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Description
Anzû (Hebr., זיז, Zîz) ~
A lion-headed bird, Anzû had prominent myths in Ancient Mesopotamian religion and legend, in which he was a monstrous demon capable of breathing fire and water. Also intelligent, Anzû stole away the Tablets of Destiny from the air god Enlil, and hid them on his mountaintop aerie. It was eventually killed by the storm god, but its legacy was said to live on in its offspring. It also featured in the legend of the Huluppu Tree (a portion of the Epic of Gilgamesh) which was among the inspirations for the biblical Garden of Eden story. Anzû is known in Hebrew literature from the Psalms, where he is regarded as a dangerous mountain-dwelling bird spirit. He was also believed to be a personification of the southern wind, a harbinger of tornadoes and thunderstorms, wreaking havoc on mortal villages as well as divine sanctuaries.

I've always rather liked Anzû, and I thought a portraiture of the ancient bird monster would be fun to attempt. I had an earlier draft with more birdlike features, but I thought giving him a bit more lion would be neat. The primary inspirations for my version of Anzû are the lion (of course), the golden eagle, the griffon vulture, and the bearded vulture (lammergeier).

Description
Anzû (Hebr., זיז, Zîz) ~
A lion-headed bird, Anzû had prominent myths in Ancient Mesopotamian religion and legend, in which he was a monstrous demon capable of breathing fire and water. Also intelligent, Anzû stole away the Tablets of Destiny from the air god Enlil, and hid them on his mountaintop aerie. It was eventually killed by the storm god, but its legacy was said to live on in its offspring. It also featured in the legend of the Huluppu Tree (a portion of the Epic of Gilgamesh) which was among the inspirations for the biblical Garden of Eden story. Anzû is known in Hebrew literature from the Psalms, where he is regarded as a dangerous mountain-dwelling bird spirit. He was also believed to be a personification of the southern wind, a harbinger of tornadoes and thunderstorms, wreaking havoc on mortal villages as well as divine sanctuaries.

I've always rather liked Anzû, and I thought a portraiture of the ancient bird monster would be fun to attempt. I had an earlier draft with more birdlike features, but I thought giving him a bit more lion would be neat. The primary inspirations for my version of Anzû are the lion (of course), the golden eagle, the griffon vulture, and the bearded vulture (lammergeier).