Serpopard

Serpopard (serpard) - the name of a mythical animal, with the body of a lion (or leopard) and a snake neck, used by some modern researchers. It is known from images on ancient Egyptian, Mesopotamian and Elamite artifacts. The term was not used in the original texts, and its interpretation is applied only in recent times.

The image of a sickle parrot is typical for the decor of cosmetic and cult palettes of the pre-dynastic period of Ancient Egypt. The image was also widely used in the design of cylinder seals during the Uruk period in Mesopotamia (c. 3500-3000 BC).

The animal as a whole can be classified as a feline. It has the characteristic features of a cat's tail, torso and round eared head. The sickle parrot does not have the characteristic features of a snake, such as the shape of a tongue or head. Like other ancient peoples, the Egyptians were known for their ability to accurately portray the creatures they observed. In the composite images they created to depict the gods, the features of the animals used to form the image are well recognizable.

Images
The dual nature of these creatures - celestial and chthonic - is displayed on the palettes by placing their figures in the form of a ring formed by the plexus of serpentine necks. The ambivalence of the image is especially well seen in the image on the Narmer palette. It is believed that on the Narmer palette, serpards with intertwined necks may symbolize the unification of Upper and Lower Egypt.

The lioness played an important role in the religious movements of both Upper and Lower Egypt and was presented as an animal associated with the protection of the royal dynasty. In the late predynastic period, there was already an image of a goddess in the guise of a lioness, who in the written tradition was the beloved daughter of Ra, speaking under various names: Sekhmet , Tefnut , Wajit , Maat , Eye of Ra.

The long necks of sickle parrots may be a common exaggeration, which is a feature of the design of an artistic motif.

There are also interesting opinions identifying the sickle with the sauropod.

In Mesopotamia, the use of these "snake-necked lions" and other hybrid animals was a manifestation of the chthonic aspect of mythology. Chthonic monsters in many religions and mythologies are creatures that originally personified the wild natural power of the earth, the underworld, etc. Images of such fantastic animals are also known from the heritage of the civilization of Elam and many other ancient cultures.

The image of a sickle parrot is also found on magical protective tablets and knives.