from sickness and decay, these bodies were originally understood as retaining their natural gender from birth.
Erasure of Gender in Divinity
Over time, religious traditions stripped divine beings—including God—of gendered attributes, ascribing an abstract, perfectionist ideology that removed personal or relational characteristics. In doing so, entire aspects of historical religious narratives were altered or suppressed, including references to God’s wives, familial structures, and divine relationships.
By eliminating gender distinctions in divine entities:
Celibacy was enforced as a path to holiness.
Priests were expected to suppress personal identity, treating their own gender as irrelevant.
Historical traditions about divine relationships were erased or dismissed is not completely reframed into perverse concepts.
This shift contributed to rigid theological perspectives, distancing spiritual entities from real-world human experience and diminishing the complexity of divine relationships found in early religious systems. Supernatural beings, whether angels, deities, or spirits, were traditionally understood as gendered entities, reflecting natural distinctions rather than artificial neutrality.
The claim that they are without gender stems from medieval distortions, influenced by fears of sexuality, celibacy enforcement, and perfectionist ideologies. Restoring the historical understanding of gendered spiritual beings provides a more authentic interpretation, aligning with ancient texts and cultural traditions rather than later imposed fictions.
These beings were not merely abstract forces—they embodied specific identities, genders, personalities and characteristics, just as all living things do. As such, the invented "orders" in the usual arrangements were based on their closeness to the Almighty and in opposition closest to humanity. What's neglected is this aligns as well to the concepts of the One God as the All Father and the Three Goddesses as the Great Mothers. The following Chart expresses this. Believe it or not. The choice is always yours alone.
Rather than viewing the Nine Divine Orders as purely angelic beings, their connection to the One God and the Three Goddesses suggests they serve a broader purpose. Their roles go beyond medieval classifications, offering a glimpse into ancient understandings of divine balance, transformation, and wisdom.
Instead of viewing the Nine Orders as angelic figures locked into theological hierarchy, understanding their broader divine purpose allows us to see them as essential forces shaping creation and existence. Their connection to the One God and the Three Goddesses highlights their ancient origins, revealing that they work in concert with natural, spiritual, and cosmic forces, rather than existing solely as messengers or warriors.
The Nine Divine Orders represent a broad spectrum of cosmic roles, governing balance, transformation, wisdom, and protection in both the divine and material realms. Their connection to the One God and the Three Goddesses establishes a spiritual framework that goes beyond medieval classifications. While all nine orders serve essential functions, only two—Angels and Archangels—are correctly identified as "angels" in the traditional sense.
The remaining seven orders fulfill distinct roles that do not align with the messenger-based definition of angels. Some govern natural forces, others oversee divine law, and some act as guardians of sacred knowledge. Across different cultures, these beings appear under varied names and representations, reinforcing their presence as universal forces rather than narrowly defined angelic figures.'
Their influence manifests in governance, transformation, protection, and celestial intervention, ensuring cosmic balance. Rather than rigidly adhering to medieval structures, recognizing their diverse roles and origins allows for a deeper understanding of divine operations beyond conventional theology.
The Terrifying Nature of Divine Beings
Rather than appearing as peaceful figures, many ranks within the Nine Divine Orders have historically been described in ways that evoke shock, fear, and reverence. Their forms and actions tend to disrupt the mortal realm, emphasizing divine authority and absolute power.
Thrones are described as massive, incomprehensible structures, often depicted as great celestial wheels covered in eyes, radiating an overpowering presence. However, if we consider the beings sitting upon those thrones, then it is also a reference to higher deities closer to the One and Three.
Seraphim, known as the "Burning Ones," embody flames so intense they consume all impurities, making their mere presence unbearable to witness.
Cherubim, rather than childlike figures, are often described as multi-faced beings with interwoven wings, evoking mystery and unease.
Powers, associated with natural forces, can manifest as giant entities responsible for storms, earthquakes, and cosmic shifts, terrifying those who witness their influence.
Archangels, as divine generals, are frequently depicted as warrior-commanders, leading legions into battle with unstoppable might.
Even the lower orders within the hierarchy—like Angels—were historically not gentle messengers but imposing guardians and enforcers of divine will. Many accounts describe interactions with these beings as overwhelming and deeply unsettling, emphasizing their supernatural strength rather than human-like kindness.
Their Corporeal Nature
Throughout history, divine beings within the Nine Orders have rarely been depicted as intangible, floating spirits. Instead, they were described as physical entities with flawless, perfected bodies—often referred to as glorified bodies, meaning incorruptible, free of illness, and immortal. This portrayal emphasized their tangible presence, distinguishing them from disembodied forces such as ghosts or abstract energies.
Glorified Bodies vs. Incorporeal Spirits
Unlike purely spectral beings, the divine orders were perceived as very real, structured entities, existing in a physical but perfected state:
They possessed weight and presence, exerting force and influence in their surroundings.
Their bodies were considered untouched by weakness, immune to sickness, aging, or decay.
Physical interactions were recorded between these beings and mortals, reinforcing their corporeal nature.
This is seen in various traditions where encounters with divine beings resulted in tangible effects—whether through physical combat, direct guidance, or overwhelming sensory experiences.
Encounters with Divine Beings as Terrifying Events
Rather than appearing as soft, gentle figures, most historical interactions (according to various religious texts and teachings, even before their inclusion into later monotheism) they were presented as significantly more powerful, more intelligent, physically flawless and generally immortal but terrifying beings whose presence alone are often described as unnerving and overwhelming.
Sometimes their descriptions range from human forms to such a degree one wouldn't be able to tell them apart from another human until they revealed their power, and though in later monotheistic sources they were typically mentioned primarily in terms of males, they were, even then not mild characters but very serious and duty oriented.
Furthermore, as has been shown, only two classes have ever been specifically associated as or called "Angels." They served as divine soldiers, protectors, and enforcers, appearing with swords, shields, and commanding presences. In addition, they were also, at least among some of these classes or orders, associated with specific roles of a less human-centric function such as maintaining cosmic harmonies of how the stars, planets and so on maintained their alignments which is another basis for their "celestial" and even seasonal associations, as well as the various forces and expressions of the powers of and over nature.