Place of Origin: Ur (Mesopotamia)
Origin Date: ~3000 BCE
Domain: Lunar phases, navigation.
Symbols: Crescent moon, bull.
Attributes: Time, guidance.
Religion: Mesopotamian Mythology
Description
Nanna, the moon god, symbolized time, cycles, and celestial navigation. He was revered for his role in maintaining cosmic order and aiding in agriculture and trade through the moon’s phases.
Relations: Son of Enlil and Ninlil.
Epithets: “Lord of the Moon,” “Divine Navigator.”
Equivalents: Greek: Selene, Roman: Luna.
Iconography: Depicted with crescent moon motifs or riding a bull.
Worship Beliefs and Practices
Temples dedicated to Nanna include the Ziggurat of Ur.
Narratives
Featured in hymns celebrating his moonlit guidance and influence on natural rhythms.
Enlil and Ninlil (c. 2100 BCE)
Summary: This Sumerian myth recounts the story of Nanna's conception. Enlil seduces Ninlil by the riverbank, leading to Nanna's birth. The tale explores themes of divine relationships and the origins of key deities in the Mesopotamian pantheon.
Hymns to Nanna (c. 2000 BCE)
Summary: Numerous hymns praise Nanna's role as the moon god and his influence on time, fertility, and navigation. These hymns highlight his importance in the daily lives of Mesopotamians and his connection to the ziggurat at Ur.
The Journey of Nanna to Nippur (c. 2000 BCE)
Summary: This myth describes Nanna's ritual journey to visit his father, Enlil, at Nippur. The story symbolizes the renewal of divine favor and the agricultural cycle, as Nanna brings offerings of dairy products from his worshippers.
The Marriage of Nanna and Ningal (c. 2000 BCE)
Summary: This tale celebrates Nanna's union with Ningal, the goddess of reeds and fertility. Their marriage represents the harmony between celestial and earthly forces, and their children include Utu (Shamash) and Inanna (Ishtar).
The Myth of Nanna and the Lunar Cycle (c. 2000 BCE)
Summary: This myth explains the phases of the moon as Nanna's journey through the heavens. It connects his waxing and waning to the cycles of life and time, emphasizing his role as a cosmic guide.
Sacred Texts: Lunar hymns, c. 2000 BCE.