 Babylonian High-Mother-Goddess. Like Inanna, she is the goddess of fertility, love and war. Her cult was the most important one in ancient Babylon and Ishtar became under various names the most important Goddess of the Near-East and Western Asia. Taken from: http://thesecretmoongarden.ning.com/group/goddessesandgods/forum/the-goddess-ishtar-the-lightbringer The origin of this babylonian-assyrian main goddess was as a moon goddess with lower influence, but when the tribes arrived at the land of the sumerian kingdom, her cult reached the sumerian capital Uruk. The sumerian people identified Ishtar easily with their own goddess Inanna. After some time Ishtar became in the second millenium the highest and widest worshipped goddess of the Babylonians. The myths of Inanna became the myths of Ishtar: Ishtars reign was not dependant on a male consort, she reigned absolute on her own and united in all aspects of her femininity. Her position in the Babylonian pantheon was the highest, but her family relations are a bit confusing: Ishtar was daughter of the moon goddess Ningal and her consort Nanna (akk. Sin), who were the Citygods of Uruk. In other traditions she appears to be the daughter of the sky god Anu, later she also became his wife. She was also the sister of the sun god Utu/Marduk and the underworld goddess Ereschkigal ("Mistress of the great under"). She appeared in person wearing a zodiac belt together with hunting dogs like Diana or riding on a lion, her holy animal. She was the Queen of heaven (Scharrat Schame) and the mother, who had born the world yet still remained a virgin. Her consort or husband was Tammuz ( sum.: Dumuzi), river god of Euphrates and Tigris, who was meanwhile also her son and her brother. When the world began, Tammuz (faithful son) came together with Ishtar in the world. She bore him, she made love with him and she remained a virgin. When Tammuz died in the summer and all vegetation died with him, Ishtar was looking for him all over the world. She finally found him in the underworld and brought him back to life (see Celtic believe). Tammuz was reborn and the vegetation could flourish again. Then the ritual-festival of the "Holy Marriage" was celebrated at the time of the autumn equinox, when in the Near-East the first rain fell again. For the assyrian people she was mainly a war goddess (Lioness of the battle), but also the love and the sexual life belonged to her realm of influence. Moreover she was the Goddess of justice and healing. Bigger than the mountains am I, The Empress of the gods am I The Queen of heaven am I The earth's mistress am I. (translation of an old Babylonian text) This Akkadian/Babylonian Great Goddess represents a later and more complex development of the Sumerian Innana, and her son/lover Tammuz plays the role of the vegetation-god. She is not only an embodiment of sexuality and fertility, a "Lady of Battle" and a goddess of healing, but it is also she who bestowed the ancient kings with the right to rule over her/their people. Her fame reached into the Hittite and Hurrian lands of Anatolia, to Sumeria, Egypt and to the Assyrians. Here especially - in Assyria and Egypt - she was revered as a goddess of Battle and is depicted with bow, quiver and sword; her prowess is symbolised by her lioness-steed. In other sacred texts Ishtar is described as having "sweet lips" and a "beautiful figure" and it is clear that she takes much pleasure in love. Significantly, when she descends to the Netherworld all sexual activity ceases everywhere on earth. In this aspect her familiar and symbolic animal is the dove. Ishtar was also thought to rule the menstrual/ovarian cycle. In the Old Testament her worship is regarded as an abomination, and it is Ishtar's worshipers and her ishtarishtu (sacred prostitutes) who were to be found even at the doors of the Hebrew god's great temple, much to the consternation of his priests and prophets. As well as being renowned for her powers of creation, divine rulership, prophesy and desire, Ishtar was also regarded as a healer and we know that her effigy once was transported all the way to Egypt in order to heal the then sick Amenhotep III. Praise of Ishtar Praise the goddess, the most awesome of the goddesses. Let one revere the mistress of the peoples, the greatest of the Igigi. Praise Ishtar, the most awesome of the goddesses. Let us revere the queen of women, the greatest of the Igigi. She is clothed in pleasure and love. She is laden with vitality, charm, and voluptuousness. Ishtar is clothed in pleasure and love. She is laden with vitality, charm, and voluptuousness. In lips she is sweet; life is in her mouth. At her appearance rejoicing becomes full. She is glorious; veils are thrown over her head. Her figure is beautiful; her eyes are brilliant. The goddess - with her there is counsel. The fate of everything she holds in her hand. At her glance there is created joy, Power, magnificence, the protecting deity and guardian spirit. She dwells in, she pays heed to compassion and friendliness. Besides, agreeableness she truly possesses. Be it slave, unattached girl, or mother, she preserves (her). One calls on her; among women one names her name. Who - to her greatness who can be equal? Strong, exalted, splendid are her decrees. Ishtar - to her greatness who can be equal? Strong, exalted, splendid are her decrees. She is sought after among the gods; extraordinary is her station. Respected is her word; it is supreme over them. Ishtar among the gods, extraordinary is her station. Respected is her word; it is supreme over them. She is their queen; they continually cause her commands to be executed. All of them bow down to her. They receive her light before her. Women and men indeed revere her. In their assembly her word is powerful; it is dominating. Before Anum their king she fully supports them. She rests in intelligence, cleverness, (and) wisdom. They take counsel together, she and her lord. Indeed they occupy the throne room together. In the divine chamber, the dwelling of joy, Before them the gods take their places. To their utterances their attention is turned. The king their favorite, beloved of their hearts, Magnificently offers to them his pure sacrifices. Ammiditana, as the pure offering of his hands, Brings before them fat oxen and gazelles. From Anum, her consort, she has been pleased to ask for him An enduring, a long life. Many years of living, to Ammiditana She has granted, Ishtar has decided to give. By her orders she has subjected to him The four world regions at his feet; And the total of all peoples She has decided to attach them to his yoke. (from an Akkadian hymn to Ishtar, translated by Ferris J. Stephens: Man, Myth and Magic. Vol.13.) It was written in the latter part of the First Dynasty of Babylon, approximately 1600 BC. 
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Gingko Golden Splendor in Guanin, Goddess of mercy, temple in China.  |
