Often in mythologies the deities related to the moon are not considered to play a significant role in their respective pantheons. In most cases the deities related to the moon is associated with goddesses because of its feminine and soft attributes. But in all periods of Mesopotamian history the moon god was regarded as a major deity. He is mostly identified by the name Nanna which has the meaning "the illuminator".
Other names such as Nannar Nanna-Suen Sin Asimbabbar Namrasit and Inbu are also used to identify the god. Unlike in other mythologies Nanna is considered a very powerful god. Some sources especially those found from the reign of Nabonidus mention Nanna-as the king of gods. Originally the god was only associated with the full moon. But later he was associated with all phases of the moon. It is with this association that the god was identified by the name Su-en which has the meaning "the crescent moon". Later Su-en has been contracted to Sin.
The moon was considered more important in the early period of the Mesopotamian settlements because early humans depended mainly on hunting. Hunting was mostly done-during the night in which the moon assisted them by illuminating the dark night. Also traveling was mainly done-during the night since it would help them to avoid enemies-and predators.
The moon also helped them to keep track of the time of the month. The sun only became more important once the people settled down and began to practice agriculture. Nanna is also considered the god of wisdom. He would share his wisdom with other gods who wish to learn and to humans through the priests of Nanna.
Nanna is also associated with cattle herds and dairy products. It is assumed that the god and cattle are linked because the horn of a bull looks a lot like the crescent moon. For this reason Nanna is frequently described as a shepherd. In these descriptions the stars are referred to as his herd.
This connection with the livestock became one of the primary reasons for the popularity of the deity since the Mesopotamian people heavily depended on the livestock because of their barren land. It was believed that Nanna bestowed fertility and prosperity on the cowherds governing the rise of the waters the growth of reeds the increase of the herd and therefore the quality of dairy products produced.
Nanna is considered to be the son of the sky god Enlil and the grain goddess Ninlil. In fact Nanna was the firstborn of the two gods. It is said that the consort of Enlil was Ningal but on seeing Ninlil bathing in a river the sky god instantly fell in love. He then seduces her. On hearing this other gods banished Enlil to the underworld for committing an unholy act.
Ninlil followed him to the underworld after learning she is pregnant with Nanna’s child. So it is said that Ninlil gave birth to Nanna in the underworld. As for the story of Enlil and Ninlil the two gods also became the parents of Nergal the god of war and death: Ninazu the god of the underworld: and Enbilulu the god of the irrigations. Thereby these deities became the brothers of Nanna. But later sources emphasize that Nergal is the twin brother of Nanna while Ninazu and Enbilulu are sons of different deities. It is also mentioned that the two courtiers of Enlil Suzianna and Ninimma nursed Nanna.
Even though Enlil and Ninlil were usually regarded as Nanna’s parents there are some records that claim Ahnu who is also another sky god is Nanna’s father. As for the Babylonians Nanna was the son of the creator god Marduk. In the beginning of the world Marduk created the moon himself and placed him in the sky. Ningal is said to be the consort of Nanna and he has fathered many important deities. Interestingly the sun god Utu or sometimes identified by the name Shamash is considered the son of Nanna and Ningal.
This is a significant difference in Mesopotamian mythology since most mythologies would view the sun as the supreme deity and not as a descendent of the moon. The moon god fathering the sun god alone brings out the importance of Nanna in the Mesopotamian pantheon. Goddess Inanna who is also identified by the name Ishtar is also considered to be the daughter of Nanna and Ningal. INanna is the goddess of the morning star or planet Venus.
The three gods Nanna Uta and Inanna are considered an important triad in the Mesopotamian pantheon. In this trinity the moon held the central position. However later on it could be seen that Inanna became the goddess who play a more important role in the triad as she rose to the key position among the Mesopotamian goddesses.
With the association of the god to the moon most of Nanna’s depictions are associated with the moon most noticeably the crescent moon. In some Nanna is represented as a seated bearded man with a crescent moon above him. Sometimes Nanna is portrayed as riding a winged bull. In many inscriptions Nanna is referred to as the number 30 because the average number of days in a lunar month is 30. Also Nanna is sometimes portrayed as riding the crescent moon as a boat across the sky. Sin was represented as an old man with a flowing beard wearing a headdress made of four horns.
The bull is not the only animal that is associated with the god but also the lion dragon. A lion dragon is a mythical creature with the head of a lion and the body of a dragon often considered to symbolize strength and power. So with these aspects the lion dragon form of Nanna describes the power of the god in attracting good fortune and warding off evil spirits. Also during the time of a lunar eclipse the god is believed to take the lion dragon form to fight off the demons who block the light of the moon or try to steal the moon as for some legends.
Nanna is sometimes considered to have dominion in the underworld as well. This is justified by the fact that Nanna was born in the underworld. Because he’s also the god of wisdom Nanna is considered to give better judgment than any other god. So he would visit the underworld to judge the deceased souls. during this period when Nanna is in the underworld the moon disappears from the sky. This is believed to be the reason for the new moon.
Nanna is also associated with time. He is believed to be the keeper of time and the guardian of the future. It is said Nanna has knowledge of the past the present and the future. Nanna could see the past and the destiny that awaits humans. He would offer counsel to his devoted followers to alter their future for the better.
The moon god played a significantly important role in the pantheon and temples dedicated to the god were found throughout Mesopotamia. Of those temples the most sacred and significant temple was the great temple of Yoor and yoor was even considered as the city of Nanna. The role of the high priestess which is also known as an n priestess of the main temple of the god was performed by the daughters of kings. These priestesses were even given special residences known as Gipar. Enheduanna the daughter of Sargon the Great who was the first ruler of the Akkadian Empire was a particularly famous n priestess.
Some of the later n priestesses known from records include Enmenana daughter of Sargon’s grandson Naram-Sin of Akkad: Enanatuma daughter of Ishme-Dagan of Isin: and Enanedu sister of Rim-Sin of Larsa. But later on the institution of the n priestess declined. the last neo-Babylonian king Nabonidus showed a particular interest in Nanna and showed a greater devotion.
He revived the institution of the en priestess likely relying on inscriptions from the reign of Rim-Sin of Larsa and placed his daughter in this role. She was also given the name en-nigaldi-Nanna which means "the priestess requested by Nanna". Nabonidus also viewed Nanna as the supreme god in the pantheon. Inscriptions found during the period of Nabonidus refer to Nanna as "the lord of the gods" "the one who possessed Enlilship," " the one who possessed Anuship" and " the one who possessed Eaship."
It is interesting to see the prominence the Mesopotamian mythology has given to the moon over the sun while in many other mythologies this would not be the case. even though Nanna was one of the oldest gods his appearance was seen in the Mesopotamian region after the fall of the civilization. This suggests the dominance and popularity of the deity.
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