The extent of Nabataean trade resulted in cross-cultural influences that reached as far as the Red Sea coast of southern Arabia. The gods worshiped at Petra were notably Dushara and Al-‘Uzzá. Dushara was the supreme deity of the Nabataean Arabs, and was the official god of the Nabataean Kingdom who enjoyed special royal patronage. His official position is reflected in multiple inscriptions that render him as The god of our lord (The King). The name Dushara is from the Arabic Dhu ash-Shara: which simply means the one of Shara,a mountain south-east of Petra. Therefore, from a Nabataean perspective, Dhushara was probably associated with the heavens. However, one theory which connects Dhushara with the forest gives a different idea of the god. The eagle was one of the symbols of Dushara. It was widely used in Hegra as a source of protection for the tombs against thievery.