Place of Origin: Sumer (Uruk)
Origin Date: ~3000 BCE
Domain: Fertility, war, love.
Symbols: Lion, rosette, eight-pointed star.
Attributes: Love, power, war.
Religion: Mesopotamian Mythology
Description
Ishtar was a fierce and passionate goddess embodying contrasts—love and war, creation and destruction. She was a central figure in Mesopotamian rituals and mythology.
Relations: Daughter of Anu, sister of Ereshkigal.
Epithets: “Queen of Heaven,” “Morning Star.”
Equivalents: Greek: Aphrodite (love) and Athena (war), Roman: Venus.
Iconography: Depicted with lions and celestial motifs.
Worship Beliefs and Practices
Celebrated in grand temples like the Eanna in Uruk, with festivals honoring her dual nature.
Narratives
The Descent of Inanna (c. 2100 BCE)
Summary: This Sumerian myth recounts Inanna's journey to the underworld to visit her sister, Ereshkigal. She passes through seven gates, shedding her garments and symbols of power at each one. Stripped of her authority, she is judged and killed but later resurrected with the help of Enki. This story symbolizes cycles of life, death, and rebirth.
Inanna and the Huluppu Tree (c. 2000 BCE)
Summary: Inanna finds a huluppu tree and plans to use its wood to craft a throne and bed. However, the tree becomes inhabited by a serpent, a bird, and the demon Lilith. With the help of Gilgamesh, Inanna removes these creatures, reclaiming the tree and asserting her authority.
Inanna and Enki (c. 2000 BCE)
Summary: Inanna visits Enki, the god of wisdom, and tricks him into giving her the sacred "me" (divine decrees governing civilization). She takes them back to Uruk, establishing her city as a cultural and religious center. This myth highlights her cunning and ambition.
The Courtship of Inanna and Dumuzi (c. 2000 BCE)
Summary: This tale describes the romantic and symbolic union between Inanna and Dumuzi, the shepherd god. Their relationship represents fertility and the renewal of life, with themes of love, passion, and divine partnership.
The Epic of Gilgamesh (c. 2100 BCE)
Summary: In this Akkadian epic, Ishtar (Inanna) proposes marriage to Gilgamesh, but he rejects her, citing her history of mistreating lovers. Enraged, she sends the Bull of Heaven to punish him, but Gilgamesh and Enkidu defeat it. This story portrays her as both powerful and vengeful.
The Myth of Etana (c. 1800 BCE)
Summary: Ishtar plays a minor role in this myth, where she is invoked for fertility and guidance. The story focuses on Etana, a king seeking the plant of birth to produce an heir, and his journey to the heavens with the help of an eagle.
The Marriage of Ishtar and Tammuz (c. 2000 BCE)
Summary: This myth explores Ishtar's marriage to Tammuz (Dumuzi) and his subsequent death. Her grief and search for him in the underworld symbolize the seasonal cycle of fertility and decay.
Sacred Texts: "Descent of Inanna," c. 1900 BCE.