In the dawn of creation, when gods shaped the heavens and earth, a single tree drifted through the waters of the Euphrates. A storm had uprooted it, casting it into the river’s embrace. Inanna, the goddess of love and war, found the tree and carried it to her sacred garden. But as the years passed, dark forces took root within its branches. To reclaim what was hers, Inanna would need a hero’s strength and the courage of the gods.
Myth Introduction and Summary
Long ago, when the heavens and earth were first divided, a sacred tree took root by the Euphrates River. The gods had set the order of the universe—An ruled the skies, Enlil claimed the earth, and Ereshkigal was given the underworld. But a raging storm came, tearing the tree from the riverbank. The waters carried it far until Inanna, goddess of love and war, found it drifting in the current. Seeing its potential, she rescued the tree and planted it in her sacred garden in Uruk.
For years, Inanna nurtured the tree, waiting for the day she could use its wood to craft a throne and a bed. But as the tree grew, dark forces took shelter within it. A serpent coiled around its roots, the mighty Anzu Bird nested in its branches, and Lilith, a phantom maiden, made her home in its trunk. No magic could drive them away, and Inanna wept in despair. She sought help from her twin brother Utu, the sun god, but he turned away. Desperate, she turned to Gilgamesh, the great hero of Uruk.
Gilgamesh took up his bronze axe and struck down the serpent. The Anzu Bird, seeing the serpent slain, fled with its young to the mountains. Lilith abandoned her home, vanishing into the wilderness. At last, the tree belonged to Inanna once more. Gilgamesh cut it down and gave its wood to the goddess, who crafted her sacred throne and bed. As a gift, she gave Gilgamesh the pukku and mikku—mystical objects of unknown power. The tale of the Huluppu Tree became a legend, woven into the fabric of Sumerian myth.
Related Mythology Themes Overview
Themes in Inanna and the Huluppu Tree
The story of the Huluppu Tree was more than a myth. It was a tale of creation, courage, and duty—a reflection of the world as the Sumerians understood it.
The Creation of the World: The Divine Order is Set
Before the Huluppu Tree took root in Inanna’s garden, the gods shaped the world. An claimed the heavens, Enlil took the earth, and Ereshkigal was given the underworld. Their division set the foundation of existence, separating light from darkness, sky from soil, and life from death. This order was absolute, yet chaos lurked in the shadows. The storm that uprooted the Huluppu Tree was not just wind—it was a reminder that even the gods’ will could be challenged.
Heroes and Monsters: Gilgamesh Proves His Strength
When Inanna’s sacred tree grew tall, it became home to unnatural creatures. A serpent coiled around its roots, immune to spells. The Anzu Bird nested high in its branches, guarding its young. Lilith, the phantom maid, claimed the trunk as her home. No one dared disturb them—until Gilgamesh arrived. With his mighty axe, he struck down the serpent, sending the Anzu Bird fleeing to the mountains. Lilith abandoned her dwelling, vanishing into the wilderness. This act of heroism echoed the great Sumerian tradition—monsters fell before the hands of the bold.
The Warrior’s Code: Strength, Duty, and Battle
Gilgamesh did not fight for personal gain. He fought because Inanna, his goddess and kin, needed him. He armed himself, his weapons heavy with power, and stepped forward where others had turned away. This was the duty of a warrior—to protect, to battle, to restore order where chaos had taken hold. Though no great war raged, this fight held the same weight. Strength was not only in muscle but in the will to act when others hesitated.
Introduction To Characters
Heroes, Gods, and Goddesses in Inanna and the Huluppu Tree
Each of the following characters played their part in the tale of the Huluppu Tree, shaping a story of gods, heroes, and the unseen forces that wove the fabric of existence.
Inanna – Goddess of Love, War, and Fertility
Inanna, the Queen of Heaven, was a goddess of great power and passion. She ruled over love and war, embodying both creation and destruction. As she walked along the Euphrates, she found the Huluppu tree adrift in the river’s embrace. Seeing its potential, she rescued it and planted it in her sacred garden in Uruk.
For years, she tended the tree, dreaming of crafting a throne and bed from its wood. But dark forces took refuge within it, leaving her helpless.
She wept, seeking aid from the gods, but only one would answer.
