Sumerian Origins Story Of Gods Nanna, Nergal, Ninazu, and Enbilulu
Summary page for the myth of Enlil and Ninlil. Explore this ancient story of love, exile, and the origin of gods.
Enlil, the powerful god of wind, fell in love with Ninlil, a beautiful young goddess. Her mother warned her to stay away from the river where Enlil walked, but she ignored the advice. Enlil saw her, wanted to be with her, and tricked her with the help of his servant, Nuska.
After Ninlil became pregnant with the moon god, Nanna, the other gods punished Enlil by sending him away from the city. Ninlil followed him, and along the way, Enlil disguised himself as different men. They had three more children—Nergal, Ninazu, and Enbilulu.
In addition to being the origin story of Sumerian powerful gods of moon and war, the myth honors Enlil as a powerful and important god, and raises Ninlil to a status of a powerful goddess.
Love’s Eternal Dance: Story of Love
Enlil desired Ninlil, but their relationship was marked by coercion.
In some versions, Enlil and Sud’s story focused on courtship and marriage.
The myth contrasts forceful love with a fated union.
Descent to the Netherworld: Journey to the Underworld
Enlil’s exile led him and Ninlil toward the underworld.
Enlil disguised himself along the journey to deceive Ninlil.
Their sons, including Nergal and Ninazu, were tied to the underworld’s rule.
Gods and Goddesses In The Myth Of Enlil and Ninlil
Enlil (Lord of the Air, Chief Deity of Sumerian Pantheon)
- Ruled wind, air, and storms.
- Desired Ninlil and tricked her into being with him.
- He was exiled for his actions but remained a powerful god.
- Honored as the supreme deity by the end of the myth.
Ninlil (Goddess of Destiny, Consort of Enlil)
- Originally named Sud before marrying Enlil.
- Ignored her mother’s warning and bathed in the sacred river.
- Refused Enlil’s advances but was later tricked.
- Followed Enlil into exile and bore four divine children.
- Associated with fertility and the cycle of life.
Nunbarshegunu (Ninlil’s Mother, Wise Woman)
- Warned Ninlil to stay away from Enlil.
- Represented wisdom and maternal guidance.
Haia (God of Stores, Father of Ninlil)
- Father of Ninlil, associated with grain and storehouses.
- Provided abundance and sustenance to the people.
- Linked to fertility and food supplies.
Nuska (Minister of Enlil, Master Builder of E-Kur)
- Trusted servant and advisor to Enlil.
- Helped Enlil cross the river to reach Ninlil.
- Associated with wisdom and divine messages.
Nanna / Suen / Sin (God of the Moon, Son of Enlil and Ninlil)
- Firstborn son of Enlil and Ninlil.
- Represented the moon and celestial order.
- Worshiped as a god of time, wisdom, and fate.
Nergal (God of War and the Underworld, Son of Enlil and Ninlil)
- The second son was conceived when Enlil disguised himself as a gatekeeper.
- Ruled over the underworld and destruction.
- Linked to war and plague.
Ninazu (God of Boundaries and the Underworld, Son of Enlil and Ninlil)
- The third son was born when Enlil disguised himself as a river deity.
- God of boundaries, healing, and the afterlife.
- Associated with measuring fields and divine law.
Enbilulu (God of Canals and Irrigation, Son of Enlil and Ninlil)
- The fourth son was conceived when Enlil disguised himself as a ferryman.
- Controlled rivers and agricultural irrigation.
- Ensured fertile lands and abundant harvests.
Other Notable Characters In The Myth of Enlil and Ninlil
SI.LU.IGI (Ferryman of the Netherworld, Disguised by Enlil)
- Ferryman of the Id-Kura River, a boundary between worlds.
- Enlil disguised himself as SI.LU.IGI to deceive Ninlil.
The Man of the Id-Kura (River Spirit, Disguised by Enlil)
- Guardian of the Id-Kura River, connected to the underworld.
- Enlil took his form to continue deceiving Ninlil.
The City Gatekeeper (Guardian of Nippur’s Gates, Disguised by Enlil)
- Guarded the entrance to Nippur.
- Enlil impersonated him to trick Ninlil again.
Realms and Places In The Myth Of Enlil and Ninlil
Nippur (Nibru) – Sacred City of Enlil
- The main setting of the myth.
- Home to Enlil and Ninlil before his exile.
- It contained the E-Kur temple, Enlil’s primary worship site.
- A religious center linked to destiny and divine authority.
E-Kur (Temple of Enlil, “Mountain House”)
- Enlil’s grand temple in Nippur.
- Seen as the seat of divine power.
- A sacred place where destinies were decreed.
Id-Kura (The River Between the Living and the Netherworld)
- A mythical river separating the living world from the underworld.
- Enlil disguised himself as its guardian to deceive Ninlil.
- Called the “man-eating river,” symbolizing death and transition.
Shuruppak (City of Ninlil’s Worship)
- A major center of Ninlil’s worship, along with Nippur.
- Connected to Ziusudra, the Sumerian Noah.
- Associated with destiny and divine wisdom.
Ereš (City Where Sud/Ninlil Was Raised)
- The hometown of Ninlil before her marriage to Enlil.
- Linked to her divine heritage and upbringing.
- A sacred city of Nisaba, goddess of writing and grain.
Myth of Enlil and Ninlil
Sumerian Origins Story Of Gods Nanna, Nergal, Ninazu, and Enbilulu
A Forbidden Warning
The story takes place in Nippur, Enlil’s sacred city.
Enlil, the powerful god of wind, notices Ninlil, a young maiden.
Ninlil’s mother warns her not to bathe in the holy river.
Desire and Deception
Ninlil ignores the warning and walks by the river.
Enlil sees her and tries to win her love.
When Ninlil refuses him, Enlil seeks help from Nuska.
With Nuska’s aid, Enlil tricks Ninlil.
Ninlil becomes pregnant with Nanna, the moon god.
Divine Judgment and Exile
The gods discover Enlil’s actions and declare him impure.
As punishment, they banish him from Nippur.
Ninlil chooses to follow him into exile.
The Journey of Disguises
As they travel, Enlil disguises himself to deceive Ninlil.
City Gatekeeper: The birth of Nergal (god of war and underworld).
Man of the River: The birth of Ninazu (god of boundaries and healing).
Ferryman of Underworld: The birth of Enbilulu (god of canals and irrigation).
Enlil’s Divine Authority
Despite his exile, Enlil remains a supreme deity.
The myth ends with praise for his power and rule.
Ninlil accepts her role as his consort, securing her divine status.
Their four children shaped key aspects of the Sumerian cosmos:
- Nanna (Suen): Ruled the moon and celestial order.
- Nergal: Became the feared god of war and the underworld.
- Ninazu: Governed boundaries, healing, and the transition between worlds.
- Enbilulu: Controlled rivers, canals, and agriculture, ensuring fertility.
Find More Myths and Explore Sumerian Gods & Goddesses
- 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 13
- The Editors of Encyclopaedia Britannica, Ninlil: Mesopotamian deity (Encyclopedia Britannica, May 12, 2023)
- Samuel Noah Kramer, Sumerian Mythology: A Study of Spiritual And Literary Achievement in the Third Millenium B.C. (General Press, 2021)
- Faculty of Oriental Studies, Enlil and Ninlil (The Electronic Text Corpus of Sumerian Literature, 2006-12-19)
- Faculty of Oriental Studies, Enlil and Sud (The Electronic Text Corpus of Sumerian Literature, 2006-12-19)
- The Editors of Encyclopaedia Britannica, Myths (Encyclopedia Britannica, January 09, 2022)