warding-malevolent-spirits

Kusarikku · salience 0.9

“The Kusarikku's most consistent role across the surviving material is apotropaic: it functions as a guardian spirit warding off evil forces, hostile demons, and misfortune from the spaces it protects.”

Lamassu · salience 0.75

“In Assyrian and Babylonian culture, the Lamassu was more than just a mythical beast; it was considered a lesser deity, imbued with supernatural abilities to ward off malevolent spirits and protect against misfortune.”

Apkallu · salience 0.75

“Small figurines of them were buried under floors and doorways to guard buildings, which means they functioned as protective presences in daily practice and not only as figures in a story about the distant past.”

Raijū · salience 0.7

“In some tales, it is said to chase away evil spirits and cleanse areas struck by its lightning.”

Pazuzu

“Pazuzu's most attested role is as an apotropaic protector invoked against Lamashtu, a demoness who threatened pregnant women and endangered infants; amulets bearing his image were hung near beds or worn by expectant mothers to frighten Lamashtu away, and incantation texts describe Pazuzu driving her back to the underworld.”