Ninhursag

Ninhursag
𒀭𒊩𒌆𒄯𒊕
Ninhursag; 𒀭𒊩𒌆𒄯𒊕
Mother goddess, goddess of fertility, mountains, and rulers
	Akkadian cylinder seal impression depicting a vegetation goddess, possibly Ninhursag, sitting on a throne surrounded by worshippers (circa 2350–2150 BC)
Symbol	Omega-like symbol
Personal information
Siblings	Enlil, Enki, Adad
Consort	Šulpae; Enlil (only in Lagash and other early traditions); Enki (only in Enki and Ninhursag through syncretism with Damgalnuna);
Children	Ashgi, Panigingarra, Lisin, Egime, and Lillu (with Šulpae); fifteen other children, consisting of Atugula, Atutur, Ninšar, NIG-gumaḫa, Burukaš, Zarzaru, Zurmuzarmu, Nin-BUR.SAL, Šazumaḫ, Ušumšasu, Naĝaršaga, Anmea, Amaea, UR-guru, Urra, and Amaniranna; Ninurta (only in Lagash and other early traditions);
Equivalents
Elamite equivalent	Kiririsha
Syrian equivalent	Shalash
Hittite equivalent	Ḫannaḫanna
Ugaritic equivalent	Athirat

Ninḫursaĝ (Sumerian: 𒀭𒎏𒄯𒊕 Ninḫarsang; ^DNIN-ḪAR.SAG̃) sometimes transcribed Ninursag,^[3] Ninḫarsag,^[4]^[5]^[6]^[7]^[8] or Ninḫursaĝa,^[9] also known as Damgalnuna or Ninmah, was the ancient Sumerian mother goddess of the mountains, and one of the seven great deities of Sumer. She is known earliest as a nurturing or fertility goddess. Temple hymn sources identify her as the "true and great lady of heaven"^{[This quote needs a citation]} (possibly in relation to her standing on the mountain) and kings of Lagash were "nourished by Ninhursag's milk".^{[This quote needs a citation]} She is the tutelary deity to several Sumerian leaders.

Her most well known myths are Enki and Ninhursag describing her dealings with Enki resulting from his sexual exploits, and Enki and Ninmah a creation myth wherein the two deities compete to create humans. She is referenced or makes brief appearances in others as well, most notably as the mother of Ninurta in the Anzu Epic.

^ Steinkeller 2019, p. 988.
^ ^a ^b Krebernik 1997, p. 507.
^ Britannica, The Editors of Encyclopaedia. "Ninhursag". Encyclopedia Britannica, 2 May 2018, https://www.britannica.com/topic/Ninhursag. Accessed 28 April 2022.
^ King & Hall (2008), p. 117.
^ Possehl (1979), p. 127.
^ Clay (1997), p. 100.
^ Budge (2003), p. 233.
^ Edwardes & Spence (2003), p. 126.
^ Asher-Greve & Westenholz 2013, p. 7.

[FOOTNOTESteinkeller2019988-1] Steinkeller 2019, p. 988.

[FOOTNOTEKrebernik1997507-2] Krebernik 1997, p. 507.

[3] Britannica, The Editors of Encyclopaedia. "Ninhursag". Encyclopedia Britannica, 2 May 2018, https://www.britannica.com/topic/Ninhursag. Accessed 28 April 2022.

[FOOTNOTEKingHall2008117-4] King & Hall (2008), p. 117.

[FOOTNOTEPossehl1979127-5] Possehl (1979), p. 127.

[FOOTNOTEClay1997100-6] Clay (1997), p. 100.

[FOOTNOTEBudge2003233-7] Budge (2003), p. 233.

[FOOTNOTEEdwardesSpence2003126-8] Edwardes & Spence (2003), p. 126.

[FOOTNOTEAsher-GreveWestenholz20137-9] Asher-Greve & Westenholz 2013, p. 7.

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