Lamassu

A lamassu (Cuneiform: 𒀭𒆗, an.kal; Sumerian: dlammař; Akkadian: lamassu; sometimes called a lamassus) is a Sumerian protective deity. It is often depicted as a hybrid of a human, bird, and either a bull or lion—specifically having a human head, the body of a bull or a lion, and bird wings. In some writings, it is portrayed to represent a female deity. A less frequently used name is shedu (Cuneiform: 𒀭𒆘, an.kal×bad; Sumerian: dalad; Akkadian, šēdu), which refers to the male counterpart of a lamassu. Lammasu represent the zodiacs, parent-stars or constellations.