The Egyptian Museum, Cairo, Egypt - A Lion-Headed Goddess

A LION-HEADED GODDESS

A LION-HEADED GODDESS

Identity: Unknown
Material: Bronze
Period: Late, 26th Dynasty
Reign: Unknown

Dimensions:
Height: 29.8 cm
Width: 5.8 cm
Length: 13.2 cm

The Egyptians always worshipped the lioness, fearing the force and danger that she represents. Mythically, her anger was appeased by Re and she was attached to his brow in the form of the uraeus (Wadjet) in order to burn his enemies with her flaming breath. This lioness, like most of her counterparts is crowned with the sun disk and uraeus as well as the Hathor crown. She holds the papyrus sceptre (Wadj) and the sign of life (both broken off). The throne is decorated with feathers and its back has a falcon hovering in the sky. Below, a figure holds the budding fronds in its hands to signify eternity. Generally speaking, lioness goddesses appeared under different names in different periods and locations. Their relationship with various gods is rather complex, but whatever their name maybe, they usually symbolized protection against invaders or enemies.

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