In the Sumerian civilization, religion played a fundamental role in the daily life of its inhabitants. The Sumerians created a vast number of deities and supernatural beings that were both venerated and feared. However, among all these deities, there are seven that stood out above the rest for their importance in Sumerian religion and mythology.
One of the most important gods was Inanna , a female goddess associated with sexuality, fertility and war. She received great veneration in Sumerian culture and, when the Assyrians adopted her cult, she became one of the most important gods in their pantheon.
Enlil, the Sumerian god of air and storms, was considered the creator of the world. According to Sumerian mythology, Enlil separated heaven and earth from his parents and, thanks to this, was able to create life and civilization. His powerful attribute makes him a fundamental god for the Sumerians.
An, the Sumerian god of the sky, shared an important role with Enlil in Sumerian mythologies. However, it was on another side of the divine scale that we find Utu, the god of the sun and justice. His role was central to resolving political disputes and maintaining social order.
The Seven Gods of the Sumerian Myth
In Sumerian mythology, there is a group of seven gods who play a fundamental role in the creation of the world and life. Among these gods, we find Inanna, as I mentioned earlier, a female goddess linked to sexuality, fertility and war.
In addition to Inanna, another fundamental god is Enlil, the Sumerian god of air and storms. According to mythology, Enlil was the creator of the world, separating heaven and earth and allowing life and civilization to emerge. However, it was not only Enlil who participated in this creative process, as An, the Sumerian god of the sky, also played an important role.
In Utu, the god of the sun and justice, we find an important deity for social and political order. His function was to resolve disputes and maintain balance in Sumerian society. Similarly, Nanna/Nannar, the god of the moon, becomes a protector of the flock and the shepherds, as well as the symbol of wisdom and astrology.
On the other hand, Ninhursag, a female deity, played a crucial role as the mother of all goddesses. She was the protector of women and children, and was attributed with functions similar to Utu, such as the protection of life and the earth. Finally, Nammu, the Sumerian god of primordial waters, is considered the symbol of the beginning of life, creation and birth.
In Sumerian religion, these gods were linked through complex rituals and ceremonies, which sought to maintain balance between the divine and mortal worlds. Through worship of these gods, the Sumerians hoped to find protection, prosperity and wisdom in their daily lives.
Creation and Abundance in the Sumerian Gods
Creation and abundance are central themes in Sumerian religion, and many of the gods mentioned above play an important role in this regard. Enlil himself is considered the creator of the world, separating heaven and earth and allowing life and civilization to emerge.
Enanna, on the other hand, is the goddess associated with fertility and abundance. She was worshipped as the protector of wheat, barley and other crops important for Sumerian subsistence. Her cult focused on rituals and offerings that sought to ensure abundant growth and successful harvests.
An, the Sumerian god of the sky, also plays an important role in creation and abundance. An is believed to have sent humans to stay on Earth and make their crops and homes prosperous.
On the other hand, Ninhursag, as the mother of all goddesses, is closely related to creation and abundance. She was worshipped as the protector of women and children, and was attributed with functions similar to Utu, such as protection of life and the earth.
In this sense, the Sumerians created a close connection between their gods and the fertility of the land. Rituals and offerings were common in the Sumerian religion to ensure the growth of crops and the well-being of communities.
Enlil, the Father of the World & Air
Enlil is one of the most important gods in Sumerian mythology, and his role as father of the world and protector of the air is fundamental in the creation and maintenance of the universe.
According to Sumerian mythology, Enlil was the firstborn son of An, the Sumerian god of the sky. It was Enlil who created the world by separating heaven and earth, and it was from that moment that Enlil became the patron of the Air and storms.
Enlil is known for his power over spirits and demons, and is believed to have been able to influence weather and atmospheric conditions. In fact, in Sumerian mythology, Enlil was the one who created the winds and storms to maintain order in the universe.
