Summary page for Ninlil, the Sumerian goddess of grain, air, and healing.
Pantheon:
Deity Of:
Grain, Harvest, Air, Healing
Archetype:
Destiny Deity: Controlled the fates and cosmic order with Enlil.
Mother and Protector: Known as “mother of gods,” bearing influential deities like Nanna and Nergal.
Harvest Deity: Tied to the growth cycle of grain and fertility of crops.
Group:
Anunnaki: Ninlil was part of the Anunnaki, a group of major Mesopotamian deities. The Anunnaki were known as powerful deities who oversaw creation, divine laws, and human fate in Sumerian mythology.
Other Names (a.k.a.):
Baalat, Baalath, Haya, Kutushar, Lady Air, Sud
Ninlil was initially identified with the goddess Sud.
In the myth “Enlil and Sud,” Sud became known as Ninlil after marrying Enlil.
Other Pantheons:
Hurrian Pantheon: Revered as a primeval underworld deity alongside Enlil.
Assyrian Pantheon: Became consort of Ashur, aligning with Mullissu and sometimes Ishtar.
Akkadian Pantheon: She was known as Mullitu or Mullissu.
Greek Parallels: Linked to Aphrodite by Herodotus, likely due to her connection with Ishtar.
Syrian and Canaanite: Associated with Shalash, wife of Dagan, paralleling Enlil and Ninlil’s relationship. Also held the title of Baalath in Canaanite regions, showing her regional influence.
Consort and Queen: Revered as Enlil’s wife and queen of heaven and earth.
Destiny and Fate: Controlled destinies, sometimes even taking precedence over Enlil.
Declaring Destinies for Other Gods: Bestowed roles and positions upon deities, including Inanna and Nergal.
Mother of Gods: Recognized as the mother of deities like Nanna and Nergal.
Royal Authority: Provided legitimacy and power to kings, especially in Ur’s Third Dynasty.
Goddess of Grain and Fertility: Linked to the grain cycle and known as the “Varicolored Ear.”
Protection and Authority in Marriage: Elevated her status through marriage, embodying shared authority with Enlil.
Symbol of Death and Rebirth: Embodied grain’s life cycle and endured underworld journeys, symbolizing renewal.
Lady Of The Air: Ninlil was often linked with air and wind, reflecting her title. Ninlil was known as either “Lady Air” or “Queen of the Breeze.”
Parents:
Haia – god of Store-Houses, Scribal Arts, Grains, Door-keeper
Nunbarshegunu – goddess of Flood, Justice, Grain, Scribal Arts, Writing, Accounting, Surveying, Wisdom
Siblings:
None Known
Consorts:
Enlil – god of Air, Earth, Storms, Wind, Agriculture
Artistic Depictions of Ninlil
Seated, Enthroned Goddess: Shown seated on cylinder seals, indicating her high status.
Tall with Horned Headdress: Depicted as a tall goddess with a divine horned headdress.
Symbolic Representations
Associated Constellations: Linked with Ursa Major (“wagon”) and Lyra (“goat”) in astronomy.
Symbolic Cow Comparison: Compared to a cow, symbolizing fertility and nurturing, not physical portrayal.
“Varicoloured Ear (of Barley)”: Referred to as this, representing her role in grain fertility.
Weapons:
Deified Lance (Šukurrum): Indirectly linked to a deified lance in a symbolic context.
Sacred Animals:
Symbolic Comparison to a Cow: Compared to a cow, symbolizing fertility and nurturing qualities.
Symbolism:
“Lady of the Breeze”: The title emphasized her air and wind connection.
Horned Headdress: Symbolized her divine status.
Varicolored Ear (of Barley): Symbolized fertility and the agricultural cycle.
Motherly Qualities: Cow comparison highlighted her nurturing, motherly nature.
Celestial Associations:
She was associated with two constellations: Ursa Major (the Great Bear or “wagon”) and Lyra (the “goat”).
Ursa Major or Great Bear – The mulmar-gíd-da (“wagon”): Symbolized her divine presence.
Lyra – The mulÙZ (“goat”): Associated with this constellation, reflecting her cosmic significance.
Realms:
Ninlil was linked to the earthly and heavenly realms, ruling alongside Enlil.
Kur: Sumerian Underworld. Connected through the myth “Enlil and Ninlil,” symbolizing her descent into the underworld.
Ekur Temple Complex: Honored in specific shrines within Nippur’s main temple.
Worship Places:
Ninlil was mainly worshiped in Nippur, where she had a temple. However, she had multiple temples throughout the Mesopotamian region.
List of Temples Dedicated to Ninlil
- Nippur: The main center of worship had multiple temples and shrines.
- Eki’ur (Nippur): Primary temple dedicated to Ninlil.
- Kiur Shrine (Ekur Complex, Nippur): Shrine within the Ekur complex.
- Eitimaku (Eunuzu): A shrine in Nippur, known as her bedchamber.
- Ekurigigal: Storehouse shrine within the Ekur temple, shared with Enlil.
- Ešutumkiagga: Storeroom shrine built by Ur-Nammu in Nippur.
- Abzu-Ninlil: Water basin shrine in Nippur, documented in the Ur III period.
- Tummal: Sacred site near Nippur for worship and royal ceremonies.
- Ḫursaĝkalamma (near Kish): Temple known as E-Ḫursaĝkalamma.
- Egašanantagal (Dur-Kurigalzu): Temple built by King Kurigalzu I.
- Emebišedua: Temple listed in the Canonical Temple List, location unknown.
- Shuruppak: Associated with Ninlil through her syncretism with Sud.
Rituals & Divinations:
First Fruit Offerings: Ritual offerings of first fruits to Ninlil and Enlil.
Temple Hymns: Hymns praised her role in granting divine authority.
Festivals:
Tummal Festival: Celebrated in Tummal during the Ur III period, it symbolized the renewal of the king’s legitimacy through Ninlil’s decree.
Marriage Celebration: Scholars proposed this festival may have honored her marriage to Enlil, with songs referencing their union, though direct evidence is missing.
Babylonian Festival: Involved in a festival for Gula, where Ninlil represented Kish alongside other deities.
Mythology Themes
Descent to the Underworld: Followed Enlil after his exile; symbolized death and rebirth.
Marriage and Divine Authority: Gained status and power after marrying Enlil, emphasizing legitimacy. She played a role in the cosmic order, influencing the fates alongside Enlil.
Mother of Gods: Represented divine lineage; mother of Nanna, Nergal, Ninurta, and Ninazu. Her mythology often centered on her relationships and offspring, underscoring her maternal and authoritative aspects.
Flood Myths: Linked to Shuruppak, tied to themes of divine judgment and survival.
Mythology Stories With Mentions Of Ninlil
Enlil and Ninlil: Enlil pursued Ninlil; she followed him into the underworld, giving birth to Nanna and others.
Enlil and Sud: Story of Sud’s rise to Ninlil’s status through marriage; gained power to decree destinies.
Nanna’s Journey to Nippur: Ninlil greeted Nanna while he visited her on his way to Nippur.
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, Ninlil (Wikipedia.com, January 3, 2024)
- Nicole Brisch, ‘Ninlil (Mulliltu, Mullissu, Mylitta) (goddess)’, Ancient Mesopotamian Gods and Goddesses (Oracc and the UK Higher Education Academy, 2019)
- The Editors of Encyclopedia Britannica, Ninlil Mesopotamian Deity (Britannica Encyclopedia, May 12, 2023)