<p>Before and usually, characters with wing are shown to have the wing grow from his/her upper back area. Example for angel/light-side characters that have such wing are Shidou Irina (High School DxD), Ikaros and the other angeloids (Sora no Otoshimono), and Musubi (Sekirei, only shown when she initiates an inori/prayer limit break). From the dark side we have Ulquiorra Schiffer (Bleach), Angela Blanc (Kuroshitsuji). The following picture is of the said Ikaros.</p>

<p><a href="https://i.sstatic.net/RgQRil.png" rel="nofollow noreferrer"><img src="https://i.sstatic.net/RgQRil.png" alt="Ikaros"></a></p>

<p>However, there are also characters who has their wing grow from the posterior area slightly above the butt, and sometimes called as balance wing. Example from the dark side are, Rias Gremory and other devils (High School DxD), and Naruse Maria (Shinmai Maou no Testament).</p>

<p><a href="https://i.sstatic.net/hHAbxl.jpg" rel="nofollow noreferrer"><img src="https://i.sstatic.net/hHAbxl.jpg" alt="Rias Gremory"></a></p>

<p>As far as I know, those wings are originated from European stories and depiction of angel and devils. In European classics grows from the back and not the lower back/butt area. For example the following picture is an image of Arch-Angel Michael from St. Catherine's monastery.</p>

<p><a href="https://i.sstatic.net/vz7Pgl.jpg" rel="nofollow noreferrer"><img src="https://i.sstatic.net/vz7Pgl.jpg" alt="Arch Angel Michael from St. Catherine&#39;s monastery"></a></p>

<p>This is further reinforced with the fact that in Shinto gods are not depicted with wings. The following is an image of Susano-o-no-mikoto a Shinto god of storm by Utagawa Kuniyoshi.</p>

<p><a href="https://i.sstatic.net/Is3A5l.jpg" rel="nofollow noreferrer"><img src="https://i.sstatic.net/Is3A5l.jpg" alt="Susanoo"></a></p>

<p>What is the origin of those posterior wings/balance wing?</p>

CC BY-SA 3.0
2016-04-28T06:56:58.133Z
Just a guess, but: this sort of wings are located closer to the center of gravity of the human body, which theoretically makes them more practical and more stable flight control.
I'm not sure, however, that it has any relevance to the origin of this type of wing.
Exerion
CC BY-SA 3.0
2016-04-28T10:31:14.443Z
The two shows you mention with the lower wings are both pretty well known for fanservice.  Might allow them to play up certain shots easier.
Clockwork-Muse
<tropes>
What is the origin of posterior wing trope?
# What is the origin of posterior wing trope?
Posted by: username_0 on 2016-04-27
Before and usually, characters with wing are shown to have the wing grow from his/her upper back area. Example for angel/light-side characters that have such wing are Shidou Irina (High School DxD), Ikaros and the other angeloids (Sora no Otoshimono), and Musubi (Sekirei, only shown when she initiates an inori/prayer limit break). From the dark side we have Ulquiorra Schiffer (Bleach), Angela Blanc (Kuroshitsuji). The following picture is of the said Ikaros.

[![Ikaros](https://i.sstatic.net/RgQRil.png)](https://i.sstatic.net/RgQRil.png)

However, there are also characters who has their wing grow from the posterior area slightly above the butt, and sometimes called as balance wing. Example from the dark side are, Rias Gremory and other devils (High School DxD), and Naruse Maria (Shinmai Maou no Testament).

[![Rias Gremory](https://i.sstatic.net/hHAbxl.jpg)](https://i.sstatic.net/hHAbxl.jpg)

As far as I know, those wings are originated from European stories and depiction of angel and devils. In European classics grows from the back and not the lower back/butt area. For example the following picture is an image of Arch-Angel Michael from St. Catherine's monastery.

[![Arch Angel Michael from St. Catherine's monastery](https://i.sstatic.net/vz7Pgl.jpg)](https://i.sstatic.net/vz7Pgl.jpg)

This is further reinforced with the fact that in Shinto gods are not depicted with wings. The following is an image of Susano-o-no-mikoto a Shinto god of storm by Utagawa Kuniyoshi.

[![Susanoo](https://i.sstatic.net/Is3A5l.jpg)](https://i.sstatic.net/Is3A5l.jpg)

What is the origin of those posterior wings/balance wing?
**Tags:** tropes
> **Comments:**
> **username_1**: Just a guess, but: this sort of wings are located closer to the center of gravity of the human body, which theoretically makes them more practical and more stable flight control.
I'm not sure, however, that it has any relevance to the origin of this type of wing.  
> **username_2**: The two shows you mention with the lower wings are both pretty well known for fanservice.  Might allow them to play up certain shots easier.  
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## 0 answers
