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| Enlil with the plow, Haia the barley god, Nisaba the goddess of grain, Ninlil goddess |
The World Before Creation
This myth, often called the myth of Ashnan (Nisaba)describes the early appearance of the great gods on the mountain of heaven and earth when nothing had yet been created.
neither the lesser gods nor animals like the ewe, nor grains like barley.
In that primordial time, humans knew nothing, and it seems to us that they were created on the sacred hill of the universe (An-Ki) .
before the separation of the sky from the earth, in other words, before the appearance of the gods.
Humans appeared like the universe from the primordial watery abyss, but they appeared as animals walking on their hands and feet.
Myth Overview
| Aspect | Details |
|---|---|
| Myth | Ashnan and Lahar |
| Civilization | Sumerian |
| Main Deities | Ashnan, Lahar, Enki, and Enlil |
| Ashnan's Role | Goddess of grain, agriculture, and nourishment |
| Lahar's Role | God of cattle, livestock, and abundance |
| Purpose of Humanity | To manage food production and serve the gods |
| Main Theme | Agriculture, civilization, and divine abundance |
Here is an excerpt from this myth
After on the mountain of heaven and earth,
An (the heaven-god) had caused the Anunnaki (his followers) to be born
Because the name Ashnan (the grain-goddess) had not been born, had not been fashioned,
Because Uttu (the goddess of plants) had not been fashioned,
Because to Uttu no temenos had been set up,
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| Uttu, Enki‘s daughter, Goddess of Weaving |
There was no ewe, no lamb was dropped,
There was no goat, no kid was dropped,
The ewe did not give birth to its two lambs,
The goat did not give birth to its three kids.
Because the name of Ashnan, the wise, and Lahar (the cattle-god),
The Anunnaki, the great gods, did not know,
The . . . grain of thirty days did not exist,
The . . . grain of forty days did not exist,
The small grains, the grain of the mountain, the grain of the pure living creatures did not exist.
Because Uttu had not been born, because the crown (of vegetation?) had not been raised,
Because the lord . . . had not been born,
Because Sumugan, the god of the plain, had not come forth,
Like mankind when first created,
They the Anunnaki knew not the eating of bread,
Knew not the dressing of garments,
Ate plants with their mouth like sheep,
Drank water from the ditch.
The Birth of Ashnan and Lahar
In those days, in the creation chamber of the gods,
In their house Dulkug, Lahar and Ashnan were fashioned;
The produce of Lahar and Ashnan,
The Anunnaki of the Dulkug eat, but remain unsated;
In their pure sheepfolds milk, . . ., and good things,
The Anunnaki of the Dulkug drink, but remain unsated;
For the sake of the good things in their pure sheepfolds,
Man was given breath.
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| Enki in the Abzu to fashion replacement workers |
Ashnan and Lahar at a Glance
The myth of Ashnan and Lahar explains how grain, livestock, and human civilization entered the world. In this Sumerian story, the gods create Ashnan, the goddess of grain, and Lahar, the god of cattle, to provide food and abundance. Humanity is then given a role in managing these divine gifts, linking civilization, agriculture, and religious duty into a single cosmic system.
Ashnan and Lahar Bring Abundance to Earth
Symbolic Roles in the Myth of Ashnan and Lahar
The following table highlights the symbolic elements of the myth and their importance in the development of human society in Sumerian mythology.
| Element | Symbolic Meaning |
|---|---|
| Ashnan | Grain goddess; represents nourishment, bread, and agriculture |
| Lahar | Cattle god; symbolizes milk, livestock, and abundance |
| Humans | Created to manage and distribute divine food |
| Wine | Symbol of civilization, luxury, and eventual conflict |
| The Gods’ Feast | Celebration of balance, divine satisfaction, and order |
In those days Enki says to Enlil:
"Father Enlil, Lahar and Ashnan,
They who have been created in the Dulkug,
Let us cause them to descend from the Dulkug."
At the pure word of Enki and Enlil,
Lahar and Ashnan descended from the Dulkug.
For Lahar they (Enlil and Enki) set up the sheepfold,
Plants, herbs, and . . . they present to him;
For Ashnan they establish a house,
Plow and yoke they present to her.
Lahar standing in his sheepfold,
A shepherd increasing the bounty of the sheepfold is he;
Ashnan standing among the crops,
A maid kindly and bountiful is she
Abundance of heaven . . . ,
Lahar and Ashnan caused to appear,
In the assembly they brought abundance,
In the land they brought the breath of life,
The decrees of the god they direct,
The contents of the warehouses they multiply,
The storehouses they fill full.
In the house of the poor, hugging the dust,
Entering they bring abundance;
The pair of them, wherever they stand,
Bring heavy increase into the house;
The place where they stand they sate, the place where they sit they
supply,
They made good the heart of An and Enlil.
quarrel in the farms and fields. In the arguments which ensued, each
deity extolled its achievements and belittled those of its opponent.
Finally Enlil and Enki intervened, but the end of the poem which
contains their decision is still wanting.
Thus, the gods of the ewe and barley (Lahar and Ashnan) descended from the sacred hill to the earth, bringing with them humans who went along.
The gods had created cattle and grain and created humans along with them. They found that the gods were still struggling to obtain their food and drink, so they sent the cattle, grain, and humans to earth so that humans could benefit from them and, in turn, serve the gods who needed servants.
The Role of Ashnan in Teaching Humans
The myth illustrated how humans were initially animals walking on all fours and did not eat bread because they did not know how to make it.They were naked because they did not know about clothing. Their food was grass like that of animals, and they drank water from the channels, while the ewe ate barley and drank sweet water but never felt full or quenched.
Therefore, they descended to earth to teach humans these things and make them perform these tasks instead of the gods.
Key Takeaways
- Ashnan was the Sumerian goddess of grain and agricultural abundance.
- Lahar was the god of cattle, livestock, and pastoral wealth.
- The myth explains how agriculture and animal husbandry entered the world.
- Humans were created to manage food production and support the gods.
- The story connects civilization directly to grain, livestock, and labor.
- Ashnan and Lahar symbolize the foundations of prosperity in Sumerian society.
- The myth highlights the importance of food production in maintaining cosmic order.
Frequently Asked Questions About Ashnan and Lahar
Who was Ashnan in Sumerian mythology?
Ashnan was the goddess of grain, agriculture, and nourishment. She represented the crops that sustained both humans and gods.
Who was Lahar?
Lahar was the god of cattle and livestock, symbolizing animal wealth, milk production, and agricultural prosperity.
Why were Ashnan and Lahar created?
The gods created Ashnan and Lahar to provide grain, livestock, food, and abundance for both the divine and human worlds.
What role did humans play in the myth?
Humans were given responsibility for managing grain, livestock, and agricultural production while serving the needs of the gods.
What does Ashnan symbolize?
Ashnan symbolizes agriculture, bread, fertility, nourishment, and the development of civilization.
What does the myth teach about civilization?
The story presents agriculture and animal husbandry as divine gifts that transformed humanity from a primitive existence into an organized society.
Why do Ashnan and Lahar argue in the myth?
Their dispute reflects the importance of both grain and livestock in sustaining life, with each deity claiming greater value than the other.
Sources
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