Which goddess was often depicted as a hippopotamus and protected pregnant women? Taweret was the Egyptian protective goddess of childbirth, fertility, and pregnancy.
Taweret was usually shown as a pregnant, bipedal female hippopotamus with a woman’s breasts, lion’s legs, and the tail of a crocodile. The image combined the protective behavior of a mother hippopotamus with the strength of several formidable animals. Her name means “she who is great,” a reassuring title for a potentially dangerous deity.
Unlike gods with major state temples, Taweret was primarily a household deity worshipped throughout Egypt. Families used her images on amulets, magical objects, birth-related furniture, and ivory “wands” intended to guard mothers and babies. Her companion or consort was often the dwarf god Bes, another household protector.
Taweret is sometimes confused with Ipet, Reret, or Hedjet, other hippopotamus goddesses connected with motherhood. Those figures share related roles, but Taweret is the standard answer to this quiz description and the best-known name associated with pregnancy protection.