Representations of fertility and motherhood are
found across the ancient civilizations and stand
as a testament to the universality of human
nature. The ancient Egyptian goddess Thoeris
(Tawaret),
or “the great [female] one”, embodies these
physical attributes of fertility with her pregnant
belly and her pendulous breasts. Commonly
interpreted in the form of a hippopotamus, the
goddess is depicted wearing a female headdress
like that of the goddess Hathor. Upon closer
examination, one sees that this figure is a
configuration of fierce animals that are known to
be overly protective of their young: the lion, the
crocodile and the hippo. The protective function
is highlighted both by the grimacing open-
mouth pose and the hieroglyph “sa”, meaning
protection, that rests under Tawaret’s paws. It is
no wonder that such a powerful protective force
was a popular household deity represented as far
back as the Old Kingdom.
- (GDC.002)
|
