The colossal winged guardians placed at Assyrian palace entrances were called lamassu.
Lamassu were protective supernatural figures with a human head, the body of a bull or lion, and large wings. Neo-Assyrian kings installed them at gateways and other important parts of palaces. Their imposing size and hybrid form symbolized strength, intelligence, and supernatural protection.
Many lamassu appear in the palaces of rulers such as Sargon II and Sennacherib. Sculptors commonly carved five legs: viewed from the front, the figure stood firmly; viewed from the side, it appeared to stride forward. This unusual design was intentional rather than an anatomical mistake.
The name lamassu can refer to a protective spirit, while related terms and figures varied across Mesopotamian languages and periods. Their museum displays today often come from sites including Nimrud, Khorsabad, and Nineveh.