Breccia statue of the goddess Taweret

myminifactory

Taweret stood as a formidable goddess who fiercely protected mothers and newborns during childbirth. Unlike most deities, she was devoid of human characteristics, boasting the head and body of a hippopotamus, the tail of a crocodile, and the legs of a lioness - creatures renowned for aggressively safeguarding their young. Births typically took place within the home, making Taweret an integral part of household worship. No grand temples were erected in her honor; instead, statues of the goddess were placed on the family altar found in every home. These figurines served as powerful amulets, guaranteeing the protection of Taweret against malevolent forces that threatened households, especially their children. Smaller-than-usual statues of Taweret are relatively common, often crafted from wood or clay, while larger stone statues on a monumental scale were typically placed within temples. Kings and private individuals sometimes dedicated statues of deities or themselves holding deities to demonstrate their devotion to a particular god. The dedication of a Taweret statue might have been motivated by the desire to win her favor in an upcoming birth or as a gesture of gratitude for her intervention in a recent one.