Representations of fertility and motherhood are found across the ancient civilizations and stand as a testament to the universality of human nature. The ancient Egyptian goddess Thoeris (Tawaret), or “the great [female] one”, embodies these physical attributes of fertility with her pregnant belly and her pendulous breasts. Commonly interpreted in the form of a hippopotamus, the goddess is depicted wearing a female headdress like that of the goddess Hathor. Upon closer examination, one sees that this figure is a configuration of fierce animals that are known to be overly protective of their young: the lion, the crocodile and the hippo. The protective function is highlighted both by the grimacing open-mouth pose and the hieroglyph “sa”, meaning protection, that rests under Tawaret’s paws. It is no wonder that such a powerful protective force was a popular household deity represented as far back as the Old Kingdom.