Utu – Sun God, Brother of Inanna
Utu, the god of the sun, was Inanna’s brother and the bringer of justice. He journeyed across the sky each day, watching over the land below. When Inanna came to him in despair, pleading for his help, he turned away. The mighty sun god did not interfere.
His refusal left his sister alone, forced to seek another champion.
An (Anu) – Sky God, Ruler of the Heavens
An, the supreme god of the heavens, ruled over the celestial realm. He had taken the skies for himself when the cosmos was divided. Though he did not intervene in the tale, his authority was absolute. Inanna, ever respectful of the divine order, carried out her actions with his will in mind.
Enlil – God of Wind, Air, and Earth
Enlil, the mighty lord of the air, held dominion over the earth. When the realms were divided, he claimed the land as his own. Like An, he remained distant from the conflict, yet his power loomed over all. Inanna, bound by fate and duty, honored his authority as she pursued her desires.
Enki – God of Water, Wisdom, and Magic
Enki, the god of wisdom, held the secrets of the deep. He was a trickster, a creator, and a protector of hidden knowledge. At the dawn of the tale, he set sail for the netherworld, facing storms and chaos along the way. Though his journey did not directly touch the Huluppu Tree, his presence signified the ever-shifting balance of fate and power.
Ereshkigal – Goddess of the Underworld
Ereshkigal, Queen of the Dead, ruled the realm of shadows. When the universe was divided, the underworld became her domain. Though she did not appear in Inanna’s struggle, her presence reminded all that even gods had their places, and no one could escape their fate.
Gilgamesh – Hero and King of Uruk
Gilgamesh, the great warrior-king of Uruk, was both mortal and divine. His strength was unmatched, his courage legendary. When Inanna called upon him, he did not hesitate. He donned his mighty armor and wielded his bronze axe. With one powerful strike, he slew the serpent that coiled around the tree’s roots. The Anzu Bird, seeing the beast fall, fled to the mountains. Lilith, the phantom maid, abandoned her home and disappeared into the wilderness. Gilgamesh had restored order, proving his valor once more.
Other Notable Characters in Inanna and the Huluppu Tree
Each of the following beings had claimed the Huluppu Tree, twisting Inanna’s dream into something unreachable. Only through the strength of Gilgamesh did the goddess reclaim what was hers.
The Huluppu Tree – A Sacred Gift and a Lost Dream
The Huluppu Tree was no ordinary tree. It grew by the banks of the Euphrates, its roots drinking from the sacred waters. A great storm tore it from the earth, carrying it downriver until Inanna rescued it. She planted it in her sacred garden, dreaming of crafting a throne and a bed from its wood. But as the tree grew, dark forces claimed it. The once-promising gift became a source of sorrow, its branches tangled with creatures that defied her will.
The Serpent – The Guardian of the Roots
At the tree’s base, a serpent coiled around its roots. No incantation could drive it away, and no spell could weaken its hold. It slithered unseen, waiting in the shadows, barring Inanna from cutting the tree down. It was the first obstacle, a creature beyond the reach of divine power. But its reign ended when Gilgamesh raised his mighty axe and struck it down, severing its claim to the sacred tree.
The Anzu Bird – The Watcher in the Branches
High above, the Anzu Bird made its nest in the tree’s branches. A being of wind and storm, it was a creature of chaos. It watched over its young; its wings spread wide as if guarding a secret. When Gilgamesh slew the serpent, the Anzu Bird sensed danger. It did not fight. It did not linger. Instead, it took its young and vanished into the mountains, fleeing the warrior’s wrath.
Lilith – The Phantom of the Trunk
Within the tree’s hollow trunk, Lilith made her home. She was a shadow, a phantom, a spirit of desolation. She laughed in the darkness, untouched by Inanna’s sorrow. This was her refuge, a place beyond the reach of gods and men. But when Gilgamesh took up his axe, her home was no longer safe. She fled into the wilderness, disappearing into the desolate places where no light could follow.
Setting The Stage – Places and Realms
Places and Realms in Inanna and the Huluppu Tree
Each of these places held power, shaping the tale of the Huluppu Tree. From the heights of heaven to the depths of the underworld, the myth wove a story of order, chaos, and the struggle between them.
