myancientworld:

This Roman object was known as a tintinnabulum, which hung in the open courtyard of a house. The phallus was already known to ward off evil, and the chiming of the bells from the wind would also keep evil away too- so the double function of the phallus and bells working together were thought to be very powerful.

In this particular object, the phallus has been given the animal body parts of a bird, by the inclusion of wings, a tail, a phallus, and legs. ‘Humanaising’, or giving animal-parts to a phallus, was very common.

Everything I learned in Classical Studies. But seriously, I hope I get famous one day and someone (preferably Ellen!) interviews me and asks about my collegiate pursuits and I can talk about how the Romans would hang up charming little flying penis. So precious, omfg.