History Main / SymbolicWings

* In ''TabletopGame/Warhammer40000'', the elite assault tropes and characters of the Blood Angels Chapter of [[SuperSoldier Adeptus Astartes]] often decorate their [[JetPack jump packs]] with large angelic wings in imitation of the mighty pinions of their [[SuperPrototype Primarch]], the [[WingedHumanoid Great Angel Sanguinius]]. The angelic image that these wings give these mighty warriors greatly boosts the moral of their allies and strikes fear in the heart of their enemies.

* In ''TabletopGame/Warhammer40000'', the elite assault tropes and characters of the Blood Angels Chapter of [[SuperSoldier Adeptus Astartes]] often decorate their [[JetPack jump packs]] with large angelic wings in imitation of the mighty pinions of their [[SuperPrototype Primarch]], the [[WingedHumanoid Great Angel Sanguinus]]. The angelic image that these wings give these mighty warriors greatly boosts the moral of their allies and strikes fear in the heart of their enemies.

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* The Polish winged Hussars who feature in the page header illustration are [[http://www.plasticsoldierreview.com/Review.aspx?id=1315 also available in miniature]].

[[caption-width-right:330: "Husaria's Attack" by Aleksander Orłowski.]]

* The Queen of Blades in ''VideoGame/StarCraft'' has a pair of skeletal claws on her back that resemble wings. Unlike many examples, she actually uses these to attack.

* Roman commentators on the early wars with the Celts report that many Celtic warriors wore helmets adorned with representations of birds' wings. Some archaeological evidence exists to support this, but in most cases the helmets worn into battle would only have had vestigial or abstract representation of wings on them. [[note]]although one truly elaborate example dating from 300BC was found, pretty much intact, in Rumania. The [[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Winged_helmet#/media/File:KMM_-_Kriegergrab_Ciumesti_Helm_Kopie.jpg Ciumesti Helmet]] has a large metal bird perched atop the helmet, with working wings that would have flapped when the owner moved.[[/note]]. Romantic interpretations by the Victorians elevated the winged helmet to the same folk-popular status as the horned helmet to Vikings: wings, in battle, would have been every bit as impractical as horns. The winged helmet worn by [[ComicBook/{{Asterix}} Asterix The Gaul]] in the cartoons is an example of the sort of exaggerated headgear Victorian imagination made mandatory for Celtic warrior heroes.

* In both the film and the book of ''Franchise/LordOfTheRings'', the Gondorian Guard are depicted as having helmets with integral symbolic wings. The soldiers' version has the wings crafted as an integral part of the helmet shell rather than protruding; but the Crown of Gondor worn by the King has fully-fledged wings like a bird in flight.

* Roman commentators on the early wars with the Celts report that many Celtic warriors wore helmets adorned with representations of birds' wings. Some archaeological evidence exists to support this, but in most cases the helmets worn into battle would only have had vestigial or abstract representation of wings on them. [[note]]although one truly elaborate example dating from 300BC was found, pretty much intact, in Rumania. The Ciumesti Helmet has a large metal bird perched atop the helmet, with working wings that would have flapped when the owner moved.[[/note]]. Romantic interpretations by the Victorians elevated the winged helmet to the same folk-popular status as the horned helmet to Vikings: wings, in battle, would have been every bit as impractical as horns. The winged helmet worn by [[ComicBook/{{Asterix}} Asterix The Gaul]] in the cartoons is an example of the sort of exaggerated headgear Victorian imagination made mandatory for Celtic warrior heroes.

* In ''ComicBook/{{Asterix}}'', the titular Asterix the Gaul and other prominent Gaulish characters affect helmets with wings attached. This has some referents in archaeology and history. But this style of headgear was imagined by Victorian historians and folklorists who were attempting to give a sense of heroic romance to their Celtic heroes - especially in France. See "Real Life" below.

