Mesopotamian Goddesses
Welcome to our Divine Feminine Series, where we delve into the rich tapestry of Mesopotamian goddesses, celebrating their power, wisdom, and sacred presence in the ancient world. In the cradle of civilization, Mesopotamia gave rise to a pantheon of divine beings, among them, a diverse array of goddesses who embodied the essence of the divine feminine. From the nurturing earth mothers to the fierce warriors, these goddesses held sway over the realms of creation, fertility, love, and war, shaping the beliefs, rituals, and daily lives of ancient Mesopotamians. Join us on a journey through the myths, symbols, and stories of Mesopotamian goddesses as we explore their roles and significance within the ancient pantheon. From the powerful Inanna, queen of heaven and goddess of love and war, to the wise Ninhursag, mother goddess of the earth, each goddess offers a unique perspective on the divine feminine and its enduring influence on human culture and spirituality. Through insightful articles, engaging narratives, and captivating artwork, our Divine Feminine Series invites you to discover the timeless wisdom and sacred beauty of Mesopotamian goddesses. Whether you are a scholar, a seeker of spiritual wisdom, or simply curious about the ancient world, we invite you to explore the mysteries of the divine feminine as embodied by the goddesses of Mesopotamia. Join us as we journey into the heart of ancient Mesopotamia and awaken to the divine feminine within. Welcome to the Divine Feminine Series: Mesopotamian Goddesses.
Goddesses
Astarte
Goddess of: Love, fertility, and war, worshipped in ancient Mesopotamia and neighboring regions.
Pronunciation:
The pronunciation of "Astarte" is as follows:
a-STAR-tee
Here’s a breakdown:
a: Pronounced like the "a" in "about"
STAR: Pronounced like the word "star"
tee: Pronounced like the letter "T"
So, together, it's pronounced "a-STAR-tee".
Ereshkigal
Goddess of: The underworld, ruling over the realm of the dead in Mesopotamian mythology.
Pronunciation:
The pronunciation of "Ereshkigal" is as follows:
Eh-resh-KEE-gal
Here’s a breakdown:
Eh: Pronounced like the "e" in "bed"
resh: Pronounced like "resh" in "refresh"
KEE: Pronounced like the "key" in "keyboard"
gal: Pronounced like "gal" in "galaxy"
So, together, it’s pronounced "Eh-resh-KEE-gal".
Inanna
Goddess of: Heaven and goddess of love, fertility, and warfare, one of the most prominent deities in Mesopotamian mythology.
Pronunciation:
The pronunciation of "Inanna" is as follows:
Ee-NAH-nah
Here’s a breakdown:
Ee: Pronounced like the letter "E" or the "ee" in "see"
NAH: Pronounced like the "nah" in "banana"
nah: Pronounced the same as the first "NAH"
So, together, it's pronounced "Ee-NAH-nah".
Ishtar
Goddess of: Love, beauty, fertility, and war. Worshipped in ancient Mesopotamia and later assimilated into other cultures.
Pronunciation:
The pronunciation of "Ishtar" is as follows:
ISH-tar
Here’s a breakdown:
ISH: Pronounced like the "ish" in "fish"
tar: Pronounced like the "tar" in "star"
So, together, it's pronounced "ISH-tar".
Ki
Goddess of: Earth- considered the mother of the gods in Mesopotamian mythology.
Pronunciation:
The pronunciation of the name "Ki," referring to the Sumerian earth goddess, is generally straightforward. It is pronounced as:
Kee (rhymes with "see" or "tree")
The pronunciation is short and simple, reflecting the single syllable of the name.
Kubaba
Goddess of: Healing, childbirth, and protection, worshipped in ancient Mesopotamia.
Pronunciation:
The pronunciation of the name "Kubaba" can be broken down into syllables for clarity:
Koo-BAH-bah
Koo: like "coo" in "cool"
BAH: with a short "a" sound, as in "father"
bah: similar to the first "bah" but slightly softer
Emphasis is typically placed on the second syllable: Koo-BAH-bah.
