228 SEAL CYLINDERS OF WESTERN ASIA. 
of it is a winged griffin, while a small tree is behind their backs. In fig. 698 the two 
“dragons” attacking a bull seem to have no relation to the tree. 
Equally little relation to the finely developed tree appears in fig. 699, where a 
figure like Gilgamesh lifts two griffins by the hind leg. We have already seen another 
example in which a portion of the design is not related to the tree in fig. 687, where 
Marduk attacks an ostrich. We have the grifhn not rampant, but walking, in fig. 700. 
Here we have the star, repeated, and the cross as emblem of the sun. In fig. 702 a 
winged dragon is on one side and on the other an unusual animal, a leopard. But this 
case is almost unique in the goat over the tree; though in fig. 701 we have two birds 


perched on the top of the tree. These are perhaps abnormal conceits on the part 
of the artist, but, as we shall see later, may be related to a mythological conception. 
In fig. 703 there is a sphinx each side of the tree above and an ibex below. ‘This 
cylinder, to be sure, is rather Syro-Hittite, and the seated deity carries an ax per- 
haps, and an animal headed-figure presents her with a lion. 
I now come to a more careful consideration of the meaning of this scene. We 
observe, first, that over the tree is regularly, although not always, the emblem of 
the supreme deity. It presides over the tree and is somehow related to it. ‘This 
winged disk becomes human in form, or even triply human: and it is gracious to 
the worshiper before the tree, as shown by the cases in which the worshiper holds 
the cord which falls from its wings. This 
recalls the various passages in the Hebrew 
Scriptures in which the worshiper of Jehovah 
is protected by his “wings” or “pinions,” 
or, as in the case of the Moabite Ruth join- 
ing the god of Israel, “under whose wings 
thou art come to trust.”” The emblem above 
is for the worship and protection of the 
human figure below, but it also presides 
over the tree, as shown by such a case as fig. 
690. In this case I do not regard the figure standing on the fish-man as human, but 
as a genius, the wings being omitted probably to make room for the inscription. 
Yet it is to be noticed that usually when the winged disk is omitted there is no 
human worshiper. 
Next we observe in several cases under the winged symbol of Ashur two com- 
posite figures, half man and half bull (figs. 683-686), or half man and half eagle 
(fig. 1153), with both hands raised under the tree until they seem to support the 
emblem above. But they also stand before the tree and are to be regarded as its 
protectors as well. In such a case as fig. 700 the griffin seems rather to be protect- 

