An overdone trope in recent fantasy is the butt-kicking chick, the perky young thing in heels, hand-gun proficient, and exhibiting wisdom she is too young yet to have earned.
Here is something I found in the Smithsonian. She caught my eye, her fierceness, her age. Many images of goddesses are young, beautiful, benevolent, generous, comforting and welcoming. As a fierce and (evidently) violent protector of men, Lhamo certainly is atypical.
I thought it would be great to read about her as the main protagonist in the next urban fantasy all you authors are thinking about writing.
The information is from the placard next to this object in the Sackler Museum of the Smithsonian. Note her bandolier of skulls!
Goddess Lhamo
15th century, Tibet.
Lhamo is the protective deity of Lhasa, capital of the former kingdom of Tibet. In addition to being one of a potent group of eight protectors of the Buddhist faith, she is the patron deity of the Dalai Lama and all followers of the Gelupka, or Yellow Hat order.
The sculpture conveys the vivacity and ferocity of Lhamo, whose three eyes are said to flash like lightning and whose eyebrows blaze like fire. Seated astride a wild donkey, she brandishes her sword over the heads of enemies. Surrounding her are nineteen attendant deities riding a variety of bird and animal mounts. The gilt-copper plaque originally decorated the base of a funerary stupa at the renowned Densatil monastery in central Tibet.