Nammu
Goddess of: Primordial goddess of the sea, associated with creation and the source of all life in Mesopotamian mythology.
Pronunciation:
Nammu is pronounced as "NAH-moo."
Here's a simple guide:
NAH: The "a" is pronounced like the "a" in "father."
moo: The "u" is pronounced like the "oo" in "moon."
So, it's NAH-moo.
Nanshe
Goddess of: Social justice, prophecy, and fertility, worshipped in the city of Lagash in ancient Mesopotamia.
Pronunciation:
Nanshe is pronounced as "NAHN-shee".
Here's a simple guide:
NAHN: The "a" is pronounced like the "a" in "father."
shee: The "she" is pronounced like "she" in English, with a long "ee" sound.
So, it's NAHN-shee.
Ninhursag
Goddess of: Mother goddess and consort of Enki, associated with fertility, childbirth, and the nurturing of life in Mesopotamian mythology.
Pronunciation:
The pronunciation of Goddess Ninhursag is typically rendered as:
Nin-HUR-sag
Here's a breakdown to help with pronunciation:
Nin: Sounds like "nin" in "ninny"
HUR: Emphasize this syllable, sounds like "her" in "herbal"
sag: Sounds like "sag" in "saga"
Link to PDF:
Ningal
Goddess of: Reeds and marshes, associated with fertility and motherhood in Mesopotamian mythology.
Pronunciation:
The pronunciation of Goddess Ningal is typically rendered as:
NIN-gal
Here's a breakdown to help with pronunciation:
NIN: Sounds like "nin" in "ninety"
gal: Sounds like "gahl" with a short 'a' as in "gall"
So, you would say it as "NIN-gahl".
Link to PDF:
Ninisina
Goddess of: Healing and medicine, worshipped in ancient Mesopotamia for her healing powers and protection.
Pronunciation:
The pronunciation of Goddess Ninisina is typically rendered as:
Nih-nee-SEE-nah
Here's a breakdown to help with pronunciation:
Nih: Sounds like "ni" in "nick"
nee: Pronounced like the word "knee"
SEE: Emphasize this syllable, sounds like "see" in "see"
nah: Sounds like "nah" in "nah"
So, you would say it as "Nih-nee-SEE-nah".
Link to PDF:
Ninkasi
Goddess of: Beer and brewing, worshipped in ancient Sumer as the patroness of brewers and beer drinkers.
Pronunciation:
The pronunciation of the name Goddess Ninkasi is as follows:
Nin-KAH-see
Here’s a breakdown:
Nin: pronounced like "nin" in "nineteen."
KAH: pronounced with a long "a" sound, like "car."
see: pronounced like "see" in "see."
So, putting it together: Nin-KAH-see.
Link to PDF:
Nintur
Goddess of: Earth and fertility- associated with agriculture and the nurturing of life in Mesopotamian mythology.
Pronunciation:
The pronunciation of the name Nintur is as follows:
Nin-TOOR
Here’s a breakdown:
Nin: pronounced like "nin" in "nineteen."
TOOR: pronounced like "tour" in "tourist."
So, putting it together: Nin-TOOR.
Link to PDF
Ninlil
Goddess of: Air and wind, consort of Enlil, worshipped in ancient Mesopotamia as a protective deity.
Pronunciation:
The pronunciation of the name Goddess Ninlil is as follows:
NIN-lil
Here’s a breakdown:
NIN: pronounced like "nin" in "nineteen."
lil: pronounced like "lil" in "lily."
So, putting it together: NIN-lil.
Link to PDF
Tiamat
Goddess of: Primordial goddess of the ocean, chaos, and creation, depicted as a monstrous sea serpent in Mesopotamian mythology.
Pronunciation:
The pronunciation of the name Goddess Tiamat is as follows:
TEE-uh-maht
Here’s a breakdown:
TEE: pronounced like "tea."
uh: pronounced like the "a" in "sofa."
maht: pronounced like "mat" with a long "a" sound.
So, putting it together: TEE-uh-maht.
Link to PDF: