Throughout history, gods and goddesses have been personified as animals by various cultures. In fact, the attributing of animal forms or characteristics to deities, or zoomorphism, dates back to antiquity. Idealized for their specific traits, such as strength, beauty, or intelligence, these creatures literally became the embodiment of a divine being, a figure to be admired and worshipped. But just which members of the animal kingdom inspired humans enough to become symbols of adulation and devotion?
Click through and behold the most celebrated deities personified as animals.