Pantheon:
Deity Of:
Fertility, Grain, Flocks and Herds, Underworld
Archetype:
Death and Rebirth God
Other Names (a.k.a.):
Amaushumgalanna, Ama-Usum-Gal-Ana, Damu, Du’uzu, Dumuzi, Dumuzi-Amaushumgalana, Dumuzid, Dumuzida, Duuzu, Tammuz, Tammuz of the Abyss, Ushumgalanna
Other Pantheons:
Babylonian = Tammuz
Greek = Adonis
Dumuzi was known as a god of fertility, agriculture, and shepherding.
He symbolized the cycle of life and death, linked to plant growth and the seasons.
His life represented the seasonal changes in nature.
Dumuzi’s love and marriage to Inanna were central themes in stories about him.
His descent into the underworld reflected themes of sacrifice and renewal.
Parents:
Ninsun – goddess of Wild Cows
Enki – god of Water, Fish, Justice, Wisdom, Magic, Shipmenders, Crafts, Healing, Fertility, Art, Exorcism
Some texts refer to a mythical human king of Uruk being Dumuzi’s father.
Lugalbanda – human of King of Uruk and a Mythical Hero
Siblings:
Belili – goddess of Moon, Underworld , Love, Trees, Wells and Springs, Wine
Consorts:
Inanna – goddess of Fertility, Love, War, Procreation
Children:
None Known
Dumuzi was portrayed as a young shepherd.
He was visualized in art and myths as a youthful figure, often in the context of marriage and fertility rites.
Dumuzi was depicted with associations to vegetation and growth, especially as the power behind the sap rise in plants.
His imagery included connections to date palms, representing stability and abundance.
He symbolized the seasonal cycle of life and death, linked to the agricultural and pastoral life of Sumer.
He transformed into an officer in the netherworld after his death.
Dumuzi was often mourned in rituals during the dry, hot summers, symbolizing his death phase.
He appeared in myths as Inanna’s husband, reflecting themes of love, fertility, and power dynamics between the deities.
Weapons:
No weapons were associated with Dumuzi.
Sacred Animals:
The sheep and gazelle were sacred to Dumuzi, reflecting his role as a shepherd god.
Symbolism:
Dumuzi was symbolized by the date palm, representing fertility and life.
He was connected to the cycle of seasons, with summer and winter symbolizing his death and return.
The month of Tammuz (July) in the calendar was named after him, marking the time of mourning and remembrance.
Celestial Associations:
No planet or constellation associations.
Realms:
Dumuzi was associated with the earthly realm as a god of agriculture and shepherding.
He also had a significant role in the underworld, reflecting themes of death and renewal.
Worship Places:
Temples and shrines dedicated to Dumuzi were found in ancient Sumerian cities.
Uruk and Bad-tibira were significant cities where Dumuzi was worshiped.
Rituals & Divinations:
The “sacred marriage” ceremony, where the king embodied Dumuzi, was an important ritual to ensure fertility and prosperity.
Festivals:
People mourned Dumuzi’s death during the hot summer months, which was a major ritual.
Biblical References:
Dumuzi, known as Tammuz in the Bible, is mentioned in the Book of Ezekiel. Women were seen weeping for Tammuz in the vision of Ezekiel 8:14.
In “Inanna’s Descent into the Underworld,” Dumuzi failed to mourn Inanna’s death, leading to his descent into the underworld as her substitute.
In “Inanna Prefers the Farmer,” Dumuzi competes with a farmer for Inanna’s affection and wins, symbolizing the union of pastoral and agricultural life.
In the “Epic of Gilgamesh,” Dumuzi was mentioned as a past love of the goddess Ishtar, also known as Inanna.
“Enki and Sumer: The Organization of the Earth and Its Cultural Processes” portrays Dumuzi as a caretaker of animals, under the guidance of the god Enki, showing his role in agricultural and pastoral care.
Visit All Sumerian Gods & Goddesses
- J.A. Coleman, The Dictionary of Mythology: An A-Z of Themes, Legends, and Heroes (Barnes & Noble, Inc., 2007)
- Matt Clayton, Sumerian Mythology: Captivating Myths Of Gods, Goddesses, And Legendary Creatures of Ancient Sumer and Their Importance To The Sumerians (Captivating History, 2019)
- Multiple Authors, Bible – New International Version (Zondervan, 1984)
- Multiple Authors, Dumuzid (Wikipedia Free Encyclopedia, February 16, 2024) https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dumuzid
- Samuel Noah Kramer, Sumerian Mythology: A Study of Spiritual And Literary Achievement in the Third Millenium B.C. (General Press, 2021)
- The Editors of Encyclopaedia Britannica, Dumuzi-Amaushumgalana Sumerian deity (Britannica Encyclopedia, May 17, 2023)
- Multiple Authors, Dumuzi (Encyclopedia of Religion, 2005)