The summary page of the Sumerian myth of Inanna and The Huluppu Tree. Discover the Sumerian story of Inanna and Gilgamesh’s battle against the dark forces of the serpent, phantom woman Lilith, and the Anzu bird.
Inanna found the sacred Huluppu tree adrift on the Euphrates River. She planted it in Uruk, hoping to craft a throne and bed. But a serpent, the Anzu bird, and Lilith took refuge in its branches. Seeking help, Inanna turned to her brother Utu, who refused to help. Gilgamesh answered her plea, slaying the serpent and driving away the other creatures. He cut down the tree, and Inanna used its wood for her sacred objects. In gratitude, she gifted Gilgamesh the pukku and mikku, mysterious tools of power.
Themes in Inanna and the Huluppu Tree
Genesis of Realms: Creation of the World and Divine Order
The story begins with the division of heaven, earth, and the underworld.
An claimed the heavens, Enlil took the earth, and Ereshkigal received the underworld.
Myth established the foundation of the cosmos and divine hierarchy.
Beasts and Bravery of Heroes: The Hero’s Battle Against Monsters
A powerful serpent nested at the base of the Huluppu tree.
Gilgamesh killed the serpent, proving his strength and courage.
His actions also drove the mighty Anzu Bird and the fearsome demon woman Lilith from the tree.
Conflict and the Warrior’s Code: Strength and Duty in Battle
Gilgamesh prepared for battle, arming himself with heavy bronze weapons.
His victory reflected Sumerian ideals of heroism and warrior duty.
Demonstrated the expectation of leaders to protect their people.
Gods, Goddesses, and Heroes in The Myth Of Inanna and The Huluppu Tree
Inanna (Goddess of Love, War, and Fertility)
- Discovered the Huluppu tree floating in the Euphrates River.
- Planted the tree in her sacred garden in Uruk.
- Planned to use its wood for a throne and bed.
- Cried when a serpent, the Anzu Bird, and Lilith took over the tree.
- She sought help from her brother Utu, who refused.
- She turned to Gilgamesh, who helped her reclaim the tree.
Utu (Sun God, Brother of Inanna)
- Inanna asked him for help removing the creatures from the tree.
- Refused to assist her, leaving her in distress.
An (Anu) (Sky God, Supreme Deity of the Sumerian Pantheon)
- Took the heavens when the world was divided.
- Mentioned as a figure Inanna respected.
Enlil (God of Wind, Air, and Earth, King of the Gods)
- Claimed the earth when the divine order was established.
- Recognized as a powerful force, Inanna honored.
Enki (God of Water, Wisdom, and Magic)
- Ruled over water, wisdom, and creation.
- Traveled to the netherworld, facing violent storms.
- Mentioned in the myth’s introduction.
Ereshkigal (Goddess of the Underworld)
- Received the underworld as her domain.
- Not directly involved in the tree’s fate, but was honorably mentioned in the beginning of the myth.
Gilgamesh (Hero and King of Uruk)
- Answered Inanna’s plea after Utu refused.
- He armed himself with a powerful axe to battle the creatures.
- Killed the serpent at the tree’s roots.
- This caused the Anzu Bird and Lilith to flee.
- He cut down the tree and gave the wood to Inanna.
Other Notable Characters In The Myth Of Inanna And The Huluppu Tree
The Huluppu Tree (Sacred Tree, Possibly a Willow)
- It was uprooted by a storm and carried down the Euphrates River.
- Inanna rescued it and planted it in her garden.
- Supernatural beings took refuge in it, preventing her from using it.
- Gilgamesh later cut it down after driving the creatures away.
The Serpent (Unnamed, Immune to Incantations)
- Nested at the roots of the Huluppu tree.
- It could not be banished by magic or incantations.
- Blocked Inanna from using the tree.
- Gilgamesh killed it with his mighty axe.
The Anzu Bird (Zu-Bird, Mythological Creature of Storms and Wind)
- Built its nest in the tree’s branches.
