Identifying goddesses in ancient Near Eastern iconography

Identification guide
A goddess can be identified by: 1. wings 2. a crown 3. gestures (blessing, enthroned, smiting or menacing) 4. holding animals (snakes, doves, horned animals) as a mistress of animals 5. with plants 6. with sceptres 7. standing on animals (lion, horse, bull) 8. if she is being worshipped

Kuntillet Ajrud

Yahweh and His Asherah

Kuntillet Ajrud (continued)

Stylized tree, flanked by two ibexes, standing on a lion.

The Taanach cult stand

Possible pontia therion (mistress of the animals) on bottom register?

Sphinx on second register.

Stylized tree on third register. Calf and sun on top register.

Egyptian New Kingdom stela

The goddess Qedeshet on top part The goddess Anat on bottom part

Bronze figures from Ugarit

Egyptian tree goddesses

Iron Age metal figures

Iron Age seal amulets

Akkadian seals

Akkadian seals (continued)

Old Syrian seal