Looking further beyond from the representations of Adam and Eve in religions, there are also many comparisons that can be made in the representations of Angels. Angels, similarly to Adam and Eve, were being extremely holy and pure creatures. They were the kinds of beings who were incapable of committing sins, and their home was in heaven as a result. In Islamic teaching, it is said that Angels are made of light, are beautiful and have wings. While, in Christianity, Angels, are shown as white beings with childlike features and white wings. Artist would portray their faces as childlike as the symbol of purity has always been children and white wings (often only seen in doves) as symbols of love and peace. The Angels and Adam and Eve have similar facial features overall, with the only difference being the Angels’ wings.
Tarikh Al-rusul wa'l-muluk was written by Muhammad Ibn Jarir al_Tabri. It tells the story of creation and detail about Muslims and the Middle Eastern history. This specific image [fig 6] depicts Adam and the Angels bowing down to him, while Iblis (the devil) refusing to bow. Adam and the Angels look almost identical except for the Angels’ wings. They have similar facial features and skin tones and similar dress robe.[3] The same resemblance is shown in Christianity in the image of Christ Consoled by Angels by Juan Patricio Morlete Ruiz [fig 7], where the Angels have similar skin tone and physique of Jesus, with the only difference being the Angels wings and how Christ simply has tunic on (this is due to him being crucified by the Romans).
3. Francesca Leoni, “On the Monstrous in the Islamic Visual Tradition,” 151-172.
