Sumerian and Babylonian Gods
At the top of the stele are the symbols of the three major gods of Mesopotamia reading from left to right, the crescent moon of Sin, the eight-pointed star of Ishtar and the radiant four-pointed star or solar disk of Shamash. Beneath, to the same register are the symbols of the senior gods: the two alters with horned crowns for An and Enlil, the fish-goat ibex symbol and ram symbolize Enki; the fourth emblem depicts the umbilical cord and knife to sever it, the symbol of the mother goddess Ninhursag. SECOND REGISTER, these are the deities of war. The winged lion and the mace with panther heads are Nergal, god of the underworld; the vulture and carved weapons symbolizes Zabada, the god of hand-to-hand fighting; Ninurta is represented by the grubs and curved weapon. THIRD REGISTER, the major gods of Babylon. Marduk, the chief deity is represented by the dragon and the triangular tool or Nabu, a son of Marduk and patron of scribes sod god of wisdom is symbolized by the tablet on the sitar. The third god is Cula who is guarded by the sacred hound; she was the goddess of healing. FOURTH REGISTER, the bull and altar with the forked lightning represents Adad; the deity symbolized by the ram and chisel is not identified; the lamp probably represents Nusku; the plough is Ningirsu and the bird perched on a post may be Sbuqamuma a local deity. The other bird may he Shimaliya the divine consort. FIFTH REGISTER, the altar with a sheaf may be Nisaba, originally a corn goddess. The scorpion is the emblem of Ishtara. The horned serpent is probably Ningizida, son of Enki and god of architects and engineers. |