Summary page for Utu, the Sumerian god of the sun and divine justice.
Pantheon:
Deity Of:
Sun, Justice
Archetype:
Sun God: Symbol of light and growth.
Justice Deity: Embodied fairness and judgment.
Protector: Safeguarded travelers and provided guidance.
Heroic Deity: Aided legendary figures like Gilgamesh.
Group:
Member of the Anunnaki, major deities in Mesopotamian belief.
Part of the astral triad with Nanna (Sin) and Inanna (Ishtar).
Connected to the divine judges, including the “Eleven Standing Gods of Ebabbar.”
Other Names (a.k.a.):
Amna, Šamaš, Shamash, Umulua, Umunesiga, Uttu, Utug, Utuki
Other Pantheons:
Akkadian Pantheon: Known as Shamash, sharing similar solar and judicial roles.
Hurrian Pantheon: Paralleled by Shimige, the sun god.
Ugaritic Pantheon: Linked to Shapash, a sun goddess.
Hittite Tradition: Depicted as both the Sun god of Heaven and the Sun goddess of the Earth.
God of the sun and justice. He upheld fairness and truth.
The divine judge was responsible for overseeing both the living and the dead.
Protector of travelers and merchants, ensuring safe journeys.
Warrior deity; defended truth and aided heroes like Gilgamesh.
Revered in divination, especially liver-based omens for guidance.
Symbol of light conquering darkness and evil, representing moral strength.
Helper of heroes; supported legendary figures in their quests.
“Illuminator of all”; seen as bringing clarity to all matters.
Connected to the underworld, guiding souls and judging them.
He was also known for aiding in exorcisms.
Siblings:
Ereshkigal – goddess of the Underworld as Queen of The Dead
Inanna – goddess of Fertility, Love, War, Procreation
Ishkur – god of Storm, Wind
Numushda – god of Flooding
Consorts:
Sherida – goddess of the Sun, Dawn
Children:
Kittu – god of Truth
Mamu, Sisig, and Zaqar – deities of dreams linked to visions.
Ishum – a god associated with fire and justice.
Solar Disc and Sun Rays: Shown with rays from his shoulders, symbolizing light and justice.
Saw (šaššaru): Held a large saw, representing dawn’s first light or a tool for justice.
Seated on a Throne: Often shown surrounded by worshipers, reinforcing his divine status.
Rod and Ring: Depicted with these symbols, highlighting authority and kingship.
Celestial Chariot: Depicted riding a chariot pulled by symbolic animals, representing his solar power.
Winged Sun Disc: Used in Neo-Assyrian art, denoting celestial authority.
Hammurabi’s Stele: Portrayed passing a rod to Hammurabi, emphasizing his role as a lawgiver.
Cylinder Seals: Displayed climbing mountains or in a boat, symbolizing sunrise and travel.
Sun God Tablet: Featured in Sippar’s artifact, emphasizing his imposing, archaic form.
Sippar Cylinder Seal (2300 BCE): Shown with rays and a saw, cutting through eastern mountains.
Weapons:
Saw (šaššaru): Represented Utu’s role in justice and dawn’s first light. Depicted cutting through the darkness and symbolizing judgment.
Notched Dagger: Associated with Utu/Shamash, symbolizing power and enforcement of justice
Sacred Animals:
Chariot Animals: Utu’s chariot was pulled by four symbolic animals, often seen as equids or mules.
Bison-Men (Kusarikku): Protective creatures depicted as part of Utu’s court and standard-bearers.
Human-Headed Bull (Alima): Linked to Utu’s sun disc, its head sometimes served as an emblem.
Scorpion-Man (Girtablullu): Guardians of the sunrise mountain in myths like The Epic of Gilgamesh.
Symbolism:
Solar Disc: The main symbol is depicted as a four-pointed star with wavy lines.
Winged Sun Disc: Neo-Assyrian symbol representing celestial power and justice.
Rod and Ring: Represented kingship and Utu’s authority over law.
Light Rays: Emanated from his shoulders, symbolizing light and truth.
Number 20: Numerically associated with Utu, reflecting his solar connection.
Twin Mountains: Symbolized sunrise and sunset, marking his daily journey.
Celestial Associations:
Sun God: Utu was the god of the sun, symbolizing light and justice.
