The Master of Animals, Lord of Animals, or Mistress of the Animals is a motif in ancient art showing a human between and grasping two confronted animals. The motif is very widespread in the art of the Ancient Near East and Egypt. The figure may be female or male, it may be a column or a symbol, the animals may be realistic or fantastical, and the human figure may have animal elements such as horns, an animal upper body, an animal lower body, legs, or cloven feet. Although what the motif represented to the cultures that created the works probably varies greatly, unless shown with specific divine attributes, when male the figure is typically described as a hero by interpreters.
Egyptianizing gold pendant showing the Lord of the Animals, Minoan, 1700–1500 BC. Aegina Treasure. (British Museum)
Mistress of animals (Potnia Theron) Pithos with relief, 625-600 BC, National Archaeological Museum of Athens
"Master of the Animals" stamp seals, Tepe Giyan, Iran, 5000-4000 BCE.
Gebel el-Arak Knife (c. 3450 BC). Naqada II, Egypt
The Potnia Theron or Mistress of Animals is a widespread motif in ancient art from the Mediterranean world and the ancient Near East, showing a central human, or human-like, female figure who grasps two animals, one to each side. Although the connections between images and concepts in the various ancient cultures concerned remain very unclear, such images are often referred to by the Greek term Potnia Theron regardless of culture of origin.
Seated woman of Çatalhöyük flanked by two lionesses
Artemis Orthia in the usual stance of Potnia Theron on an archaic ivory votive offering, (National Archaeological Museum of Athens)
Relief on a pithos, 625-600 BC. National Archaeological Museum of Athens
Hypothetical restoration Artemis as Mistress of Animals, Parian pottery, 675–600 BC