The temple texts at Edfu recall a time before the flood when ancient gods were venerated in tent-like shrines before being immortalized in brick structures.
)
The combination of animals was meant to represent her power and strength. Even her name radiates with power, literally translating to “The Great Female One” (Glenn, Joralyn).
Taweret was common among domestic households as the protector of motherhood and fertility. Her swollen, or pregnant, belly is a symbolic representation of fertility and childbearing potential (Reilly, and Candace A). The representation of her as a mixture of such powerful animals was to show Taweret as the “protector of motherhood and pregnancy” (Reilly, and Candace A). The Egyptians observed the Egyptian hippos fierce protection of their young and used this to represent Egyptian mothers own fiery fight for their children.