The Iconography of the Goddess Ninhursag
This communication discusses the enigmatic representation of a Mesopotamian birth-goddess that appears on a group of Old Babylonian clay plaques. The goddess, who may be identified as Ninhursag/Ninmah, is shown offering bread to three infants. On the bottom, at either side of the goddess, a crouchin...
| Main Author: | |
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| Format: | Electronic Article |
| Language: | English |
| Check availability: | HBZ Gateway |
| Interlibrary Loan: | Interlibrary Loan for the Fachinformationsdienste (Specialized Information Services in Germany) |
| Published: |
2025
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| In: |
Journal of ancient Near Eastern religions
Year: 2025, Volume: 25, Issue: 1, Pages: 97-113 |
| Further subjects: | B
Hunger
B Famine B Ninmah B Fertility B Ninhursag B “omega” symbol B Mesopotamian birth-goddesses |
| Online Access: |
Volltext (lizenzpflichtig) Volltext (lizenzpflichtig) |
| Summary: | This communication discusses the enigmatic representation of a Mesopotamian birth-goddess that appears on a group of Old Babylonian clay plaques. The goddess, who may be identified as Ninhursag/Ninmah, is shown offering bread to three infants. On the bottom, at either side of the goddess, a crouching, emaciated male is depicted. Scholars have formerly identified these two figures as either kūbu demons or human fetuses. It is argued here that, instead, these two individuals are to be explained as the victims of famine. Accordingly, it is concluded that these plaques depict the goddess as both a life-giving and nourishing motherly figure and a source of hunger and destruction. Textual data illustrating this dual nature of Ninhursag/Ninmah are cited in support of this interpretation. |
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| ISSN: | 1569-2124 |
| Contains: | Enthalten in: Journal of ancient Near Eastern religions
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| Persistent identifiers: | DOI: 10.1163/15692124-12341353 |
