I found this mysterious statue in a museum in Heraklion, Crete. The sign said:

Statue of an Egyptian deity. It depicts a standing male figure with long hair and dress decorated with stars, around which a snake is wound. He holds two sceptres with lotus, while a pallet, the symbol of the scribes, is showing hanging from his left arm. The figure is identified with a deity, in which coexist attributes of gods Osiris, Serapis, and Imhotep. Roman period, 1st-2nd century AD.

First, “lotus” looks a lot like mushrooms to me, or is it just me? 😊 Stars are the universe. And the great cosmic serpent (naga in Buddhism). Psychedelic mushrooms, cosmic serpent and stars — a psychedelic priest/ deity? 🐍 And what about the curious bird-like creature next! No mention of it at all. I have so many questions.

I’ve done some research (I need to fall into this rabbit hole fully at some point). Professor Fuller says some believe this statue is that of Aion. If the case, the missing head would have been a head of a lion. Are there any experts in Egyptology reading this blog? Please share your thoughts!

PS: So I fell into the rabbit hole and found some more info in Greek here (Google translated).

A FORM WITH MANY FACES: OSIRIS, SARAPIS, IMOUTHIS, ASCLEPIOS, AION HEADLESS EGYPTIAN STATUE. The statue depicts either a priest or a god and is an excellent example of syncretism in Crete during the Roman period.

The pose is reminiscent of the Egyptian god of the Underworld Osiris. The scribe’s palette seen on the left arm and the stars of the garment refer to the god Imhotep (Imuthis) who was worshiped as a magician, astronomer and writer. The same god was also a physician, as a result of which he merged during the Ptolemaic period with Asclepius, whose symbol was the snake.

The snake that meanders around the trunk can also refer to the god Aion, son of Zeus, and deity equivalent to Sarapi.