In ancient Mesopotamian religion, Pazuzu (Akkadian: 𒀭𒅆𒊒𒍪𒍪, romanized: pà.zu.zu) is a demonic deity who was well known to the Babylonians and Assyrians throughout the first millennium BCE. He is shown with "a rather canine face with abnormally bulging eyes, a scaly body, a snake-headed penis, the talons of a bird and usually wings". He was believed to be the son of the god Hanbi.

He was usually regarded as evil, but he could also sometimes be a beneficent entity who protected against winds bearing pestilence and he was thought to be able to force the demoness Lamashtu, his rival, back to the underworld. Amulets bearing his image were positioned in dwellings to protect infants from Lamashtu and pregnant women frequently wore amulets with his head on them as protection from her.

As an apotropaic entity, he is considered as both a personification of a destructive and dangerous wind, but also as a repellant to other demons, one who safeguards the home from their influence. In particular he protects pregnant women and mothers, defending them from the machinations of Lamashtu. He is invoked in ritual and representations of him are used as defence charms.

Pazuzu has two chief aspects: firstly as a domestic spirit wherein he is frequently portrayed as benevolent, and secondly as the wandering wind demon traversing the mountains wherein he presents a wilder character.

There is a well documented use of Pazuzu in Mesopotamian white magic. His inhuman and grotesque form can be inferred to^[vague] have been used to frighten away unwanted guests, as well as prevent his wind-demon subjects from entering the home and wreaking havoc. His role in magic and ritual is documented within inscriptions on the backs of his statues, or in ritual texts. Spells, incantations, and special artifacts were used to gain the favour and protection of the demon, such as artifacts being placed in and around the home or worn on the person to achieve the desired effect.

Large numbers of Pazuzu heads have been discovered, made from a variety of materials; chiefly terracotta, but also bronze, iron, gold, glass, and bone. These heads often feature holes or loops at the top, allowing them to be worn on necklaces by pregnant women in order to protect the baby from evil forces. Occasionally, the heads would be attached to cylinder seals or worn as brooches as well. Some of these heads have been found in graves.

Carved amulets are common. Ritual texts from Uruk state that a woman could be given a bronze necklace or amulet of Pazuzu in order to protect her from miscarrying via the interference of Lamashtu. Some are rectangular and depict Pazuzu either standing or crouching. Larger amulets made from stone could be hung on the wall to protect the room or an entrance. One of this type of amulet that was found inside a home in the Neo-Assyrian town of Dur-Katlimmu was lying on the floor of the main reception room and was thought to have been hung on the wall facing the entryway.

Given the number of artifacts uncovered, it can be inferred that Pazuzu enjoyed great popularity, and the uniformity of the heads, amulets, and statues demonstrates that representations of the demon-god were mass-produced.