Summary page for Ningal, the Sumerian goddess of the moon.
Pantheon:
Deity Of:
Moon, Fertility
Archetype:
Moon Goddess: Aligned with lunar and celestial themes.
Group:
Anunnaki
Other Names (a.k.a.):
Ningal, Nin-Gala, Nin-Uruwa
Other Pantheons:
Nikkal was the Syrian, Akkadian, and Ugaritic version of her name.
Ningal was known as the “Great Queen” and protector of the city of Ur.
Portrayed mourning the destruction of Ur in ancient laments.
She was the moon god’s wife and was linked to the moon and fertility.
People worshiped her as a goddess of fertility.
Ningal often appeared in myths in supportive and passive roles.
Parents:
Enki – god of Water, Fish, Justice, Wisdom, Magic, Shipmenders, Crafts, Healing, Fertility, Art, Exorcism
Ninhursag – goddess of Earth, Animals, Wildlife, Birth, Fertility
Siblings:
Ninsikila – deity of Purity
Consorts:
Nanna – god of Moon, Calendars, Fertility, Cattle
Children:
Ereshkigal – goddess of Underworld as Queen of The Dead
Inanna – goddess of Fertility, Love, War, Procreation
Ishkur – god of Storm, Wind
Numushda – god of Flooding
Utu – god of Sun, Justice
Ningal as the “Great Queen ” had titles that hinted at star and light connections.
Artists often portrayed her as a seated goddess with the lunar crescent.
The crescent symbolized her connection to the moon god, Nanna.
On the Ur-Nammu Stele, she appeared sitting on Nanna’s lap.
This depiction emphasized their close, unified relationship as deities.
The term zirru associated with Ningal could represent a female bird.
Geese and swan were Ningal’s sacred animals, and showed up in her iconography.
Weapons:
None Known
Sacred Animals:
Goose: Specifically a graylag goose was sacred to Ningal.
Swan: Whooper swan was considered sacred.
Symbolism:
The lunar crescent symbolized Ningal, representing her connection to the moon god.
She was associated with fertility and motherhood.
Titles like Ninmulnunna (“lady, star of the prince”) highlighted her starry connections.
Celestial Associations:
Ningal was connected to the moon through her husband, Nanna, the moon god.
Called Si-iminbi (“sevenfold light”), reflecting her connection to celestial light.
Realms:
Ningal was associated with the city of Ur, where she was venerated.
She was linked to the heavens due to her astral connections and husband’s domain.
Associated with the city of Harran, where she had a shrine called giparu.
Worship Places:
Ur: Ningal’s main worship center, with temples like Egarku or Agrunku. Rebuilt during the Neo-Babylonian period by Nabonidus.
Harran: Worshiped in the giparu shrine, possibly part of the Eḫulḫul temple of Sin.
Nippur: Honored in the temple of Nanna and in a sanctuary called bīt dalīli.
Larsa: Kings like Warad-Sin revered her, highlighting the city’s religious importance.
Babylon, Isin, Kisurra, Tutub, Urum: Veneration noted in these Old Babylonian cities.
Mari: Known since the Ur III period, reflecting her spread to other regions.
Sippar: Statues of Ningal and Nanna served as witnesses in transactions.
Kissik: Nabonidus restored her temple, called Eamaškuga (“house, pure sheepfold”).
Nineveh: A joint temple dedicated to Ningal, Sin, Shamash, and Aya.
Dur-Sharrukin: Featured a shrine to Ningal within Sargon II’s palace.
Rituals & Divinations:
Ningal was recognized as a pivotal deity who influenced the natural world and human affairs alike.
Zame Hymns: Praise hymns in which Ningal was honored as “mother Ningal.”
Maqlû Incantation: Linked to rituals countering witchcraft, featuring Ningal as a divine protector.
In the “Lament for Ur,” Ningal mourned the destruction of Ur.
She played the role of a caring mother and wife in her myths.
Ningal helped make the world fruitful before living with Nanna, her husband.
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, Ningal (Wikipedia Free Encyclopedia, October 23, 2023)