Within the angelic hierarchy, they are '''C-rank''', above [[angel|angels]] and [[pterolykos|pterolykoi]], placing them at the same level as [[guardian angel|guardian angels]] and [[feathered serpent|feathered serpents]], and under [[seraph|seraphim]] and [[colossus|colossi]].
The process of how a human someone can become a shrine maiden is explained in the [[Shrine maiden#Becoming a shrine maiden|section below]].
Shrine maiden work is classified into one of three broad categories; shrine management, store duty, and missionary duties. Any shrine maiden can be reassigned to one or the other at any given time, and personnel is constantly rotated to keep them moving between assignments. Each shrine maiden is assigned to a 'home' shrine, which in turn means that the corresponding town becomes their town of residence.