Some images of ancient Egyptian gods and goddesses show them as if they were humans. Ptah of Memphis, for example, is usually shown as a man wrapped in mummy clothes, his hands outside the wrappings, grasping scepters. But other gods, such as Horus, Thoth and Sakhmet, are usually shown with a human body and the head of a bird or an animal.
Egyptian gods can also appear in purely animal form, as Horus can be shown as a hawk.
From the earliest times in Egypt, some deities were honoured or worshipped in the form of animals. In the distant past, particular animals may have been chosen to embody, to stand for, the powers of a god. The cow's large eyes with long lashes, and her generally quiet demeanor suggested a gentle aspect of feminine beauty. Her gift of milk, which could sustain a human child, became of symbol of love and sustenance. The following section contains a survey of the more important animal manifestations of divine power.