Angels are the messengers of God, intermediaries between Heaven and Earth, guiding and protecting human beings. They usually have bird-like wings, circular haloes and robes. They can have specific tasks: perhaps most importantly, the Archangel Gabriel announced to the Virgin Mary that she would give birth to Jesus. Angels also appear as decorative figures in scenes of heaven, and are often shown as winged infants, similar to Cupids and putti who are messengers or companions of Venus, the goddess of love.