Angel and Devil

The pairing of opposites is a visual tradition in tattooing that can apply to the symbolism of the images (love vs. hate, saint vs. sinner), their coloring (red and blue swallows), and their placement (left and right chest, left and right hands). In this wonderful example, a small scene of the battle of good and evil is played out on someone's calf (angel vs. devil, blue and red, upper and lower).

The Devil, or Satan, comes in a wide variety of forms in tattoo art -- with bat-like wings and sometimes a tail, perhaps a fine gentleman in a suit, other times with cloven hooves, the grotesque of a cathedral column, or even a prince, although a horned and red-colored demon is a favorite.

He is the opposite of the divine and the counterpart of God, associated with evil of course, but often importantly for tattoos, also associated with temptation. His entire purpose is to deprive humans of the grace of God by tempting them into sinful behavior and giving in to their base desires. This particular example of the devil bears a resemblance to the impish, stand-alone version of him that is also referred to as “hot stuff.”

The little cherub, against a backdrop of parting clouds and beatific light rays from above, strikes the opposite pose. Sporting the halo and wings that nearly always accompany an angel, this version also wields a cross against the pitchfork of his foe.

The word angel comes from the Greek word for "messenger." Even our angel here seems to descend from above, acting on behalf of that ultimate being in the higher sphere. They seem closer to humans and somehow more accessible, even more human-like. It's also not unusual for them, in tattoo art as elsewhere, to be cute in their cherubic form and quite beautiful in their adult form.


Angel and Devil Tattoo Design by Greg James

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Other Christian Tattoo Symbols