The Lamassu: Winged Guardian Lions of Divine Protection in City of the Plague God

What Is a Lamassu?

In Mesopotamian mythology, a lamassu is a protective deity often depicted as a winged lion or bull with a human head. In City of the Plague God, Sarwat Chadda reimagines these beings as living, shape‑shifting guardian cats. They first appear in Chapter Seventeen, when Ishtar’s ordinary house cats suddenly transform into massive, winged felines. Sargon—previously a flabby tabby—becomes a rhino‑sized lion with golden wings, while the other cats turn into a panther, a leopard, a tiger, and a pair of lions. These lamassus are sacred to Ishtar and act as her defenders.

Where the Lamassu Appears

The lamassu also appear indirectly in earlier references: Mo shows Sik a picture of a lamassu from an archaeology book, linking the ancient guardians to Sik’s lost brother.

How the Lamassu’s Meaning Changes

Initially, the lamassus are passive protectors of Ishtar’s home. They stand guard and frighten demons, but they do not leave the property. When Nergal arrives, they spread out and growl, yet it is Ishtar who directly confronts the god. Their role is one of stationary guardianship—a reminder of the goddess’s power.

In Chapter Thirty‑Seven, however, the lamassus become active instruments of movement. They pull the chariot, carrying Sik, Daoud, and Belet through the plague‑ridden streets. They smash through crowds of poxies and even charge the giant toad demon Idiptu. This shift from static defenders to dynamic weapons reflects Sik’s growing acceptance of supernatural aid. He must learn to trust beings older than his own world, just as he must trust his friends.

The sacrifice of two lamassus in Chapter Thirty‑Eight deepens the symbol. They are not invulnerable; they can be wounded and fall. Their injuries underscore the cost of heroism and the vulnerability of even divine creatures. The remaining two lamassus barely keep the chariot aloft, forcing Daoud and Belet to stay behind while Sik flies alone to save his parents. This moment echoes the broader theme of self‑sacrifice: the lamassus give their strength so that Sik can reach the hospital.

Character and Theme Connections

• Ishtar: The lamassus are extensions of the goddess’s will. She treats them as loyal children or pets, yet they obey Sik’s command via the magical reins. This transfer of authority shows Ishtar’s trust in Sik and foreshadows his eventual role as a protector of others.
• Belet: As Ishtar’s daughter, Belet shares a natural affinity with the cats. In Chapter Thirty‑Four, a snow leopard (not a lamassu but a zoo‑escapee) finds her and becomes her companion, Qareen. This bond reinforces Belet’s independence from her mother and her own emerging identity as a guardian figure.
• Sikander Aziz: Sik first learns about lamassus from his deceased brother Mo, linking them to memory and heritage. When he later pilots the lamassu‑drawn chariot, he acts not as a conqueror but as a desperate son trying to save his family. The lamassus become a vehicle (literally) for his love.
• Themes: The lamassu embodies divine protection that can be both given and lost. Their wings connect to the theme of mortality and immortality—they are immortal beings who can still be hurt and killed. Their sacrifice ties to heroism and sacrifice, while their role in the chariot chase connects to family and brotherhood, since Sik fights for his parents and for Daoud.
• Plague and decay: Nergal’s presence causes decay even among the lamassus. In Chapter Seventeen, the house’s vines wither and flies gather right before the cats’ transformation. The lamassus represent a last line of defense against the corruption Nergal spreads.

Study Questions and Answers

1. How do the lamassus differ from the other magical creatures in the novel (e.g., the Asakku demons)?
While the demons serve Nergal and bring destruction, the lamassus serve Ishtar and protect life. They are shape‑shifters like the demons, but their transformations express loyalty and strength rather than corruption. The lamassus also act as a community—they fight together and even suffer losses together—whereas the demons cannibalize each other (Nergal eats the crow‑demon in Chapter Nineteen).

2. Why do the lamassus obey Sik when he uses the magical reins?
The reins are linked to Ishtar’s power and the king’s seal (the ring he received from her). Sik does not command the lamassus through dominance but through trust. Earlier, Ishtar asked Sik to look after Belet, showing she found him worthy. The lamassus sense his genuine desire to save his family, which aligns with their protective nature.

3. In what way does the lamassu reflect the theme of “immortality and sacrifice”?
The lamassus are immortal in the sense that they are divine beings, yet they can be wounded and even die (two are knocked out of the harness in Chapter Thirty‑Eight). This shows that immortality does not mean invulnerability. Their willingness to risk themselves for a mortal boy parallels Ishtar’s own sacrifice later in the novel. The lamassu symbol thus questions the value of eternal existence without purpose.

4. How does Belet’s relationship with the snow leopard Qareen parallel her relationship with the lamassus?
Belet first meets Qareen after chaos in Central Park. The snow leopard is not a lamassu but a regular cat from the zoo that chooses to follow her. This reflects Belet’s growing independence from her mother and her ability to form bonds on her own terms. The lamassus were part of Ishtar’s household; Qareen is Belet’s own companion. Together, they suggest that Belet will carry forward the protective spirit of the lamassus into her future quest to rescue her mother from Kurnugi.

For further reading, explore other symbols in the novel on the City of the Plague God main page, or connect the lamassu to themes such as mortality and immortality, heroism and sacrifice, and family and brotherhood. Also see how the lamassu relates to characters like Ishtar, Belet, and Sikander Aziz.