THIS GODDESS LOOKS DANGEROUS, HAVING A SNARLING HIPPOPOTAMUS HEAD, THE BODY OF A PREGNANT WOMAN, THE ARMS AND LEGS OF A LION
AND A CROCODILE TAIL.
However, all her ferocity is meant to ward off any threats to women during childbirth and she often holds the powerful amulet
of protection.
Taweret's headdress has cow horns and a sun-disc with plumes, like other goddesses who were protectors of women and children,
such as Hathor. Taweret's name means 'The Great One' or 'The Big One'. Sometimes she is represented in large, impressive statues
but more often she takes the form of a small amulet with a suspension loop worn by women on bracelets or necklaces. In the
ancient Egyptian signs of the zodiac Taweret forms one of the constellations of the northern sky.
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