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.”

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.”