- Prevented Inanna from cutting the tree down.
- Fled to the mountains when Gilgamesh slew the serpent.
Lilith (Phantom Maid, Spirit of Desolation)
- She made her home inside the tree’s trunk.
- One of the beings preventing Inanna from using the tree.
- Abandoned the tree and fled into the wilderness when Gilgamesh intervened.
Realms In Inanna and the Huluppu Tree
Heaven (Realm of An, the Sky God)
- An claimed Heaven when the cosmos was divided.
- Represents the divine order and celestial power.
Earth (Realm of Humans and Gods, Claimed by Enlil)
- Enlil took Earth as his domain in the cosmic division.
- Serves as the setting for Inanna’s journey and struggles.
The Netherworld (Underworld, Ruled by Ereshkigal)
- Given to Ereshkigal as her domain.
- Enki later traveled toward it, facing violent storms.
Places in Inanna and the Huluppu Tree
Uruk (Unug) (City of Inanna and Gilgamesh)
- A central city in Sumerian mythology.
- Inanna planted the Huluppu tree in her sacred garden here.
- Gilgamesh ruled Uruk and came to Inanna’s aid.
The Euphrates River (Sacred River of Sumer)
- The Huluppu tree originally grew along its banks.
- A great storm uprooted the tree and carried it downstream.
- Inanna found the tree floating in its waters.
Inanna’s Garden (Sacred Space in Uruk)
- Inanna planted the rescued Huluppu tree here.
- She planned to use its wood for a throne and bed.
- Supernatural creatures later took refuge in the tree.
The Mountains (The Anzu Bird’s Refuge)
- After Gilgamesh killed the serpent, the Anzu Bird fled here.
- Symbolizes a place of escape and protection.
The Wilderness (Lilith’s Refuge)
- Lilith abandoned the tree and fled here after Gilgamesh intervened.
- Represents isolation and the untamed unknown.
The Myth of Inanna and the Huluppu Tree
The World Order is Set
The myth begins with an introduction to the world order.
The gods divided the universe.
An took the heavens.
Enlil took the earth.
Ereshkigal received the underworld.
Enki sailed for the netherworld and encountered violent storms.
Chaos has been reigned in.
The Birth of the Huluppu Tree
A sacred Huluppu tree grew along the Euphrates, nourished by its waters.
A powerful storm uprooted the tree and carried it downstream.
Inanna, walking along the riverbank, found the floating tree.
She rescued it and planted it in her sacred garden in Uruk.
The Tree Falls Under a Dark Influence
Inanna tended the tree, hoping to craft a throne and a bed.
The tree grew strong, but supernatural beings took refuge in it.
A serpent that was immune to magic coiled around its roots.
The fearsome Anzu Bird built a nest in its branches.
Lilith, a phantom maid, made her home inside the trunk.
The creatures prevented Inanna from cutting the tree down.
Heartbroken, Inanna wept over her lost dream.
Inanna Seeks Help
Inanna pleaded with Utu, the sun god, but he refused to help.
Desperate, she turned to Gilgamesh.
Gilgamesh agreed to help the goddess.
Gilgamesh Battles the Tree’s Inhabitants
Gilgamesh armed himself with a massive bronze axe.
He struck down the serpent, breaking its hold on the tree.
The Anzu Bird fled to the mountains with its young.
Lilith abandoned the tree and escaped into the wilderness.
The Tree is Restored
With the creatures gone, Gilgamesh cut down the tree.
He stripped its branches and prepared the sacred wood.
Inanna finally reclaimed the tree for her divine purpose.
The Gifts of the Huluppu Tree
Inanna used the wood to craft her throne and bed.
As a reward, she gave Gilgamesh two sacred objects—the pukku and mikku.
The tree’s journey ended, but its legacy lived through these gifts.
Find More Sumerian Myths and Explore Sumerian Gods & Goddesses
- 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)