The Knot of Inanna is sacred to the Goddess. The image of this knot was the first written form of the Goddess's name. The Knot of Inanna often appears as the top of a tall pole. This symbol of the Goddess's authority was probably the original archetype of the much later crosier, which is carried by christian bishops and abbots.
  
Inanna descended into the underworld, adorned in Lapis Lazuli. She died and in three days returned alive to walk upon the Earth. The story of Her descent and return are ancient rebirth stories. Inanna's rising from the dead is a forerunner of the christian story of Jesus's resurrection, which parallels the earlier Inanna journey. The book "Inanna Queen of Heaven and Earth" by Wolkstein & Kramer recounts this tale in translations of ancient tablets.
 ,br>
 
Inanna is the Goddess of the Morning and Evening Star. The Semites honored Inanna as Ishtar. She Presides over the birth of both night and day. Next to Inanna is the sacred star sign of brilliant Venus. The Star of Venus is a symbol of both death and rebirth. The winged Goddess moved freely between the worlds.
Childbirth
Among Her many other titles, Inanna is the "Goddess of Love and Procreation". Sacred marriage rites were performed at New Year and the blessings of Inanna were sought to insure fertility.
This flame burns to honor Inanna
May She grant the blessings of Fertility
to all who seek this Gift.
Inanna is known as "First Daughter of the Moon" Sitting upon Her lapis lazuli throne, She was the beloved Goddess of Sumeria.
 
The Rosette has been a symbol associated with many Goddesses, but it is especiially sacred to both Inanna, Ishtar and Astarte. Some scholars think that the Rosette is a symbol for the star of Venus. The Rosette is the "Star of the Earth" and grows up from the underworld beneath the ground. It is the Earth's star, as Venus is the star of the heavens. Many carved rosettes have survived, they vary widely in their patterns, but all are clearly representations of the rosette.
Enheduanna
Below are the words of a high priestess, named Enheduanna (en-hey'-du-ana),
who worshipped the Goddess, Inanna. Enheduanna, is the first known author in
the history of writing, she was a high priestess who lived 4,000 years ago in
the city of Ur, (now southern Iraq).
The passage below is a new translation of Enheduanna's poetry from the recently
published book "Inanna, Lady of the Largest Heart" by Betty DeShong Meador,
(University of Texas Press, Austin). Inanna, Lady of the Largest Heart at Amazon.com
"Queen of all given powers/unveiled clear light/
unfailing woman wearing brilliance/cherished in heaven and earth/
chosen, sanctified in heaven/you/grand in your adornments/
crowned with your beloved goodness/rightfully you are High Priestess/
your hands seize the seven fixed powers/my queen of fundamental forces/
guardian of essential cosmic sources/you lift up the elements/
bind them to your hands/gather in powers/press them to your breast/
vicious dragon you spew/venom poisons the land/like the storm god you howl/
grain wilts on the ground/swollen flood rushing down the mountain/
you are Inanna/supreme in heaven and earth..."
by Enheduanna
|