Heaven – The Realm of An, the Sky God
In the earliest days, the heavens and earth were one. Then, the gods divided the cosmos. An, the sky god, claimed the heavens as his domain. From this celestial realm, he watched over creation, maintaining the divine order. Though distant, his presence shaped the world below, reminding gods and mortals alike of his power.
Earth – The Realm of Gods and Mortals
Enlil, lord of wind and storms, took the earth for himself. He ruled over land and sky, ensuring the balance between the gods and humankind. The earth was where myths unfolded, where kings ruled, and where divine forces shaped fate. It was here that Inanna planted the Huluppu Tree, hoping to create something sacred from its wood.
The Netherworld – Ereshkigal’s Kingdom of Shadows
Beneath the earth lay the netherworld, a place of no return. It belonged to Ereshkigal, queen of the dead. When the gods divided the realms, she was given this dark domain. Though unseen, the underworld loomed over all life, a silent force that even the gods could not escape. Enki, the god of wisdom, once sailed toward it, facing furious storms. His journey mirrored the chaos that threatened the balance of the world.
Uruk – The City of Kings and Gods
Uruk was a city of power, a place where mortals and deities crossed paths. It was home to Inanna’s sacred garden and the legendary king Gilgamesh. In its heart, the Huluppu Tree stood, growing under the goddess’s care. When dark creatures infested it, Uruk’s greatest hero rose to the challenge. Here, the destiny of gods and kings was written in the dust of ancient streets.
The Euphrates River – The Lifeblood of Sumer
The Euphrates nourished the land, its waters weaving through history and myth. The Huluppu Tree first grew along its banks, its roots drinking from the sacred river. But a great storm came, tearing the tree from the soil. The river carried it far until Inanna, walking along the shore, pulled it from the water’s embrace.
Inanna’s Garden – A Sacred Haven in Uruk
Deep within Uruk, Inanna’s garden flourished. It was a place of beauty, where divine hands shaped the earth. Here, the goddess planted the Huluppu Tree, dreaming of a throne and a bed crafted from its wood. But shadows crept into this sanctuary. The serpent, the Anzu Bird, and Lilith made the tree their home, twisting her vision into sorrow.
The Mountains – The Anzu Bird’s Refuge
When Gilgamesh struck down the serpent, the Anzu Bird knew it was time to flee. It gathered its young and soared into the mountains, retreating to a place beyond reach. The mountains, wild and untamed, became its sanctuary—a place where the storm-bringer could watch from afar.
The Wilderness – Lilith’s Realm of Shadows
Lilith, the phantom maid, had made her home inside the Huluppu Tree. But when Gilgamesh wielded his axe, she could not stay. She tore down her house and fled into the wilderness. There, she vanished into the desolate places, beyond the light of gods and men.
The Myth
Inanna and the Huluppu Tree
The Sumerian Myth of Gods, Heroes, and Sacred Creatures
The Creation of the World
In the beginning, before mortals walked the earth and before the cities of kings, there was only chaos. The heavens and the earth were one, bound together in a formless expanse. Then, the gods divided the cosmos. An, the mighty sky god, lifted the heavens high above, claiming them as his domain. Enlil, the lord of wind and storm, seized the earth and made it his own. Below, the shadowy netherworld was given to Ereshkigal, the queen of the dead, who ruled in silence. The balance of the universe was set, but the world was still young, and forces beyond the gods’ control still moved within it.
In this time of divine order, Enki, the wise god of water and magic, embarked on a journey. He set sail toward the netherworld, his small boat cutting through the waves. But the forces of chaos did not rest. The wind howled, and the sky darkened. Hailstones rained from above, hammering the waters like fists of stone. The waves rose like hungry beasts crashing against his boat, threatening to pull him into the abyss. Enki, though powerful, was not immune to the wild forces that still roamed the universe. The world, though divided, was not yet tamed.
The Birth of the Huluppu Tree
Amidst this turmoil, something else was caught in the storm. A lone tree, a Huluppu tree, grew by the banks of the Euphrates River, its roots drinking from the sacred waters.
The same winds that battered Enki’s boat tore at the tree, wrenching it from the soil. The river swallowed it, dragging it downstream, tossing it through the currents like a leaf in the wind. It drifted through the lands of gods and mortals, a forgotten relic of the storm’s fury.
