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Ningishzida

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Ningishzida
𒀭𒊩𒌆𒄑𒍣𒁕
Ningishzida, with snakes emanating from his shoulders, on a relief of Gudea, c. 2000 BCE
SymbolSnake[1], mushussu
ParentsNinazu and Ningirida
ConsortGeshtinanna
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Ningishzida (sum: 𒀭𒊩𒌆𒄑𒍣𒁕, dnin-g̃iš-zid-da) is a Mesopotamian deity of vegetation and the underworld.

Name

Thorkild Jacobsen proposed that the Sumerian name Ningishzida can be explained as "lord of the good tree."[2] This translation is accepted by other Assyriologists.[3]

While "nin" can be translated as "lady" in some contexts, it was neutral in Sumerian and can be found in the names of many deities, both male (Ningishzida, Ninazu, Ninurta etc.) and female (Ninlil, Ninkasi etc.).[4]

Ningishzida was also known under the name Gishbanda ("little tree").[5]

Functions

Ningishzida's titles connect him to plants and agriculture. He's frequently mentioned in connection with grass, which he was believed to provide for the sake of domestic animals. The "tree" in his name might be vine according to some Assyriologists and an association between this god and alcoholic beverages (specifically wine)is well attested; one text mentions him alongside the beer goddess Ninkasi, and one of his titles was "lord of the innkeepers." The death of vegetation was associated with his annual travel to the underworld. Like his father Ninazu, he was also associated with snakes, including the mythical mushussu, ushumgal and bashmu and in one case Nirah. He was also an underworld god, and in this role was known as the "chair bearer of the underworld." In some contexts he was additionally a warrior god, associated with victory and as a result with the goddess Irnina, the personification of it. His various functions are aspects of his perception as a "reliable god" in Mesopotamian texts.[6][7]

Assyriologist Frans Wiggermann considers him one of the members of the group of "Transtigridian snake gods" who according to him shared a connection with the underworld, justice, vegetation and snakes.[8]

Cult

The worship of Ningishzida is attested for the first time in the Early Dynastic III period. Lagash, Girsu, Gishbanda (likely a settlement whose tutelary deity he was; Sumerian temple hymns indicate that it was likely a rural location[9]), Ur, Eshnunna, Nippur, Uruk, Kuara, Umma (where he received offerings during a Dumuzi festival) and Isin are attested as locations where he was venerated; however, only in Uruk he remained prominent after the Old Babylonian period, and he rarely appears in personal names, indicating his populatity in everyday religion was likely small. However, Gudea, patesi of Lagash in the 21st century BC (short chronology) was nonetheless particularly deeply involved in the cult of Ningishzida, and regarded him as his personal god.[10] A famous green steatite vase from the Louvre carved for him was dedicated to this god: "To the god Ningiszida, his god, Gudea, Ensi (governor) of Lagash, for the prolongation of his life, has dedicated this."

Divine genealogy

Ningishzida was the son of Ninazu and his wife Ningiridda. References to Ningishzida as a descendant of Anu are probably meant to indicate the belief in a line consisting out of Anu, Enlil, Ninazu and finally Ningishzida. Other children of Ninazu, such as the goddess Amashilama, were referred to as Ningishzida's siblings. [11][12] One of the only references to goddesses breastfeeding their children describes Ningirida and her son Ningishzida.[13]

His wife is variously identified as Azimua[14] or Dumuzi's sister Geshtinanna.[15] Azimua was however also a title of Geshtinanna, especially when she was viewed as Ningishzida's wife.[16] The Geshtianna tradition had its origin in Lagash, and in seals from that city she is sometimes depicted alongside a mushussu, symbol of her husband, to indicate they're a couple.[17]

Ningishzida's sukkal was Alla,[18] a minor underworld god,[19] depicted as a bald bearded man, without a horned crown.[20]

Mythology

He appears in Adapa's myth as one of the two doorkeeper of Anu's celestial palace, alongside Dumuzi.[6] This myth appears to indicate that these two gods are present in heaven rather than underground when they're dead; however other Sumerian and Akkadian myths describe Ningishzida's journey to the underground. Little is known about the circumstances of his annual return, though one text indicates a son of Ereshkigal was responsible for ordering it.[21] A lamentation text known as "In the Desert by the Early Grass" lists him as one of the gods whose temporary death is to be lamented, much like Dumuzi's. The absence of both of them took place each year between mid-summer and mid-winter.[22] Some lamentations go as far as regarding them as one and the same.[23]

