Pazuzu
In ancient Mesopotamian religion, Pazuzu (Akkadian: 𒀭𒅆𒊒𒍪𒍪, romanized: pà.zu.zu)[2] is a demonic deity who was well known to the Babylonians and Assyrians throughout the first millennium BCE.
[3] He is shown with "a rather canine face with abnormally bulging eyes, a scaly body, a snake-headed penis, the talons of a bird and usually wings".
[6] His inhuman and grotesque form can be inferred to have been used to frighten away unwanted guests, as well as prevent his wind-demon subjects from entering the home and wreaking havoc.
Large numbers of Pazuzu heads have been discovered, made from a variety of materials, chiefly terracotta, but also bronze, iron, gold, glass, and bone.
[9] These heads often feature holes or loops at the top, allowing them to be worn on necklaces by pregnant women in order to protect the baby from evil forces.
Ritual texts from Uruk state that a woman could be given a bronze necklace or amulet of Pazuzu in order to protect her from miscarrying via the interference of Lamashtu.
[14] One of this type of amulet that was found inside a home in the Neo-Assyrian town of Dur-Katlimmu was lying on the floor of the main reception room[14] and was thought to have been hung on the wall facing the entryway.
[14] Given the number of artifacts uncovered, it can be inferred that Pazuzu enjoyed great popularity,[12] and based upon the uniformity of the heads, amulets, and statues, it has even been speculated that such representations of the demon-god were mass-produced.
[17] Similarly, a ritual incantation against Lamastu from the Late Babylonian Period directs the reader to make a Pazuzu necklace and hang it around the afflicted person's neck.
"[18] Another text also narrated by him describes Pazuzu encountering other lilû demons in his travels, and breaking their wings, therefore preventing them from inflicting harm.
His body of canine form, though scaled not furred,[21] with birds' talons for feet, two pairs of wings, a scorpion's tail and a serpentine penis.
His face is striking, with gazelle horns,[22] human ears, a doglike muzzle, bulging eyes, and wrinkles on the cheeks.
[15] These beings, as depicted on several cylinder seals, have wings, and each represents a different wind direction; South, East, West, and North.
[15] Franz Wiggermann calls attention to the crooked positioning of the masculine West Wind[15] in seals, as similar to posture in Pazuzu's iconography.
[15] Another scholar, Scott Noegel, asserts that Pazuzu's possession of four wings links to the term kippatu, meaning "circle, loop, circumference, and totality",[23] suggesting his control over all cardinal directions of wind inherited from his predecessors.
[1] Pazuzu was invoked in apotropaic amulets, which combat the powers of his rival,[33] the malicious goddess Lamashtu, who was believed to cause harm to mother and child during childbirth.
