http://heritage-key.com/egypt/pazuzu-plaque

This plaque depicts Pazuzu, an evil wind demon, and was probably used to ward off the demon, Lamashtu, as well as a wealth of westward diseases. In this plaque and elsewhere, Pazuzu was portrayed as a terrifying creature with the face of a lion, human torso, goat horns, snake-headed phallus, scorpion’s tale, and bird talons.

Pendant with the Head of Pazuzu in the Metropolitan Museum of Art, February 2008

HISTORIA DE LAS RELIGIONES ANTIGUAS. PRÓXIMO ORIENTE. Vol I

Autora: Dra.Ana María Vázquez Hoys

Materia: Historia de las Religiones Antiguas

Editorial: Madrid 2006. Sanz y Torres

Nº págs: 655

ISBN: 84-96094596

http://www.flickr.com/photos/23655879%40N00/2717282062/

Pendant with the Head of Pazuzu
Bronze
Mesopotamia
Neo-Assyrian
8th-7th century BC

Accession # 1993.181

The Mesopotamian god Pazuzu, king of the evil wind demons, was a composite creature with a lion or dog-like face, the horns of a goat, a human torso, the fore-paws of a lion, a scaly lower body, a snake-headed phallus, a scorpion’s tail, and the talons and wings of a bird. Pazuzu emerged from the mountains of the underworld, which are represented at the bottom of the plaque. Images of Pazuzu were thought to ward off the demon, Lamashtu, and the protect against disease-bearing winds, especially the west wind. Plaques depicting Pazuzu were placed in houses and bronze head-pendants were hung around the necks of pregnant women, who were the particular focus of Lamashtu’s attacks.