Taweret ancient Egyptian hippo goddess 3d printable model

Taweret, THOUERIS the ancient Egyptian goddess of childbirth and fertility, holds a significant place in Ancient Egyptian religion. Her name, which means she who is great or great one, is a pacifying term used to address dangerous deities. Taweret is often depicted as a bipedal female hippopotamus with feline characteristics, pendulous human breasts, lion limbs and paws, and a Nile crocodile's back and tail. She is known by various epithets such as Lady of Heaven, Mistress of the Horizon, She Who Removes Water, Mistress of Pure Water, and Lady of the Birth House.

The presence of hippopotamuses in the Nile region predates the Early Dynastic Period (before 3000 BCE), as evidenced by archaeological findings. The aggressive nature of these creatures fascinated the inhabitants of the region, leading to both persecution and reverence. Male hippopotamuses were associated with chaos and were hunted by the Egyptian kings to showcase their divine power. On the other hand, female hippopotamuses were revered as protective deities, as they diligently safeguarded their young. Amulets depicting female hippopotamuses have been discovered dating back to the Predynastic period (c. 3000–2686 BCE). The tradition of creating and wearing these amulets persisted throughout Egypt's history, extending into the Ptolemaic Kingdom and the Roman period (c. 332 BCE – 390 CE).