The Lion of Al-lāt (Arabic أسد اللات) is an ancient statue that adorned the Temple of Al-Lat in Palmyra, Syria. The statue, of a lion holding a crouching gazelle, was made from limestone ashlars in the early first century A.D. and measured 3.5 m (11 ft) in height, weighing 15 tonnes.
The lion was regarded as the consort of Al-lāt. The gazelle symbolized Al-lāt's tender and loving traits, as bloodshed was not permitted under penalty of Al-lāt's retaliation. The lion's left paw had a partially damaged Palmyrene inscription (PAT 1122) which reads:
Source: Lion of Al-lāt - Wikipedia
The lion was regarded as the consort of Al-lāt. The gazelle symbolized Al-lāt's tender and loving traits, as bloodshed was not permitted under penalty of Al-lāt's retaliation. The lion's left paw had a partially damaged Palmyrene inscription (PAT 1122) which reads:
tbrk ʾ (Al-lāt will bless) mn dy lʾyšd (whoever will not shed) dm ʿl ḥgbʾ (blood in the sanctuary).
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On 27 June 2015, the Lion of Al-lāt was severely damaged by the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant after it had captured Palmyra. The statue was removed to the National Museum of Damascus and underwent reconstruction work, and now stands again.
On 27 June 2015, the Lion of Al-lāt was severely damaged by the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant after it had captured Palmyra. The statue was removed to the National Museum of Damascus and underwent reconstruction work, and now stands again.
Source: Lion of Al-lāt - Wikipedia