Torus Portals, Strata Layers, and Flow Direction Symbols

One of my recent posts had image B, and image A is a better view of it.

I've wasted plenty of time over the years on those wavy lines above his shoulders, thinking they might be something literal.

Image D and H also seem to have literal objects behind their shoulders (but probably they are just symbols).

Finally, I think a better explanation is the half-portal with strata layers on image C and E, and the full torus portal behind the head on image F.

The objects behind the shoulders of D and H, my guess is they each indicate a different flow direction, and I'll point out that image C has fish pointing in opposite directions.

I don't really understand strata layers within tori and portals, particularly when each layer has an alternating attribute, but it's something to notice occasionally.

Image A has been called a deity named Shamash.

I am a critic of assigning all those deity names onto human shapes posing in pictograms.

Every aspect is deliberate: the arm and leg positions, the vertical lines on the straight leg, the upward symbol from the extended hand, the various symbols above those side mounds.

The side pillars with their animals at the top.

The horns on the hat.

When everything is a known and understood symbol, what's left to be a deity?