Animal Gods

The following animals can be found in the Living Worlds and Nature’s Library galleries. Animal Gods on the Galleries

• Anubis (Jackal head) Jackal in Living Worlds: Resources case & Nature’s Library: Mammals case. Anubis was the god of embalming and the dead. • Bastet (Cat head) Cat in Living Worlds: Connect case. Bastet was a protective goddess. • Bes (Lion features) Lion in Living Worlds: Symbols case. Bes was the protector of pregnant women, newborn babies and the family, and would protect against snake / scorpion bites. • Geb (Goose on head) Goose in Living Worlds: Weather case. Geb was god of earth. • Horus (Hawk) Hawk in Nature’s Library: Birds case. Horus was a god of the sky. • Khepri (scarab) Scarabs in Nature’s Library: Insects case. Khepri was a god of creation, the movement of the sun, and rebirth. • Ra (Hawk and cobra around head) Hawk in Nature’s Library: Birds case. Ra was the sun god. He was the most important god of the ancient Egyptians. • Sekhmet (head of lioness) Lion in Living Worlds: Symbols case. Sekhmet was the goddess of war and destruction. • Shu (Lion) Lion in Living Worlds: Symbols case. Shu was the god of the air. • Sobek (crocodile) Skull of Nile Crocodile in: Nature’s Library: Reptiles case & Small crocodile in Nature’s Library: Cabinets of Curiosity case. Sobek was a Nile god. • Tawaret (head of a hippopotamus with the arms and legs of a lion, the back and tail of a crocodile) Hippopotamus skull in Nature’s Library: Bones case, Lion in Living Worlds: Symbols case and crocodile in Nature’s Library: Cabinets of Curiosity case. Tawaret was a goddess who protected women during pregnancy and childbirth. • Tefnut (Lioness head) Lion in Living Worlds: Symbols case. Tefnut was the goddess of moisture. • Thoth (Ibis or Baboon head) Ibis in Nature’s Library: Birds case and Baboon in Living Worlds: Connect case. Thoth was the god of writing and knowledge.