Mythological Gods: Taweret, The Egyptian Goddess of Childbirth and Fertility
Wikimedia CommonsTaweret
The Egyptian goddess Taweret, or “she who is great,” was widely regarded by her worshipers as a benevolent figure — despite resembling such ferocious creatures.
Instead of having temples built in her honor, she was worshiped by people in their own homes with statues and amulets.
The goddess of fertility, Taweret is often depicted as having the belly and breasts of a pregnant woman, the head of a hippopotamus, the tail of a crocodile, and the arms and legs of a lion.
Her likeness was sometimes used as a sort of pitcher, with a hole at her nipple where milk would be poured out, perhaps with the belief that the milk would be given divine properties.
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