Since angels are men, and live among themselves as men do on the
earth, they have garments and dwellings and other such things, with
the difference, however, that as they are in a more perfect state all
things with them are in greater perfection. For as angelic wisdom
surpasses human wisdom to such a degree as to be called ineffable, so
is it with all things that are perceived and seen by angels, inasmuch
as all things perceived and seen by them correspond to their wisdom
(see above, n. 173).
178. The garments with which angels are clothed, like all other
things with them, correspond; and because they correspond they have
real existence (see above n. 175). Their garments correspond to their
intelligence, and therefore all in the heavens appear clothed in
accordance with their intelligence; and as one is more intelligent
than another so the garments of one surpass those of another. The
most intelligent have garments that blaze as if with flame, others
have garments that glisten as if with light; the less intelligent
have garments that are glistening white or white without the
effulgence; and the still less intelligent have garments of various
colors. But the angels of the inmost heaven are not clothed.
179. As the garments of angels correspond to their intelligence they
correspond also to truth, since all intelligence is from Divine
truth; and therefore it is the same thing whether you say that angels
are clothed in accordance with intelligence or in accordance with
Divine truth. The garments of some blaze as if with flame, and those
of others glisten as if with light, because flame corresponds to
good, and light corresponds to truth from good.{1} Some have garments
that are glistening white and white without the effulgence, and
others garments of various colors, because with the less intelligent
the Divine good and truth are less effulgent, and are also received
in various ways,{2} glistening white and white corresponding to
truth,{3} and colors to its varieties.{4} Those in the inmost heaven
are not clothed, because they are in innocence, and innocence
corresponds to nakedness.{5}
{Footnote 1} From correspondence "garments" in the Word signify
truths (n. 1073, 2576, 5319, 5954, 9212, 9216, 9952, 10536).
For the reason that truths clothe good (n. 5248). A "covering"
signifies something intellectual, because the intellect is the
recipient of truth (n. 6378). "Shining garments of fine linen"
signify truths from the Divine (n. 5319, 9469). "Flame"
signifies spiritual good, and the light therefrom truth from
that good (n. 3222, 6832).
{Footnote 2} Angels and spirits appear clothed with garments in
accordance with their truths, thus in accordance with their
intelligence (n. 165, 5248, 5954, 9212, 9216, 9814, 9952,
10536). The garments of some angels are resplendent, others are
not (n. 5248).
{Footnote 3} In the Word "glistening white" and "white" signify
truth because they are from light in heaven (n. 3301, 3993,
4007).
{Footnote 4} Colors in heaven are variegations of the light
there (n. 1042, 1043, 1053, 1624, 3993, 4530, 4742, 4922).
Colors signify various things pertaining to intelligence and
wisdom (n. 4530, 4677, 4922, 9466). The precious stones in the
Urim and Thummim signified, in accordance with their colors,
all things of truth from good in the heavens (n. 9865, 9868,
9905). So far as colors partake of red they signify good; so
far as they partake of white they signify truth (n. 9466).
{Footnote 5} All in the inmost heavens are innocences, and in
consequence appear naked (n. 154, 165, 297, 2736, 3887, 8375,
9960). Innocence is presented in heaven as nakedness (n. 165,
8375, 9960). To the innocent and the chaste nakedness is no
shame, because without offence (n. 165, 213, 8375).
180. As in heaven the angels are clothed with garments, so when seen
in the world they have appeared clothed with garments, as those seen
by the prophets and those seen at the Lord's sepulchre:
Whose appearance was as lightning, and their garments
glistening and white (Matt. 28:3; Mark 16:5; Luke 24:4;
John 20:12, 13);
and those seen in heaven by John:
Who had garments of fine linen and white (Apoc. 4:4;
19:14).
And because intelligence is from Divine truth:
The garments of the Lord, when He was transfigured, were
radiant and glistening white like the light (Matt. 17:2;
Mark 9:3; Luke 9:29).
As light is Divine truth going forth from the Lord (see above,
n. 129), so in the Word garments signify truths and intelligence
from truths, as in the Apocalypse:
Those that have not defiled their garments shall walk with
Me in white, for they are worthy. He that overcometh shall
be clothed in white garments (3:4, 5);
Blessed is he that is awake and keepeth his garments
(16:15).
And of Jerusalem, which means a church that is in truth,{1} it is
written in Isaiah:
Awake, put on thy strength, O Zion; put on the garments of
thy beauty, O Jerusalem (52:1).
And in Ezekiel:
Jerusalem, I girded thee about with fine linen, and
covered thee with silk. Thy garments were of fine linen
and silk (16:10, 13);
besides many other passages. But he who is not in truths is said "not
to be clothed with a wedding garment," as in Matthew:
When the king came in he saw a man that had not on a
wedding garment; and he said unto him, Friend, how camest
thou in hither not having a wedding garment? Wherefore he
was cast out into the outer darkness (22:11-13).
The house of the wedding feast means heaven and the church because of
the conjunction of the Lord with heaven and the church by means of
His Divine truth; and for this reason the Lord is called in the Word
the Bridegroom and Husband; and heaven, with the church, is called
the bride and the wife.
{Footnote 1} "Jerusalem" signifies a church in which there is
genuine doctrine (n. 402, 3654, 9166).
181. That the garments of angels do not merely appear as garments,
but are real garments, is evident from the fact that angels both see
them and feel them, that they have many garments, and that they put
them off and put them on, that they care for those that are not in
use, and put them on again when they need them. That they are clothed
with a variety of garments I have seen a thousand times. When I asked
where they got their garments, they said from the Lord, and that they
receive them as gifts, and sometimes they are clothed with them
unconsciously. They said also that their garments are changed in
accordance with their changes of state, that in the first and second
state their garments are shining and glistening white, and in the
third and fourth state a little less bright; and this likewise from
correspondence, because their changes of state have respect to
intelligence and wisdom (of which see above, n. 154, 161).
182. As everyone in the spiritual world has garments in accordance
with his intelligence, that is, in accordance with truths which are
the source of intelligence, so those in the hells, because they have
no truths, appear clothed in garments, but in ragged, squalid, and
filthy garments, each one in accordance with his insanity; and they
can be clothed in no others. It is granted them by the Lord to be
clothed, lest they be seen naked.