Part of the Astral Triad: He was included with Nanna (moon) and Inanna (Venus) as key celestial deities.
Twin Mountains and Cosmic Gates: Represented sunrise and sunset, the entry and exit points of his journey.
Constellations: Guided Gilgamesh using seven constellations in myth, showing his guiding role.
Winged Sun Disc: Symbolized his celestial authority in the Neo-Assyrian period.
Realms:
The Sky: Utu traversed the sky daily as the sun, overseeing earth and justice.
Nether Sky: Traveled above the underworld at night, judging spirits and maintaining order.
Underworld: Acted as a judge of the dead, extending his justice beyond life.
Buduhudug Mountain: This was a mythical location where he met Sherida at sunset, symbolizing the day’s end.
Worship Places:
Utu, known as Shamash, was mainly worshiped in Sippar and Larsa. His temples, called E-babbar or “White House,” were prominent in these cities.
List of Temples Dedicated to Utu
- Ebabbar Temple in Sippar: The main temple was central to worship and religious activities.
- Ebabbar Temple in Larsa: A key place of veneration, expanded by many rulers.
- Ehulhuldirdirra in Assur: Honored Utu alongside the moon god Sin.
- E-ešbaranki in Babylon: Part of the Esagil complex, emphasized justice and divination.
- Edikukalamma in Babylon: Known as “House of the Judge of the Land.”
- Egirzalanki in Mari: Built by King Yahdun-Lim; it connected heaven and the underworld.
- Ehili in Ur: Called “House of Luxuriance,” rebuilt by Enannatumma.
- Temple in Kar-Shamash: Suggested Utu’s temple presence near Ur.
- Temples in Susa, Elam: Indicated Utu’s worship extended into Elamite regions.
- Unspecified Temples: Kassite-period texts listed additional temples without locations.
Rituals & Divinations:
Lubuštu Ceremony in Sippar: Involved dressing Utu’s statues; lasted into the Achaemenid period.
Extispicy Divination: Priests interpreted entrails for guidance, often for royal decisions.
Neo-Assyrian Royal Queries: Kings consulted Utu on state matters like rebellions and loyalty.
Sunset Prayer Ritual: Described Utu returning home and being greeted by his gatekeeper.
Morning Prayers: Worshipers invoked Utu at dawn for light and justice.
Judicial Role: Invoked in oaths, treaties, and business for fair judgment.
Festivals:
Monthly Celebrations: Held on the 8th, 15th, and 20th of each month.
Lubuštu Festival in Sippar: Featured dressing statues of Utu, Aya, and Bunene with new garments.
Biblical References:
Though no direct mentions of Utu are in the bible, there are references to sun worship that are similar to the worship practices of Utu.
2 Kings 23:5, 11: King Josiah removed sun-worship practices from Judah. He also burned the chariots dedicated to the sun.
Deuteronomy 4:19: Warned against worshiping the sun, moon, and stars.
Jeremiah 8:2: Condemned worshipers of the sun, predicting their remains would be exposed.
Ezekiel 8:16: Vision showed men worshiping the rising sun in the Jerusalem temple.
Mythology Themes
Heroic Support: Utu often aided heroes, supporting quests and protecting travelers.
Justice and Judgment: Presided over justice, ensuring truth and fairness for mortals and spirits.
Underworld Connection: Helped delay Dumuzi’s capture by demons, showing his protective side.
Cosmic Order: Represented light and order, maintaining the balance between life and death.
Agricultural Role: Associated with bringing resources, as seen in myths about grain.
Mythology Stories With Mentions of Utu
Gilgamesh and Humbaba: Utu guided and supported Gilgamesh, sending winds to subdue Humbaba.
Inanna’s Descent: Utu helped protect Dumuzi from the galla demons, showing loyalty.
Inanna and An: Assisted Inanna in bringing the Eanna temple from heaven to earth.
How Grain Came to Sumer: He volunteered to assist in bringing barley and linking him to agriculture.
Epic of Gilgamesh (Old Babylonian): Acted as Gilgamesh’s patron, intervened during battles and offered guidance.
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, Shamash (Wikipedia Free Encyclopedia, February 10, 2024)
- Ruth Horry, Utu/Šamaš (god) (Oracc and the UK Higher Education Academy, 2019)