The Lamassu is a guardian figure from ancient Mesopotamian civilizations-especially Assyrian and Babylonian?depicted with the body of a bull or lion, wings of an eagle, and a human head. Placed at palace and city gates, Lamassu embodied strength (bull), vigilance and swiftness (wings), and intelligence (human head). More than a monster, it was a protective presence meant to repel chaos and safeguard order.