Summary page for Belili, the Sumerian goddess of mourning, wells and springs, wine, trees, moon, and the underworld.
Pantheon:
Deity Of:
Moon, Underworld, Love, Trees, Wells and Springs, Wine, Mourning
Archetype:
Death and rebirth, symbolizing cyclical nature of life. Mainly known as a mourning deity, tied to sorrow and loss.
Group:
Anunnaki
Other Names (a.k.a.):
Belili, Geshtinanna, Gestin-Ana, Gestin-Anna, Lady of the Vine, Lady of the Wilderness, Nin Edin, Ninedina, Ningeshtinanna, Recorder of Heaven and Hell, White Goddess
Other Pantheons:
Appears in both Sumerian and Akkadian mythologies as either Belili or Geshtinanna.
Belet-Seri in Babylonian mythology.
Mourner of Dumuzi: Known for mourning her brother Dumuzi’s death. Associated with grief and the cycle of death and rebirth.
Underworld Deity and Scribe: Revered as the chief scribe of the underworld. Responsible for keeping records of the dead.
Dream Interpretation: Known for interpreting dreams, especially Dumuzi’s death premonition. Viewed as wise and knowledgeable in myth.
Connection to Nature: Called “Lady of the Vine,” linked to fertility and agriculture. Associated with wine, vegetation, and natural cycles.
Parents:
No parents were recorded. Given that Belili was a sister of Dumuzi it is safe to assume that her parents were his parents.
Lugalbanda – King of Uruk and a Mythical Hero
OR
Enki – god of Water, Fish, Justice, Wisdom, Magic, Shipmenders, Crafts, Healing, Fertility, Art, Exorcism
Ninsun – goddess of Wild Cows
Siblings:
Dumuzi – god of Fertility, Grain, Flocks and Herds, Underworld
Consorts:
Ningishzida – god of Vegetation, Underworld
Children:
None Known
Underworld Scribe: Portrayed as the chief scribe of the underworld. Shown recording the dead and guiding them into the underworld.
Dream Interpreter: Depicted interpreting dreams, especially her brother Dumuzi’s death premonition. Symbolized wisdom and foresight in art.
Mushussu Creature: Sometimes shown with a mushussu, a serpent-dragon. The creature may represent her consort, Ningishzida.
Mourning for Dumuzi: Often portrayed mourning Dumuzi’s death. Associated with grief and the death-rebirth cycle in her imagery.
Nature Symbols: Linked to the moon, wine, trees, wells, and springs. Called “Lady of the Vine,” symbolizing fertility and agriculture.
Weapons:
None Known
Sacred Animals:
Belili may have been linked to the mushussu, a mythical serpent-dragon.
The mushussu is connected through her association with her husband Ningishzida.
Symbolism:
Grapevine and Wine: Symbolized wine and fertility, called “grapevine of heaven.”
Trees, Wells, and Springs: Linked to natural growth, water sources, and life cycles.
Moon: Represented the moon, associated with death, rebirth, and time cycles.
Celestial Associations:
She was associated with the moon as a Sumerian moon-goddess.
Linked to lunar cycles, symbolizing time, death, rebirth, and fertility.
Realms:
Underworld: Served as the chief scribe, recording the dead and allowing them entry.
Spent six months in the underworld, alternating with Dumuzi.
Earthly Realm: Connected to nature, fertility, and agriculture, especially wells, springs, and grapevines.
Heavenly Realm: She also had associations with the heavenly realm, indicated by her title “grapevine of heaven”.
Worship Places:
The worship of Belili took place at multiple sites, often along side her brother Dumuzi.
- Sagub (Near Lagash): Had a cult center where Geshtinanna was worshiped.
- Girsu: Ur-Baba built a temple for the goddess in this city.
- Esagug (Sagub): Possibly another temple, but its existence is debated.
- E-Arali (Bad-tibira): A shrine dedicated to Belili and Dumuzi, linked to the underworld.
- E-erra (Location Unknown): A “house of lament” dedicated to Belili and Dumuzi.
- Ekadimma (Babylon): A temple for Belili, mentioned in Babylonian administrative texts.
- Esagil Complex (Babylon): Belili shared a cult seat with the deity Alala.
- E-TIN-na (Location Unknown): A temple possibly called “house of liquor,” dedicated to the goddess.
- Euruku (Location Unknown): Another temple, translated as “house, pure city.”
Rituals & Divinations:
Mourning Rituals: Rituals of lamentation tied to Dumuzi’s death and rebirth cycle.
Offerings in Temples: Included offerings, typical of Mesopotamian temple practices.
Dream Interpretation: Belili’s role as a dream interpreter suggests her involvement in divinatory practices.
Mythology Themes:
Descent to the Underworld: Belili spent six months in the underworld, alternating with Dumuzi.
Death and Rebirth: Associated with the cyclical nature of life, death, and seasonal renewal.
Mourning: Known for mourning her brother Dumuzi’s death, reflecting themes of grief and loss.
Mythology Story Mentions of Belili:
Dumuzi’s Dream: Belili interpreted Dumuzi’s dream, foretelling his death and showing her wisdom.
Inanna’s Descent: Belili replaced Dumuzi for half the year in the underworld.
Dumuzi and Geshtinanna: Belili helped Dumuzi hide from demons, displaying loyalty and sacrifice.
Visit All Sumerian Gods & Goddesses
- J.A. Coleman, The Dictionary of Mythology: An A-Z of Themes, Legends, and Heroes (Barnes & Noble, Inc., 2007)
- Multiple Authors, Belili (Wikipedia Free Encyclopedia, February 20, 2024)
- Multiple Authors, Geshtinanna (Wikipedia Free Encyclopedia, December 1, 2023)