  • Serpent god Ningishzida on the libation vase of Gudea, circa 2100 BCE
    Serpent god Ningishzida on the libation vase of Gudea, circa 2100 BCE
  • The "libation vase of Gudea" with the dragon Mušḫuššu, dedicated to Ningishzida (21st century BC short chronology). The caduceus (right) is interpreted as depicting the god himself. Inscription: "To the god Ningiszida, his god, Gudea, Ensi (governor) of Lagash, for the prolongation of his life, has dedicated this"
    The "libation vase of Gudea" with the dragon Mušḫuššu, dedicated to Ningishzida (21st century BC short chronology). The caduceus (right) is interpreted as depicting the god himself. Inscription: "To the god Ningiszida, his god, Gudea, Ensi (governor) of Lagash, for the prolongation of his life, has dedicated this"
  • Name of God Ningishzida, on a statue of Ur-Ningirsu.
    Name of God Ningishzida, on a statue of Ur-Ningirsu.
  • Seal of Gudea, led by Ningishzida, snakes emerging from his shoulders
    Seal of Gudea, led by Ningishzida, snakes emerging from his shoulders
  • Detail, headless statue dedicated to the Sumerian deity Ningishzida, 2600-2370 BCE. Iraq Museum
    Detail, headless statue dedicated to the Sumerian deity Ningishzida, 2600-2370 BCE. Iraq Museum

See also

References

  1. ^ J. M. Asher-Greve, J. G. Westenholz, Goddesses in Context: On Divine Powers, Roles, Relationships and Gender in Mesopotamian Textual and Visual Sources, 2013, p. 204
  2. ^ Sumerian.org Q&A#20 (Ningishzida)
  3. ^ F. Wiggermann, Nin-giszida [in:] Reallexikon der Assyriologie und vorderasiatischen Archäologie vol. 9, 1998, p. 368
  4. ^ J. M. Asher-Greve, J. G. Westenholz, Goddesses in Context: On Divine Powers, Roles, Relationships and Gender in Mesopotamian Textual and Visual Sources, 2013, p. 6-7
  5. ^ F. Wiggermann, Nin-giszida [in:] Reallexikon der Assyriologie und vorderasiatischen Archäologie vol. 9, 1998, p. 369
  6. ^ a b Stone, Adam (2016). "Ningišzida (god)". Ancient Mesopotamian Gods and Goddesses, Oracc and the UK Higher Education Academy.
  7. ^ F. Wiggermann, Nin-giszida [in:] Reallexikon der Assyriologie und vorderasiatischen Archäologie vol. 9, 1998, p. 369-371
  8. ^ F. Wiggermann, Transtigridian Snake Gods [in:] I. L. Finkel, M. J. Geller (eds.), Sumerian Gods and their Representations, 1997, p. 47-48
  9. ^ F. Wiggermann, Transtigridian Snake Gods [in:] I. L. Finkel, M. J. Geller (eds.), Sumerian Gods and their Representations, 1997, p. 40
  10. ^ F. Wiggermann, Nin-giszida [in:] Reallexikon der Assyriologie und vorderasiatischen Archäologie vol. 9, 1998, p. 372-373
  11. ^ F. Wiggermann, Nin-giszida [in:] Reallexikon der Assyriologie und vorderasiatischen Archäologie vol. 9, 1998, p. 368-369
  12. ^ F. Wiggermann, Nin-azu [in:] Reallexikon der Assyriologie und vorderasiatischen Archäologie vol. 9, 1998, p. 330-331
  13. ^ J. M. Asher-Greve, J. G. Westenholz, Goddesses in Context: On Divine Powers, Roles, Relationships and Gender in Mesopotamian Textual and Visual Sources, 2013, p. 144
  14. ^ Sumerian Mythology: Chapter II. "Myths of Origins"
  15. ^ Stephen Bertman, Handbook to Life in Ancient Mesopotamia. p. 123.
  16. ^ W. G. Lambert, Theogony of Dunnu [in:] Babylonian Creation Myths, 2013, p. 389
  17. ^ J. M. Asher-Greve, J. G. Westenholz, Goddesses in Context: On Divine Powers, Roles, Relationships and Gender in Mesopotamian Textual and Visual Sources, 2013, p. 206-207
  18. ^ F. Wiggermann, The Staff of Ninsubura, JEOL 29, p. 8
  19. ^ W. G. Lambert, Babylonian Creation Myths, 2013, p. 223
  20. ^ F. Wiggermann, Nin-giszida [in:] Reallexikon der Assyriologie und vorderasiatischen Archäologie vol. 9, 1998, p. 369
  21. ^ F. Wiggermann, Nin-giszida [in:] Reallexikon der Assyriologie und vorderasiatischen Archäologie vol. 9, 1998, p. 370
  22. ^ F. Wiggermann, Transtigridian Snake Gods [in:] I. L. Finkel, M. J. Geller (eds.), Sumerian Gods and their Representations, 1997, p. 41-42
  23. ^ W. G. Lambert, Theogony of Dunnu [in:] Babylonian Creation Myths, 2013, p. 388
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