But the tree was not lost forever. Along the riverbank walked Inanna, the radiant Queen of Heaven. She saw the tree caught in the water’s embrace and felt its power.
She reached out, plucking it from the river, cradling it like a treasure. She carried it to Uruk, the great city of kings and gods, and planted it in her sacred garden.
Under her watchful care, the tree took root once more, growing strong and tall.
The Huluppu Tree’s Dark Inhabitants
Inanna tended to the Huluppu Tree with great care. She dreamed of the day when it would grow strong enough to be transformed into a throne and a bed fit for a goddess. Each day, she watered it, whispering words of blessing. Each year, she watched its branches stretch toward the heavens.
Years passed. The tree thickened, its bark darkened, and its roots sank deep into the earth. But something was wrong. When the time came for Inanna to cut it down, she found herself powerless. A shadow had crept into her garden. Her beautiful tree no longer belonged to her alone.
At the base of the tree, a serpent coiled around the roots. No charm or incantation could drive it away. It lay in wait, unmoving, its presence a silent threat.
Above, in the high branches, the Anzu Bird nested, its piercing eyes watching over its young. It was a creature of storm and wind, a beast not easily challenged.
But worse still was what lurked within the trunk—Lilith, the phantom maid, the spirit of desolation. She laughed from the shadows, her dark presence twisting Inanna’s hopes into sorrow.
Inanna stood before her tree, her heart heavy with despair. This was supposed to be her tree, her throne, her sacred creation. Now, it belonged to the creatures of the night. She wept, her golden tears falling onto the earth. The Queen of Heaven, who had always known joy, now tasted sorrow.
She could not face these beings alone. She needed help. But who among the gods would stand by her side?
Inanna’s Plea To Her Brother Utu
Tears glistened on Inanna’s face as she sought help from her divine brother, Utu, the god of the sun. As dawn painted the sky in gold, she approached him. “Brother, my tree is lost!” she pleaded. She spoke of the invaders that defiled its wood, of the creatures that mocked her labor. But Utu did not listen. He was the light of the sky, the unchallenged sun, and this was not his fight. He, the radiant god, would not fight this battle for her. He turned away, leaving Inanna alone with her sorrow.
The Warrior Rises
But the goddess of love and war did not break. If the gods would not help, she would seek a hero. She turned to Gilgamesh, the mighty king of Uruk, a warrior whose name carried weight among men and gods alike. At the break of dawn, she found him standing upon the city walls, gazing out over his great kingdom.
“Gilgamesh, hear me,” she called. Her voice, laced with urgency, carried on the wind. “I planted a tree, a sacred tree. I wished to shape from it a throne and a bed, but now, it is overrun. A serpent coils at its roots, an Anzu Bird guards its branches, and Lilith laughs from within its trunk. I tried to cut it down, but they defy me.”
Gilgamesh listened, his warrior’s heart stirred by her words. A great tree stolen by dark forces, a goddess seeking aid—this was a call to action. He would not turn away, as Utu had. He would stand beside his goddess.
Without hesitation, he reached for his weapons. He fastened his belt, heavy with the weight of battle. He lifted his bronze axe, its blade forged for slaying monsters. He summoned his companions, warriors of Uruk, and together, they marched toward the garden where the cursed tree awaited.
The air grew heavy as they approached. The tree loomed before them, its once-sacred form twisted by the shadows that dwelled within. The time for waiting had passed. The battle was about to begin.
The Shadows Scatter
Gilgamesh stood before the Huluppu Tree, his axe gleaming in the morning light. The once-sacred tree, twisted by unwelcome forces, loomed over him like a silent challenge. With steady hands, he gripped his mighty weapon and forged for battles against beasts and gods alike. The warriors of Uruk gathered behind him, their breath held, awaiting his strike.
With a single, mighty swing, the blade cut through the air. The serpent, coiled at the tree’s roots, hissed in fury. It was no ordinary creature—immune to spells, untouched by incantations—yet against the raw strength of Gilgamesh, it had no defense. With another strike, the axe sliced through its scaled flesh, and the beast fell lifeless to the earth.
