Taweret was a hippotamus Netjert (goddess) that protected the woman in childbirth. She was represented with the arms of a lion, and a crocodile tail - sometimes the whole crocodile over her back. She has pendulous breasts and a large pregnant belly. Taweret is often shown holding the sa, a sign of protection and ocassionally an ankh. Her name means "great one" and she is sometimes called "mistress of the horizon", Nebet-akhet in respect of the hippo constellation, situated on the northern horizon. She has other aspects or names, such as Ipy or Ipet (Opet) in the Pyramid Texts, or Reret, the sow.

Her fearsome appearance is a ward against the malevolent forces that could attack a pregnant woman during labor and birth. Like Bes she appeared on beds and headrests. Faience vases were made in the shape of Taweret where the liquid poured out of the nipple. Amulets in her image were hugely popular.

The male hippotamus is a dangerous animal and was feared by Ancient Egyptians. He was a sacred animal of Set, and in this respect Taweret was supposed to have been a consort of Set who abandoned him to support Heru (Horus) in their fight for the throne.