Summary page for Ninkasi, the Sumerian goddess of beer brewing and wish fulfillment.
Pantheon:
Deity Of:
Fulfilling Wishes, Beer, Wine
Archetype:
Love Goddess: Ninkasi satisfied desires and brought joy to those who worshiped her.
Other Names (a.k.a.):
Kurunnītu, Ninkasi
Ninkasi was the goddess of beer and brewing in Sumer.
She mastered the art of brewing, a revered craft in ancient culture.
She was known to fulfill desires and bring satisfaction.
Her role included providing joy through the consumption of beer.
She influenced the positive and negative effects of beer consumption.
The goddess cured Enki’s mouth, aiding him after he ate enchanted plants.
She was celebrated in the Hymn to Ninkasi, detailing the brewing process.
Her name meant “mistress of beer,” highlighting her divine role.
She was honored as an “expert woman” during mythological banquets.
Parents:
Enki – god of Water, Fish, Justice, Wisdom, Magic, Shipmenders, Crafts, Healing, Fertility, Art, Exorcism
Ninhursag – goddess of Earth, Animals, Wildlife, Birth, Fertility
Siblings:
Abu – god of Plants, Vegetation
Azimua – goddess, a Scribe Of The Underworld
Enshagag – god of Dilmun, was appointed by Enki as Lord of Dilmun
Nanshe – goddess of Sea, Fish and Fishing, Marshlands, Divination, Dream Interpretation, Justice, Social Welfare
Ninsutu – goddess of Healing
Ninti – goddess of Calendars
Nintul – god of Protection of Magan
Consorts:
None Known
Children:
Some sources noted that Ninkasi had five children
- Meḫuš: Glowing Me
- Mekù: Beautiful Crown
- Ememete: Ornate Speech
- Kitušgirizal: Magnificent Seat
- Nušiligga: Not Drying up
Another goddess was believed to be her daughter:
Ninmada: goddess of snake charming
Ninkasi was depicted holding a cup, symbolizing beer.
She appeared in banquet scenes on items like gaming boards and instruments.
Descriptions highlight her fermenting vat made of lapis lazuli.
Her cask was often portrayed as crafted from silver and gold.
Her name, “mistress of beer,” emphasized her brewing role.
Another possible title, “mistress barmaid,” suggested her ties to beer.
She was known as the “brewer of Ekur,” serving in Enlil’s court.
Symbolism:
Name Symbolism: Ninkasi’s name meant “mistress of beer,” reflecting her divine role.
Wordplay: Her name was a pun on “ka” (mouth), symbolizing drinking.
Fermenting Vat and Cask: Her vat, made of lapis lazuli, and cask, from silver and gold, symbolized luxury.
Bappir (Bread): Bappir, an ingredient in brewing, represented her role in beer production.
Symbolism of Beer: Beer symbolized pleasure, intoxication, and the dual effects of drinking.
Weapons:
None Known
Sacred Animals:
None Known
Celestial Associations:
No planets or constellations were directly associated with Ninkasi.
Realms:
Ninkasi was connected to feasting and celebrations.
She was also linked to the brewing process and places where beer was made.
The goddess served as the “brewer of Ekur,” a key temple complex.
She had a dedication called E-ušumgalanna, meaning “dragon of heaven.”
Worship Places:
People worshiped Ninkasi in many parts of Mesopotamia.
She had temples in cities like Nippur and Umma.
- Shuruppak: Her worship was recorded in Early Dynastic documents from this city.
- Eridu: She possibly had a sanctuary here during the Early Dynastic period.
- Umma: The goddess was worshiped there during the Ur III period.
- Nippur: She appeared in offering lists and had a temple during the Middle Babylonian period.
- Egiparku in Ur: She was honored in this sanctuary with a dedication called E-ušumgalanna.
Rituals & Divinations:
Hymn to Ninkasi: This hymn celebrated the brewing process as a sacred ritual.
Brewing Rituals: The hymn described using bappir (bread) and honey, emphasizing divine brewing.
Šurpu Incantation: She appeared with the fire god Gibil, linking brewing with ritual fire use.
Festivals:
Babylonian Festival: Ninkasi, as Kurunnītu, was honored in a festival in Babylon.
Deity Associations: The festival also included Inanna of Uruk, Belet Ninua, Ninlil, and Bizilla.
Integrated Worship: Her veneration was part of larger celebrations, not a standalone festival.
Mythology Stories With Mentions of Ninkasi
Enki and Ninhursag: Ninkasi cured Enki’s mouth, being one of eight deities born.
Lugalbanda and the Anzud Bird: Described as an “expert woman” at a banquet, using divine brewing tools.
Lugalbanda in the Mountain Cave: Ninkasi’s vessel, a metaphor for beer, put the hero to sleep.
Hymn to Ninkasi: Celebrated her brewing role in a poetic guide to beer production.
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, Ninkasi (Wikipedia Free Encyclopedia, August 23, 2023)
- Samuel Noah Kramer, Sumerian Mythology: A Study of Spiritual And Literary Achievement in the Third Millenium B.C. (General Press, 2021)