* Roman commentators on the early wars with the Celts report that many Celtic warriors wore helmets adorned with representations of birds' wings. Some archaeological evidence exists to support this, but in most cases the helmets worn into battle would only have had vestigial or abstract representation of wings on them. [[note]]although one truly elaborate example dating from 300BC was found, pretty much intact, in Rumania. The Ciumesti Helmet has a large metal bird perched atop the helmet, with working wings that would have flapped when the owner moved.[[/note]]. Romantic interpretations by the Victorians elevated the winged helmet to the same folk-popular status as the horned helmet to Vikings: wings, in battle, would have been every bit as impractical as horns. The winged helmet worn by [[ComicBook/Asterix Asterix The Gaul]] in the cartoons is an example of the sort of headgear Victorian imagination made mandatory for Celtic warrior heroes.

[[folder; ComicBooks]]
* In ''ComicBook/Asterix'', the titular Asterix the Gaul and other prominent Gaulish characters affect helmets with wings attached. This has some referents in archaeology and history. But this style of headgear was imagined by Victorian historians and folklorists who were attempting to give a sense of heroic romance to their Celtic heroes - especially in France. See "Real Life" below.

* Roman commentators on the early wars with the Celts report that many Celtic warriors wore helmets adorned with representations of birds' wings. Some archaeological evidence exists to support this, but in most cases the helmets worn into battle would only have had vestigial or abstract representation of wings on them. [[note]]although one truly elaborate example dating from 300BC was found, pretty much intact, in Rumania. The Ciumesti Helmet has a large metal bird perched atop the helmet, with working wings that would have flapped when the owner moved.[[/note]]. Romantic interpretations by the Victorians elevated the winged helmet to the same folk-popular status as the horned helmet to Vikings: wings, in battle, would have been every bit as impractical as horns. The winged helmet worn by AsterixTheGaul in the cartoons is an example of the sort of headgear Victorian imagination made mandatory for Celtic warrior heroes.

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* For the finale of ''Literature/WordsOfRadiance'', Kaladin regains his powers and flies at high speed to the location of the battle. When he lands, a burst of energy creates an image of wings above him, although this is not a symbol that has cultural meaning in the setting (because there are no birds). Instead, the symbol is writing in the symmetrical glyph language that happens to look like wings.

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[[AC: RealLife]]
* Pictured above, the Polish Winged Hussars, heavy cavalry used in the 16th-18th centuries. It's not known why they wore the impractical wings, with the most accepted theory being intimidation. (See WingsDoNothing for more information)

PowerGivesYouWings is a subtrope. See also WingsDoNothing.

* For the finale of ''Literature/WordsOfRadiance'', Kaladin regains his powers and flies at high speed to the location of the battle. When he lands, a burst of energy creates an image of wings above him, although this is not a symbol that has cultural meaning in the setting.

* Helena from ''Series/OrphanBlack'' has [[CoveredInScars extensive scarring]] on her back -- [[spoiler: that she likely [[SelfHarm did to herself]]]] -- that make out the shape of wings. At first it symbolizes her being a religions fanatic, but later [[spoiler: she becomes a "guardian angel" for her twin sister Sarah]].

* ''[[Anime/GundamWing Gundam Wing: Endless Waltz]]'': When the newly upgraded Wing Zero unfurls its wings, it reveals a set of four, which are angelic in design. Whereas the wings of Deathscythe Hell first appear to be a black cloak, in keeping with its [[TheGrimReaper Reaper design.]] When Duo opens them, they take the form of bat wings; effectively invoking GoodWingsEvilWings.

* ''[[Anime/GundamWing Gundam Wing: Endless Waltz]]'': When the newly upgraded Wing Zero unfurls its wings, it reveals a set of four, which are angelic in design. Whereas the wings of Deatscythe Hell first appear to be a black cloak, in keeping with its [[TheGrimReaper Reaper design.]] When Duo opens them, they take the form of bat wings; effectively invoking GoodWingsEvilWings.

* In the various ''Anime/TenchiMuyo'' incarnations, the Light-Hawk Wings for beings or spacecraft which manifest sufficient amounts of [[PowerGivesYouWings cosmic power]]. The number of wings also indicates the PowerLevel.

* Magda, a persistent secondary villain in ''VideoGame/DiabloIII'', has a pair of withermoths (essentially giant electric dragonflies) on her shoulders, which sometimes flap and fly up a short distance. She also [[PowerFloats hovers]], but this is probably due to her own magic rather than allowed by the insects.