Summary page for Dumuzi, the Sumerian god of fertility, the shepherd of flocks and herds.
Pantheon:
Deity Of:
Fertility, Grain, Flocks and Herds, Underworld
Archetype:
Harvest deity: Linked to agriculture and the date palm.
Death and rebirth deity: Represented seasonal death and return.
Protector: Guarded the health of newborn animals.
Group:
Linked with the Anunnaki through underworld judgment.
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. Paralleled to Tammuz
Greek: Paralleled by Adonis. Integrated into Adonis through Syrian influence.
God of fertility, flocks, and agriculture.
Represented plant growth and new life.
Associated with shepherds and provided seasonal milk.
Symbolized seasonal death and rebirth.
Spent time in the underworld, influencing seasons.
Caused the dry summer through his yearly death.
Returned in autumn, representing renewal and growth.
As the Consort of Inanna was celebrated in sacred marriage rituals.
Featured in love poems with Inanna, symbolizing prosperity.
Worshipped through midsummer mourning rituals across Mesopotamia.
Ritual lamentation for Dumuzi was common, especially among women.
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 (a.k.a. Geshtinanna) – goddess of Moon, Underworld, Love, Trees, Wells and Springs, Wine
Consorts:
Inanna – goddess of Fertility, Love, War, Procreation
Children:
None Known
He was depicted as a shepherd, emphasizing his connection to flocks and pastoral life.
Featured in symbolic art showcasing power, like a Bullman fighting animals.
He was visualized in art and myths as a youthful figure, often in the context of marriage and fertility rites.
Artists depicted his death, reflecting the seasonal mourning in ancient Sumer.
Lamentation scenes appeared on clay tablets.
Ritual art highlighted mourning practices during his summer death period.
His imagery included connections to date palms, representing stability and abundance.
Visuals included themes of love inspired by poems of joy and union.
Weapons:
No weapons were associated with him.
Sacred Animals:
Gazelle: Symbolized Dumuzi’s agility and escape from the underworld.
Sheep and livestock: Implied connection due to his role as a shepherd god.
Symbolism:
Date palm: Represented growth, stability, and continuous sustenance.
Milk: Symbolized nourishment and fertility, tied to his pastoral role.
Vegetation: Signified renewal and the cycle of life.
Seasonal cycle: His death marked summer’s heat, symbolizing life and rebirth.
Celestial Associations:
Mentioned as a constellation in ancient astronomical texts.
Dumuzi was linked to the constellation of the Shepherd, which was believed to represent him in the night sky. In some interpretations, this constellation has been associated with the modern constellation Orion due to its connection with shepherd imagery and pastoral themes.
Indirect association with Venus due to his consort Inanna’s connection.
Realms:
Associated with the underworld, where he served as an officer.
Spent part of the year in the underworld, symbolizing seasonal change.
He was tied to divine and earthly realms, bridging his mythological significance.
Worship Places:
Widely worshiped across Sumer, especially during midsummer mourning rituals.
Ekur temple in Nippur held rituals linking Dumuzi with underworld themes.
He was revered in Bad-tibira, where he was recognized as an antediluvian king.
Rituals & Divinations:
Public mourning occurred during midsummer in his honor.
Lamentation songs were performed by gala/kalû priests during funerals.
Rituals were conducted to protect against evil and gain divine favor.
The Ekur temple hosted rituals connecting him to death and renewal.
Sacred marriage ceremonies involved kings embodying Dumuzi, symbolizing fertility.
Rituals aimed to ensure prosperity and strengthen royal legitimacy.
Festivals:
Honored during the midsummer month of Dumuzid with ritual mourning.
The mourning marked his death and symbolized the dry season.
Celebrated during the Akitu festival at the spring equinox.
Akitu included a sacred marriage ceremony symbolizing Dumuzi’s union with Inanna.
Lamentation rituals were performed by priests and tied to seasonal themes.
Biblical References:
Mentioned as Tammuz in the Book of Ezekiel 8:14–15.
Women mourned for Tammuz at the temple entrance, as noted by the prophet Ezekiel.
This biblical mention shows the spread and impact of his worship practices.
Mythology Themes:
Tied to themes of sacrifice, death, and rebirth.
Represented the cycle of life and seasonal changes.
He symbolized cosmic balance through his underworld role.
Associated with love and romantic competition.
Linked to themes of lamentation and loss due to his absence.
Mythology Stories With Mentions of Dumuzi:
Inanna’s Descent to the Underworld: Dumuzi replaced Inanna in the underworld, emphasizing sacrifice. Inanna set demons on Dumuzi, leading to his capture and descent. His sister, Geshtinanna, shared time in the underworld to ease his fate.
Courtship of Inanna and Dumuzi: He competed with a farmer, Enkimdu, for Inanna’s hand.
Lamentation Stories: Love poems highlighted Dumuzi and Inanna’s relationship and mourned his seasonal death.
Enki and Sumer: The Organization of the Earth and Its Cultural Processes portrayed him as a caretaker of animals under the guidance of the god Enki, showing his role in agricultural and pastoral care.
Epic of Gilgamesh: He was mentioned as a past love of the goddess Ishtar, also known as Inanna.
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)
- 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)