"Mongoose Figure Late Period or Ptolemaic Period 664–30 B.C." "The pose of raised paws signifies the animal's adoration of the sun god when he rises in the morning. Some scholars have identified these animals as otters rather than mongooses." Ancient Egyptian sun-worshiping otters, folks.
Why isn't there a Church Of The Otter Day Saints? I would martyr myself for these little dudes, with the paws and all. Come on. I'd bring jihad to the Otterman Empire, the whole bit. Sign me up!
There's an ongoing controversy about whether specific examples of Ancient Egyptian art depict otters or mongooses. There's even a patron goddess of the Egyptian city of Buto, called 'Uto' (Uto of Buto) for whom some think otters were sacred. But here's the kicker...
How interesting! Otter or Mongoose, those front paws are adorable.
The sun is worthy of worship! It's all nice and warm, and helps point out the feesh 🦦
I just had to call my daughter into the room to show her. “Just look at this Little Guy! Somebody carved him, over two thousand years ago. ‘I’m a Little Guy!’”