Pazuzu
Famous because of his appearance in The Exorcist, Pazuzu is an ancient Assyrian and Babylonian god, the king of the wind demons. Pazuzu is somewhat of a dichotomy - he brings famine and locusts, powers the harsh southwest wind, and starves mortal humans. However, he also protects mankind from other demons, particularly Lamashtu, his wife (and you thought YOUR marriage was rough!). As evil as he may be, Pazuzu is jealous and protective, and the famines he brings are nothing compared to the horrors that other demons would unleash. Is this a good tradeoff? Perhaps, perhaps not.
Pazuzu is traditionally described as sort of a proto-chimera, with four wings, the body of a man, head of a lion, talons of an eagle, tail of a scorpion, and serpent penis. Yes, you read that last one right. Because he was worshipped as well as feared, Pazuzu's image can be found on several idols and amulets, giving us a pretty good idea of what he was supposed to look like.
Odd thing about this figure - it certainly looks like an interpretation of medieval artwork, yet I could not find the particular picture it mimics. It also matches Pazuzu's ancient Assyrian description (well, minus the snake penis), yet looks nothing like his idol. Curiouser and curiouser!
The inscription on the back of Pazuzu's most famous idol reads, "I am the god Pazuzu, son of the god Hanbi, king of the evil wind demons."
Featured on Life In Plastic: nerditis.com/2013/01/23/life-in-plastic-obscure-toys-you-...
Pazuzu
Famous because of his appearance in The Exorcist, Pazuzu is an ancient Assyrian and Babylonian god, the king of the wind demons. Pazuzu is somewhat of a dichotomy - he brings famine and locusts, powers the harsh southwest wind, and starves mortal humans. However, he also protects mankind from other demons, particularly Lamashtu, his wife (and you thought YOUR marriage was rough!). As evil as he may be, Pazuzu is jealous and protective, and the famines he brings are nothing compared to the horrors that other demons would unleash. Is this a good tradeoff? Perhaps, perhaps not.
Pazuzu is traditionally described as sort of a proto-chimera, with four wings, the body of a man, head of a lion, talons of an eagle, tail of a scorpion, and serpent penis. Yes, you read that last one right. Because he was worshipped as well as feared, Pazuzu's image can be found on several idols and amulets, giving us a pretty good idea of what he was supposed to look like.
Odd thing about this figure - it certainly looks like an interpretation of medieval artwork, yet I could not find the particular picture it mimics. It also matches Pazuzu's ancient Assyrian description (well, minus the snake penis), yet looks nothing like his idol. Curiouser and curiouser!
The inscription on the back of Pazuzu's most famous idol reads, "I am the god Pazuzu, son of the god Hanbi, king of the evil wind demons."
Featured on Life In Plastic: nerditis.com/2013/01/23/life-in-plastic-obscure-toys-you-...