The Sumerians, in turn, revered Enlil as a god who protected his subjects from diseases and natural disasters. Furthermore, Enlil was regarded as the patron of industry and trade, as it was he who brought civilization to the lowlands and enabled them to develop cultures and economies.
Although Enlil is not an overly feared or mysterious god in Sumerian mythology, his importance as the father of the world and protector of the air is clearly established. His role in the creation and maintenance of the universe is central to Sumerian cosmogony, and he remains an important figure in Sumerian religion and culture.
An, Heaven and Earth.
An is closely linked to the creation and maintenance of the universe in Sumerian mythology. As the god of the sky, An is believed to have been responsible for the creation of the world and the separation between heaven and earth.
According to Sumerian mythology, An was the one who created the first man and woman, Adapa and Hammurabi, and sent them to Earth to prosper and settle. An is also known to be the god who protects the stars and the heavenly firmament.
Enlil, as the son of An, became the patron of Air and storms. In this sense, An and Enlil work together to maintain order in the universe and ensure the growth of crops and the well-being of communities.
An is also regarded as a benevolent god who protects people and animals, and is responsible for preserving harmony between natural processes and human life.
An is a fundamental god in Sumerian mythology, as he connects heaven with Earth and represents the creation and maintenance of the universe. His relationship with Enlil and other Sumerian gods is part of the Sumerian cosmogony and reflects the Sumerians’ search for stability and prosperity in their natural environment.
Inanna: The Goddess of War and Fruit.
Inanna is one of the most important goddesses in Sumerian mythology, and is known for being the goddess of war and fruit products.
Enanna is described as a powerful and beautiful goddess with red hair and white skin. She was considered the queen of Uruk, one of the most important cities in Sumeria. As the goddess of war, Inanna was revered for her military skills and her ability to protect the Sumerians from foreign attacks.
In contrast to this aggressive side, Inanna was also known as a goddess of fruit, especially oil and barley. Inanna is believed to have been responsible for the growth and harvest of these important agricultural products in Sumerian society.
Inanna is perhaps most famous for her myth with Dumuzi, the god of love and vegetation, in which the goddess is said to descend into the underworld to rescue Dumuzi from the clutches of Enlil. This story has been interpreted as a fertility and agricultural ritual, in which Inanna represents the life force of the universe.
Inanna is also known for her relationship with Gilgamesh, the legendary king of Uruk, with whom she is said to have had a love affair. In this mythology, Inanna is described as a goddess who helps Gilgamesh in his quest for immortality and provides him with advice and protection.
Inanna is a multifaceted Sumerian goddess who represents both military strength and agricultural fertility as well as beauty and love. Her mythology and cult have remained important in the ancient world and remain the subject of study and admiration today.
Ningishzida, the god of sacrifice
Ningishzida (also known as Nindukura) is a major Sumerian god who was associated with sacrifice, particularly animal sacrifice in honor of the gods and the protection of the city. He was a deity connected to the underworld and was believed to be responsible for maintaining ecclesiastical and social conditions in Sumerian society.
Ningishzida is said to have been a stern and demanding god, who expected devotion and respect from humans. According to Sumerian mythology, Ningishzida was one of the first gods created by the god Enlil, chief of the Sumerian gods.
In certain religious ceremonies, sacrifices were offered to Ningishzida to ensure the protection and prosperity of the city and its people. For example, in case of war or illness, offerings were made to this god to obtain his help and protection.
In Sumerian cosmogony, Ningishzida was regarded as the god who maintained the balance between life and death. He was one of the gods who helped create the world and was believed to have a certain connection with natural processes.
Ningishzida is an important Sumerian god associated with sacrifice and the protection of the city and its people. He was considered severe and demanding, but also powerful in maintaining the balance between life and death. His cult and mythology are still the subject of study by historians and religious scholars.
Ninhursag, the Mother of All Goddesses
Ninhursag (also known as Harnursag or Baba) is a major Sumerian goddess associated with nature, fertility, and motherhood. She was considered the mother of all Sumerian goddesses and was credited with protecting women and children.
