In Egyptian art, wings represent swiftness, power, strength and divine beauty, both humans and animals were often depicted with wings, and we also see winged human-animal hybrids.
The Seraphim, a type of Christian angel, has been identified with the Egyptian Uraeus. The Seraphim have six wings and are associated with serpents and fire. The Uraeus is a two or four winged serpent who is also associated with fire.
The Cherubim, another type of Christian angel, also found its inspiration in Egyptian art. According to the Bible, a Cherub has four wings, the body of a man, the feet of a calf, and a head with four animal faces creating a creature with a strong resemblance to ancient Egyptian composite animals such as the Sphinx.
The Bible also tells us that The Ark of the Covenant was decorated with Cherubs and from its description we can learn that ark itself was modeled after earlier Egyptian objects.
Winged Egyptian deities include Isis, Osiris, Maat, Nut, Nephthys, and Neith.
Isis, the divine mother, was the sister-wife of Osiris and the mother of Horus, she was often portrayed with colorful wings and is associated with the Christian Mary, mother of Jesus.
Isis, Maat, Horus, Nephthys and other winged gods are often depicted using their wings to protect the king. Nut, Isis, and Nephthys also use their wings to protect the dead, much like the well known Christian guardian angles who receive and protect souls at the time of death.
The image above is a depiction of the protector-goddess Nut as she appears on an ancient Egyptian wooden coffin.
