Pazuzu – The demon of the wind, protector against Lamashtu.

In the world of ancient Mesopotamian mythology, demons were not always purely evil. Some, like Pazuzu, straddled the line between destruction and protection. Known as the demon of the wind, bringer of storms, and defender against the child-stealing demoness Lamashtu, Pazuzu played a unique and paradoxical role in ancient beliefs.

His grotesque image, with a fearsome face, lion-like features, and outstretched wings, may seem terrifying, but for many in the ancient world, Pazuzu was also a guardian spirit, invoked to ward off misfortune.

Who is Pazuzu? Origins and Mythology

Pazuzu was a powerful wind demon in the mythologies of Sumer, Akkad, Assyria, and Babylon, making him one of the oldest known supernatural beings in history. He was considered:

A force of chaos and destruction, bringing storms, droughts, and plagues.

A protector against evil, especially against the terrifying demoness Lamashtu.

A spirit of both malevolence and defense, capable of causing harm but also preventing it.

In Mesopotamian belief, Pazuzu was often feared as a bringer of misfortune, but he was also seen as a necessary force to counter greater evils.

Pazuzu's Appearance: A Terrifying and Powerful Figure

Pazuzu’s image was meant to inspire both fear and respect. He was often depicted as:

Having the head of a lion or a dog, with large, bulging eyes and a snarling expression.

Possessing the body of a human, but with twisted and exaggerated features.

Sporting large, outstretched wings, symbolizing his control over the winds.

Having the talons of a bird, emphasizing his supernatural origins.

His body often appearing thin and emaciated, as if ravaged by the very winds he controlled.

A scorpion-like tail, further highlighting his dangerous and unpredictable nature.

Despite this monstrous appearance, Pazuzu was not always an enemy. Many people in ancient Mesopotamia saw him as a protector against even worse evils.

Pazuzu vs. Lamashtu: The Demon Who Became a Guardian

One of Pazuzu’s most important roles in mythology was his opposition to Lamashtu, the dreaded demoness who harmed pregnant women and newborns.

While both Pazuzu and Lamashtu were associated with illness and misfortune, their relationship was one of rivalry rather than alliance. In ancient texts and spells:

Pazuzu was invoked to drive Lamashtu away, preventing her from stealing infants or harming mothers.

Women would wear Pazuzu amulets during pregnancy and childbirth as protection.

Magical incantations would call upon Pazuzu’s name to stop Lamashtu’s influence.

This dual nature—both destructive and protective—made Pazuzu one of the most complex demons in ancient mythology.

How Did Ancient People Use Pazuzu for Protection?

Though Pazuzu could bring misfortune, people actively sought his protection through various means:

Pazuzu Amulets and Statues

One of the most common ways to ward off Lamashtu and other evils was by wearing or displaying Pazuzu amulets. These small charms, often made of metal or clay, depicted Pazuzu’s terrifying form.

Pregnant women wore Pazuzu charms around their necks to ensure a safe birth.

Families placed Pazuzu statues in their homes to protect against disease and evil spirits.

Magicians and priests carried Pazuzu figurines to use in exorcisms or protective rituals.

Rituals and Spells

Ancient priests performed magical rituals to invoke Pazuzu’s power, including:

Reciting incantations to call upon Pazuzu to banish evil spirits.

Placing offerings before Pazuzu statues, asking for protection.

Drawing Pazuzu’s image on walls or in sacred spaces to keep Lamashtu away.

Though he was feared, Pazuzu was also deeply respected, and many believed that invoking his name could bring supernatural protection.

Gallu – Underworld demons who drag people to the abyss.

In ancient Mesopotamian mythology, the Gallu were terrifying underworld demons tasked with dragging doomed souls into the abyss. These malevolent beings were feared as enforcers of divine punishment, mercilessly hunting down those marked for death or punishment. Appearing in Sumerian, Akkadian, and Babylonian texts, the Gallu demons served the gods of the Underworld and played a significant role in myths surrounding death and the afterlife.

But who were the Gallu? What powers did they possess, and how did they influence later demonology? This article explores the origins, myths, and lasting legacy of these dark entities of Mesopotamian lore.

Origins and Nature of the Gallu

The name "Gallu" translates roughly to "demon" or "devourer" in Sumerian and Akkadian texts. They were known for their relentless pursuit of their victims, dragging them to the underworld, also called Kur or Irkalla, the realm ruled by the death goddess Ereshkigal.

Servants of the Underworld

The Gallu were often depicted as servants of the gods of death and the underworld, carrying out the will of deities such as:

Ereshkigal – Queen of the Underworld, who ruled over the spirits of the dead.

Nergal – God of war, plague, and death, who at times acted as the consort of Ereshkigal.

Enlil and Anu – High gods of Mesopotamian mythology who could send the Gallu after those who defied them.

Forms and Appearance

The Gallu were usually described as shadowy, monstrous entities, often with:

Clawed hands for seizing their victims.

Burning or hollow eyes that could strike terror into mortals.

Blackened, skeletal forms that embodied decay and death.

Wings or the ability to fly, ensuring no one could escape their grasp.

Unlike the more well-known Lilu spirits (similar to later concepts of succubi and incubi), the Gallu were not seducers but hunters—they did not tempt, they simply took.

Gallu in Mythology: Harbingers of Doom

The Descent of Inanna and the Gallu Guards

One of the most famous stories that mention the Gallu is "The Descent of Inanna", the Sumerian tale of the goddess of love and war journeying to the Underworld.

In the myth, Inanna is killed by Ereshkigal and left to rot in the land of the dead. To bring her back, the gods send two creatures called gala-tura and kur-jara, who manage to revive her. However, a soul must stay in the underworld in her place.

The Gallu demons are sent to capture Dumuzi (Tammuz), Inanna’s husband, as a replacement. He tries to flee, but the Gallu relentlessly pursue him, dragging him into the abyss, fulfilling their role as inescapable enforcers of death.

Gallu as the Bringers of Death

The Gallu were also believed to be the ones who came for those cursed by the gods or those who died under mysterious circumstances. If someone vanished without explanation or was found dead without any visible wounds, people believed that the Gallu had taken them.

This idea contributed to the Mesopotamian fear of dying without proper burial rites—for if the body was not honored, the spirit could be left at the mercy of the Gallu, unable to find peace.

Ancient Mesopotamians feared the Gallu and sought to ward them off through rituals, prayers, and charms. Some common ways to protect against these underworld hunters included:

Amulets and talismans inscribed with protective spells from gods like Marduk or Ea (Enki).

Sacrificial offerings to appease the gods of the Underworld, ensuring the Gallu would not come for them.

Ritual purification to cleanse oneself of any sins or curses that might attract demonic attention.

Calling upon protective spirits, such as Lamashtu’s rival, Pazuzu, who was believed to keep evil spirits at bay.

Even today, elements of these protective practices remain in modern occult traditions, where talismans, prayers, and spiritual cleansing rituals serve a similar purpose.