Ancient Mythology: Inanna's Descent and Rituals

Unveil the captivating tales of Inanna's descent to the Underworld, her cosmic significance, and the intricate rituals connected to cosmic hieros gamos. Dive into the realms of animal/human sexuality, the language of sex, and the regeneration myths associated with deities like Persephone and Baal. Witness the interplay of cosmic forces, power struggles, and the cyclical nature of divine interventions. Unravel the profound symbolism embedded within the narratives of Inanna, Dumuzi, and their eternal dance between life and death.

• Ancient Mythology
• Inanna
• Rituals
• Cosmic Forces
• Regeneration Myths

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Uploaded on Feb 26, 2025 | 0 Views

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Presentation Transcript

1. INANNA (Lectures 10-11)

2. game/hunt Magna Mater agriculture animal sexuality marriage human childbirth

3. ANU ENLIL EA (ENKI) INANNA UTU ERESHKIGAL

4. Inanna < * Nin-anna (Lady of Heaven) Morning/Evening Star War/Kingship Sexuality

5. playgr0und of Inanna installation of king War/Kingship theft of Enki s me extension of power into Ereshkigal

6. hieros gamos animal/human sexuality Sexuality royal consort temple prostitution

7. cosmic (hieros gamos) consummation political (installation) ritual/social (marriage)

8. Language of Sex affirmation/celebration renewal activities : plowing, planting, watering, harvesting agrarian metaphors products : seed, grain, milk, honey, wine field political state family contextualization

9. Regeneration Myth (Myths of Hittite Telepinus, Canaanite Baal, Greek Persephone) God disappears Search conducted Disorder (drought, famine) ensue Rituals performed Recovery of lost god Restoration of order (?)

10. Descent of Inanna Inanna descends to Underworld to extend her powers. At each of nine gates, she must remove one article of clothing. Inanna reaches the Underworld naked. Inanna s arrive coincides with Ereshkigal s giving birth. Inanna is turned into a piece of green meat, hung on a hook. Enki/Ea sends two creatures (galaturra, kurgarra) to revive Inanna with water and life- giving plant and bring her back. Inanna must find a substitute to die in her place. Inanna chooses Dumuzi. Dumuzi is seized by demons and taken to the Underworld. Dumuzi lives as Ereshikgal s mate for half the year. Dumuzi returns to the Upperworld as Inanna s mate for half the year.

11. 1. Absence of deity (Inanna) [2. Disruption of natural order] [3. Search for absent deity] 3a. Search for help to restore deity 4. Restoration of deity (Inanna) 3b. Search for substitute deity (Dumuzi) 1. Absence of deity (Dumuzi) 2. Disruption of natural order 3. Search for absent deity (Dumuzi) 4. Restoration of deity (Dumuzi) 5. Limitation 6. Cycle

12. Descent of Inanna INANNA ERESHKIGAL Inanna = Queen of Upperworld Ereshkigal = Queen of Underworld Inanna + Dumuzi (LIFE) Ereshkigal + Nergal (DEATH) Upperworld fertile, wet, living Underworld sterile, dry, lifeless Inanna descends to Underworld (DEATH) Upperworld sterile, dry, lifeless Ereshkigal gives birth (LIFE) Underworld fertile, wet, living Inanna ascends (LIFE) Ereshkigal remains (DEATH) Dumuzi substitute for Inanna Dumuzi substitute for Nergal Inanna + Dumuzi (LIFE) half year earth blossoms Ereshkigal + Dumuzi (DEATH) half year earth fallow