Though the popular notion of an angel is that of a celestial, vaguely human being with improbably bird-like wings, the original word in [[Hebrew]] is best translated as "messenger"; thus, it is possible that many of the angels featuring in the [[Torah]] were meant to be mortal human beings doing God's work, rather than an actual supernatural manifestation ''per se.'' Of course this is not always the case such as when an angel calls to [[Hagar]] "from heaven".<ref>Genesis 21:17</ref>
Two angels are mentioned by name in the [[Bible]]: [[Michael the Archangel]] and [[Gabriel]]. [[Catholic]] and [[Orthodox Church|Orthodox]] tradition in the [[Book of Tobit]] also mentions [[Raphael (the angel)|Raphael]] by name. A popular belief associated with the Anglican church are the rangks of angles. With Gabriel as the leader and St michael as his right hand man.
In pictures angels are usually depicted as very beautiful creatures with golden hair, wings and long robes making them appear feminine. In contrast pictures depicting Michael the Archangel show him in armor usually crushing [[Satan]] beneath his feet.