Ninhursag was a powerful and beneficent deity associated with birth and growth. She was believed to be responsible for maternal protection and the healing of illnesses related to motherhood and fertility.
In Sumerian mythology, Ninhursag is described as a strong and protective goddess who defended women and children against oppression and danger. She was considered an important deity in Sumerian cosmogony, as she was believed to have helped Enlil create the world.
Ninhursag was also a goddess of vegetation and fertility. She was credited with protecting agricultural products and crops, reflecting her role in motherhood and healing.
In some Sumerian myths, Ninhursag is described as a goddess who had been raped by the god Enki, who was then punished for his action. This can be seen as a reflection of the importance placed on the protection and respect of women in Sumerian society.
Ninhursag is a powerful and beneficent Sumerian goddess associated with nature, fertility and motherhood. She was considered the mother of all Sumerian goddesses and was credited with protecting women and children from danger and oppression. Her cult and mythology are still the subject of study by historians and religious scholars.
Nanna (Nannar): the God of the Sun and the Moon
Nanna (also known as Nannar) is a major Sumerian god associated with the sun, moon, and astrology. He was considered the husband of Inanna, the goddess of love and war.
In Sumerian mythology, Nanna was described as a benevolent god who was in charge of the creation and maintenance of the universe. He was responsible for controlling the natural cycles of the moon and the sun, reflecting his role in agriculture and fertility.
Nanna was also considered the Protector of the Shepherd Beasts, as he was given the responsibility of protecting shepherds and flocks. In this sense, he was a god associated with nature and wildlife.
In the Sumerian religious context, Nanna was an important deity in astronomy and astrology. Her movements in the sky were believed to influence human events and people’s fate.
Nanna also had a role as a god of wisdom and justice. In some traditions, he was credited with the responsibility of passing just judgments and maintaining social and moral order.
Nanna is an important Sumerian god associated with the sun, moon, and astrology. He was considered a benevolent god, protector of shepherds and flocks, and had a central role in Sumerian astronomy and astrology.
Nammu: The God of the Primordial Waters.
Nammu (also known as Nunamse or Nanam) is a major Sumerian god associated with primordial water, birth, and creation. He was considered the Chief God of Creation and the Father of all sea gods and monsters.
In Sumerian mythology, Nammu was described as a primordial deity who emerged from chaos and was responsible for creating the world from water. He was believed to be the first god to emerge from the waters and to have founded the natural order and natural cycles.
Nammu was associated with agriculture and fertility, as he was responsible for giving life to the earth and making plants grow. In this sense, he was a god associated with fertility and birth.
In some traditions, Nammu was considered the husband of Ninhursag, the mother goddess, and together they had created the first humans and animals.
Nammu also played a role in Sumerian sciences, as his power over primordial waters was believed to influence climate and weather. In this sense, he was an important god for agriculture and human survival.
Nammu is a major Sumerian god associated with primordial water, birth, and creation. He was considered the Chief God of Creation and the Father of all sea gods and monsters.
Conclusion
The 7 most important Sumerian gods are:
- Inanna: Female goddess of sexuality, fertility and war
- Enlil: God of air, wind and storms, considered the creator of the world
- An: God of the sky, but with a role that was shared with Enlil in Sumerian mythologies.
- Utu: God of the sun and justice, important for resolving political disputes
- Ninhursag: She represented the mother of all goddesses, protector of women and children, and associated with life and the earth.
- Nanna/Nannar: God of the moon, astrology and wisdom, protector of shepherds and flocks
- Nammu: Goddess of primordial waters, symbol of the beginning of life, birth and creation
These gods were fundamental in the Sumerian religion and were associated with natural aspects such as agriculture, fertility, justice and creation. Through their worship and mythology, the Sumerians sought protection of the common good, peace and success in daily tasks.
Understanding these gods and their roles allows us to delve deeper into Sumerian culture and discover the value placed on nature, family and community.
