A
lamassu (
Cuneiform: , AN.KAL;
Sumerian:
dlammar;
Akkadian:
lamassu; sometimes called a
lamassus) is an
Assyrian protective deity, often depicted as having a human's head, a body of an ox or a lion, and bird's wings. In some writings, it is portrayed to represent a female deity. A less frequently used name is
shedu (
Cuneiform: , AN.KAL×BAD;
Sumerian:
dalad;
Akkadian,
šedu;
Hebrew: ) which refers to the male counterpart of a lamassu. The Lammasu or Lumasi represent the
zodiacs, parent-stars or
constellations.