Tradition: Mesopotamian Mythology, Iraqi Mythology
Alternative Names: Big Weather-Beast, Ugallū
Category: Lion
The Myth
The Ugallu is a fearsome lion-headed demon with the body of a humanoid and the feet of a bird. Its appearance changed over time, with its feet becoming powerful eagle-like talons and its body covered by a short skirt. It has a lion’s head and ears and is often depicted carrying a mace and a dagger, making it appear as a formidable supernatural warrior.
Despite its demonic nature, the Ugallu serves as a protective spirit against evil and disease. Its image was placed on amulets, clay figurines, and wooden figures made from tamarisk, which were used to protect people and their homes from malevolent supernatural forces. Pairs of Ugallu figures guarded the gates of palaces and temples, while smaller protective figures were placed in private homes, especially in bedrooms where people were vulnerable to unseen dangers.
The Ugallu was one of eleven monstrous beings created by the primordial goddess Tiāmat during her war against the younger gods. After the god Marduk defeated and captured these creatures, he bound them and assigned them new purposes. The Ugallu became a guardian against evil, its terrifying appearance repurposed to defend the world against the very dangers it once represented. In older traditions, it also served Nergal as a guardian of the underworld, before becoming widely associated with protection and the warding off of harmful spirits.
Sources
“Ugallu.” Wikipedia: The Free Encyclopedia. Wikimedia Foundation. Accessed October 21, 2026. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ugallu