Statue of Taweret

Taweret, "the Great One", was a protective goddess of childbirth and fertility. She was shown as a pregnant hippopotamus standing upright, with the paws of a lion and the back and tail of a crocodile, a fearsome combination meant to frighten away anything that might harm mothers and newborns.

Amulets of Taweret were worn by women in pregnancy, and her image appears on beds, headrests and household objects, while large statues were dedicated in temples.