High above, the Anzu Bird shrieked in terror. It spread its massive wings, its talons gripping the branches where it had nested for years. The moment it saw the serpent fall, it called to its young. With a final cry, the bird took flight, vanishing into the distant mountains.
Deep within the trunk, Lilith watched in silence. She had laughed at Inanna’s sorrow. She had ruled over the tree like a queen in the shadows. But now, the great hero had come. Lilith tore down her house, her dark whispers turning to silence. She fled into the wilderness, vanishing into the lands where night never ends.
At last, the tree stood empty. The curse was broken, and the Huluppu Tree belonged to Inanna once more. Gilgamesh lowered his axe, and his task was complete. The goddess watched in awe, her sorrow turning to relief. The tree had been reclaimed, and Uruk’s hero had proven his strength once again.
The Tree’s Final Gift
With the creatures gone, the Huluppu Tree stood silent once more. No longer a home to dark spirits, no longer a prison for Inanna’s dreams. Gilgamesh, his task complete, stepped forward. With nothing but his strength, he grasped the trunk and ripped it from the earth. The tree, once carried by the waters of the Euphrates, now belonged to the gods once more.
The warriors of Uruk stripped the branches and bundled the wood. They presented the tree to Inanna, who had waited so long for its gift. From its trunk, she crafted a throne and a bed, symbols of her divine rule.
The Pukku and Mikku
But Inanna did not forget the hero who had saved her sacred tree. She took the roots and branches and shaped them into two sacred objects—the pukku and mikku. Some say they were a drum and a drumstick. Others whisper they were a ball and a stick, gifts for a game only the gods understood.
Gilgamesh accepted the treasures, knowing they carried the magic of the tree. The Huluppu Tree had fulfilled its destiny, transformed by gods and heroes alike. Inanna’s sorrow had turned to joy, and the great hero had proven his strength once more.
Key Takeaways from Inanna and the Huluppu Tree
The Struggle Between Order and Chaos
The Huluppu Tree symbolizes cosmic order, yet chaos always seeks to claim it. The serpent, Anzu Bird, and Lilith represent the wild, untamed forces that disrupt balance. Only through action and divine intervention can order be restored.
Even Gods Need Help
Despite being a powerful goddess, Inanna could not reclaim the tree alone. She sought help from Utu, who refused, and only Gilgamesh stepped forward. This shows that even the mighty require aid, and true power comes from unity and alliances.
Heroes Prove Themselves Through Deeds
Gilgamesh’s actions mirror the Sumerian warrior code—strength, courage, and loyalty. By slaying the serpent and banishing the dark forces, he proves himself worthy of divine gifts. Strength alone is not enough; a hero must act with purpose.
Transformation, Not Just Victory
The tree is not simply reclaimed—it is transformed into sacred objects. This reflects the idea that struggles lead to new beginnings. Hardships are not just battles to win, but opportunities to create something greater.
The Cycle of Life and Renewal
The tree drifts through the waters, is claimed by darkness, and is then reclaimed and reshaped. This mirrors the natural cycle of growth, decay, and rebirth—a core belief in many ancient mythologies.
Feminine Power and Sacred Wisdom
Inanna, the goddess of love, war, and fertility, represented both creation and destruction. She nurtured the tree, yet required a warrior to reclaim its power. This highlighted the balance between divine wisdom and mortal action.
Final Thought
This myth teaches that restoring balance requires effort, courage, and transformation. Gods and mortals alike must face trials, seek help when needed, and embrace change to forge something new from the past.
Explore Additional Information
Go To The Myth Summary Page
The Huluppu Tree Legend: How Gilgamesh and Inanna Battled the Serpent and Lilith
Find More Myths and Explore Sumerian Gods & Goddesses
References
- Faculty of Oriental Studies, Gilgameš, Enkidu and the nether world (The Electronic Text Corpus of Sumerian Literature, 2006-12-19)
- Matt Clayton, Sumerian Mythology: Captivating Myths Of Gods, Goddesses, And Legendary Creatures of Ancient Sumer and Their Importance To The Sumerians (Captivating History, 2019) Page 55
- Samuel Noah Kramer, Sumerian Mythology: A Study of Spiritual And Literary Achievement in the Third Millenium B.C. (General Press, 2021)
