Summary page for Ninsar, the Sumerian goddess of plants and vegetation.
Pantheon:
Deity Of:
Plants and Vegetation, Butcher of Ekur
Archetype:
Earth Mother: Represented fertility, nurturing, and the life-giving power of nature.
Harvest Deity: Oversaw agriculture, plant growth, and seasonal cycles.
Group:
Šassūrātu: A group of divine midwives assisting the goddess Ninmah in birth and creation.
Courtiers of Enlil: A select group of deities serving the chief god Enlil.
Other Names (a.k.a.):
Ninma, Ninmu, Nin-nisig, Ninsar, Urbadgumgum
Goddess of Plants and Fertility: Honored for overseeing vegetation, fertility, and agricultural prosperity.
Deity of Nourishment and Food: Respected for ensuring the quality and abundance of food.
Butcher of Ekur: Recognized for preparing meat, possibly for rituals and temple offerings.
Divine Helper (Šassūrātu Member): Valued as a midwife assisting in birth and creation.
Artisan and Creator: Revered for craftsmanship and contributions to sacred construction.
Parents:
Ninhursag – goddess of Earth, Animals, Wildlife, Birth, Fertility
Enki – god of Water, Fish, Justice, Wisdom, Magic, Shipmenders, Crafts, Healing, Fertility, Art, Exorcism
Siblings:
None Known
Consorts:
None Known
Children:
Ninkurru – goddess of Land, Artisans, Sculptors
Young and Beautiful Woman: Artists portrayed Ninsar as youthful and graceful in appearance.
Symbol of Nourishment: Known as “she who makes the food good,” highlighting her role in food preparation.
Depicted with Tools: Statues and images showed her holding knives or tools, representing her duties as a divine housekeeper and carpenter.
Nature Imagery: Her name, “Lady Greenery,” inspired depictions of green plants and nature symbols.
Animal Associations: The artwork featured cattle and sheep, symbolizing her connection to livestock and food supply.
Temple Depictions: Temples and sacred objects showed her preparing food and making offerings to the gods.
Weapons:
Knives: People connected Ninsar with knives, especially in her role as a cook.
Sacred Animals:
None Known
Symbolism:
Plants and Greenery: Symbolized fertility, growth, and renewal in nature.
Culinary Tools: Knives and cooking vessels represented her role in food preparation.
Artisan Tools: Chisels and woodworking tools reflected her creative and constructive abilities.
The Color Green: Which was associated with vegetation, fertility, and life.
Meat and Livestock: Cattle and sheep symbolized her connection to nourishment and care.
Celestial Associations:
Earthly Focus – Her influence centered on fertility, plants, and nourishment.
Realms:
E-Kur: The Sumerian Garden Of The Gods
Fertile Earthly Realms: Oversaw fields, gardens, and lands rich in vegetation and growth.
Domestic and Culinary Realms: Influenced kitchens, food preparation areas, and ritual feasting spaces.
Artisan and Creative Realms: Connected to spaces of craftsmanship, construction, and divine creation.
Worship Places:
Nippur: Home to the temple E-šuluhhatumma, possibly dedicated to Ninsar for purification rituals.
Shuruppak: Recognized as a worship center, though specific temples are unknown.
Ur: King Shulgi built a temple dedicated to Ninsar during the Ur III period.
Lagash (Girsu): Uruinimgina built a temple for Ninsar in this religious hub.
AB.NAGAR: Mentioned in hymns as a cult center for her worship.
Umma: Evidence suggests Ninsar was worshiped here during the Ur III period.
Rituals & Divinations:
Ninsar played a role in divine housekeeping. She also had skills in crafting, like a carpenter.
Purification Rituals (Implied) – Linked to water-based cleansing ceremonies at E-šuluhhatumma temple.
Meat Offerings (Implied) – Her title, “Butcher of Ekur,” suggests ritual meat preparation and offerings.
Mythology Themes Related to Ninsar
Genesis of Realms – She was created to support human civilization by providing essential goods and offerings.
Mythology Story Mentions
Myth: Enki and Ninhursag
Role: Daughter of Enki and Ninhursag, mother of Ninkurra, continuing divine creation.
Myth: Enki and Ninmah
Role: One of the seven divine assistants (Šassūrātu), helping in creation and fertility.
Myth: The First Brick
Role: Created by Ea (Enki) to support humanity with goods for offerings.
Visit All Sumerian Gods & Goddesses
- Charles Russell Coulter and Patricia Turner, Encyclopedia of Ancient Deities (McFarland Myth and Legend Encyclopedias) (McFarland & Company, Inc., Publishers Jefferson, North Carolina, 1997)
- 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, Ninsar (Wikipedia Free Encyclopedia, January 30, 2023) https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nin%C5%A1ar
- Samuel Noah Kramer, Sumerian Mythology: A Study of Spiritual And Literary Achievement in the Third Millenium B.C. (General Press, 2021)