Pagan Eye: Lamassu of Nineveh Goes on Tour

I was somewhat surprised to encounter this ancient Assyrian mythological creature in the streets of Eastbourne over the bank holiday weekend. The massive statue is called The Invisible Enemy Should not Exist (Lamassu of Nineveh) and is by Michael Rakowitz. He made it by upcycling empty metal Iraqi date syrup cans over a steel frame. It was first shown on the Fourth Plinth in London’s Trafalgar Square, but it has travelled to Eastbourne where it will stand in the Towner Plaza until April 14th. 

Information on the Towner Gallery website explains: “Lamassu is a winged bull protective Assyrian deity that stood at the entrance to Nergal Gate of Nineveh from ca. 700 B.C. until February 2015, when ISIS destroyed it along with artefacts in the nearby Mosul Museum.”  The reconstruction is really amazing and worth visiting if you are in the area. I’m not sure where Lamassu will appear next…

On each Pagan Eye post, I show a photo that I find interesting, with a few words about it. It can be a seasonal image, a pagan site, an event, or just a pretty picture. If you want to send me a photo for a Pagan Eye post, please email it to badwitch1234@gmail.com Let me know what the photo shows and whether you want your name mentioned or not. For copyright reasons, the photo must be one you have taken yourself and you must confirm that you are submitting it for A Bad Witch’s Blog.

Previous related posts
http://www.badwitch.co.uk/2021/08/pagan-eye-collage-of-my-holiday-photos.html
http://www.badwitch.co.uk/2023/07/pagan-eye-sacred-spring-on-sussex-beach.html
http://www.badwitch.co.uk/2024/02/pagan-eye-roman-dragon-standard-at.html
http://www.badwitch.co.uk/2024/03/pagan-eye-garden-for-children-in-times.html

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