Ugallu : The Weather Beast

Ugallu

Introduction

The storm-demon Ugallu was an Akkadian deity who personified divine intervention. He was depicted as a lion-headed creature with a bird’s feet that appeared on protective figurines and amulets during the first millennium BC.

Ugallu was regarded as a day-demon, and he personified the divine intervention that humans have experienced throughout their lives. According to the Mesopotamian culture, he’s one of the storm-demons that belonged to the family of Tiamat. He’s also considered to be an enemy of the solar god and an associate of Adad.

Physical Traits

The deity’s iconography has changed over time. In the Neo-Assyrian period, his weapons are a dagger and a mace. Two different versions of Ugallu are depicted in recovered amulets. One of these features a lion-headed Ugallu wearing a long robe and human feet, while the other has a short skirt and eagle talons.

The essence of Ugallu was chaotic, ephemeral, and airy. Upon being summoned, his face would transform from female to male, and he also had white hair that concealed bolts of lightning.

Family

Ugallu was one of the 11 mythical creatures that were created to avenge Apsu, the god of sweet and fresh water. The mother of the gods, Apsu, was the consort of the gods. In the form of a dragon, she created her sons to reverse the Enuma Elis tablet.

Ugallu was regarded as the child of Tiamat. Like his brothers and mother, he was defeated by the Marduk, and this legend shows how the ancient warrior rehabilitated and reconstructed the world from the remains of his enemies. The demons were then turned into protective charms that were used to protect the doors of various private homes and palaces.

Powers and Abilities

Ugallu is a day-demon that can help save people from death. He’s similar to other light-related deities such as Shamash the sun and Nuska the lamp. His rituals are usually performed at night.

In the Old Babylonian period, Ugallu was depicted as a servant of Nergal. During later periods, he was often depicted alongside the Sumerian demon Lulal. In his right hand, he is holding a dagger, while in its left hand, he is girded with a weapon known as a ugallu.

Modern Day Influence

With the Islamic expansion in the region, all such hybrid creatures slowly faded away as even considering some entity to be all powerful other than Allah and his creations were considered blasphemy. Also, the popularity of the very similar but more evil Manticore from Persian or Iranian mythology overshadowed the Ugallu.