When the people of Sumer lifted their eyes to the night sky, it was not just darkness they saw, but the silver glow of a god watching over them. That light was Nanna, the moon god, whose slow journey across the heavens marked the rhythm of months and the hidden order of time.
Farmers trusted his light when they tended their crops at night, travelers looked to him to find their way across the plains, and priests raised their prayers under his glow. His presence touched both the everyday lives of the people and the sacred world of the gods.
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| nanna son of Enlil and Ninlil |
| Aspect | Details |
|---|---|
| Sacred Number | 30 (half the authority of Anu, symbol of lunar cycle) |
| Symbols | Crescent moon, winged bull, secondary celestial trinity with Utu and Inanna |
| Temples | Ekišnugal in Ur (“House of the Great Light”), Echulchul in Haran (“House of Joy”) |
| Consort | Ningal (The Great Lady, goddess of dawn and fertility) |
| Mythic Role | Mediator of light and darkness; central figure in “Journey to Nippur” |
Origins and Birth of Nanna
His seed was planted in the womb of Ninlil between the Cane jungle and the Nippur River.
Nanna as the Moon God
He is a significant deity within the Enlil family, but at one point, he was also associated with lunar worship in Neolithic times, linked to the mother goddess.
It’s essential to recognize that this shift from being a descendant of Enlil to not being a maternal deity (in the sense of a mother goddess or Inanna) represents a Sumerian theological upheaval against Neolithic traditions.
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| top panel: King Ur-Namma and giant god Nannar |
Moon God and Unification Attempts
In the Mesopotamian valley, the moon god would become a source of unification attempts, similar to those undertaken by Abraham in Ur and Haran (both of which revered the moon).The last Babylonian king to attempt this unification was Nabonidus.
The god Nanna would continue the Enlil family tree, as we’ll see in subsequent generations.
The god Nanna would continue the Enlil family tree, as we’ll see in subsequent generations.
Symbolism of Nanna: Crescent, Trinity, and Sacred Number
In Sumerian times, his symbol was a crescent moon curving upward, embracing a sun emblem composed of twelve rays—six of them straight and six triangular. This symbol signifies that the moon god embraces his son, the sun god."
Just as Anu and his sons Enlil and Enki were associated in the first Sumerian trinity, Nanna was linked with his children Utu (the sun) and Inanna (Venus) in a second Sumerian trinity, celestial in nature.
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| Nannar’s Ancient Moon Crescent Symbol |
While the first trinity had a cosmic character, the second trinity was astronomical. Both trinities held significant importance in the later development of religious thought.
Nanna’s sacred number is 30, signifying that his authority is half that of Anu, as he stands at the head of a secondary trinity. His sacred animal is the winged bull.
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| Utu-Inanna-children of Nannar |
🌙 Key Facts about Nanna (Suen/Sin)
- ✨ God of the Moon – linked to time, cycles, and divine order.
- 🏛 Main Temples: Ekišnugal (Ur), Echulchul (Haran).
- 🌌 Symbolism: Crescent moon with sun rays, sacred number 30, winged bull.
- 👑 Family: Son of Enlil and Ninlil, father of Utu (Sun) and Inanna (Venus).
- 🚤 Myth: “Journey to Nippur” – bringing offerings to Enlil and receiving blessings.
- 💫 Legacy: A unifying deity in Mesopotamia, worshipped across Sumer, Akkad, and Babylon.
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Temples of Nanna in Ur and Haran
His most important temples were in Ur, where his temple was called Ekišnugal (the ‘House of the Great Light’), and in Haran, where it was known as Echulchul (the ‘House of Joy’).
Consort Ningal and Her Sacred Titles
His consort is the goddess Ningal, also known as the Great Lady. Her notable titles include ‘Barque of the Bright Heavens,’ ‘Radiant Dawn,’ ‘Lord of the Wild Bull Enson,’ ‘Master of the Throne,’ ‘God of the New Light,’ ‘Young Bull of Enlil,’ and ‘The Father.’ |
| goddess Ningal |
The Journey of Nanna to Nippur
Simultaneously, Inanna travels to the city of Eridu to steal the treasures of civilization. Nippur was the sacred city of all Sumer, primarily because the national god of the Sumerians, Enlil, resided there. His central temple, known as Ekišnugal, held immense significance.
The myth begins with the moon god Nanna’s decision to visit Nippur. He stands before his father, Enlil, who addresses him by two other names: Sin and Ašikar Babbar (the guardian god of Ur).
During his journey, Nanna carries various offerings—trees, plants, and animals—aboard his crescent-shaped boat. Along the way, he stops in five cities, where the local guardian deity warmly receives him, ensuring his safe passage to Nippur.
This journey reminds us of the sacred journey undertaken by the god Enki to Nippur. You can read the article in which we discussed Enki's journey to Nippur (Enki: The Holy Voyage to Nippur in Sumerian Mythology)
Upon reaching Nippur, Nanna docks his boat and instructs the gatekeeper to open Enlil’s house. The gatekeeper, filled with joy, opens the magical gate that he himself had created—the gate adorned with trees. Nanna joyfully reunites with his father. Then, Nanna requests several gifts from Enlil:
The Sacred Gifts to Enlil
Doorman, doorkeeper, open the house! Porter, open the house! Kalkal, open the house!“I, Nanna-Suen, have gathered bulls for the cow-pen for the house of Enlil; porter, open the house.
I, Acimbabbar, have collected (?) fattened sheep for the house of Enlil; porter, open the house.
I, Nanna-Suen, shall purify the cow-pen for the house of Enlil; porter, open the house.
I, Acimbabbar, shall feed meal to the goats for the house of Enlil; porter, open the house.
I, Nanna-Suen, have gathered (?) little kuda birds for the house of Enlil; porter, open the house.
I, Acimbabbar, have brought small ubi birds from the pond for the house of Enlil; porter, open the house.
I, Nanna-Suen, have brought small azagun birds from the pond for the house of Enlil; porter, open the house.
“I, Acimbabbar, …… suhur carp for the house of Enlil; porter, open the house.
I, Nanna-Suen, …… ectub carp for the house of Enlil; porter, open the house.
I, Acimbabbar, shall pour the oil of rushes onto the water for the house of Enlil; porter, open the house.
I, Nanna-Suen, have filled baskets with eggs for the house of Enlil; porter, open the house.
I, Acimbabbar, have caused old reed and fresh reed to thrive for the house of Enlil; porter, open the house.
“I, Nanna-Suen, have caused six hundred ewes to give birth to lambs for the house of Enlil,
for I have caused their rams to be let loose among them,
and I have distributed them along the banks of the Id-surungal; porter, open the house.
I, Acimbabbar, have caused six hundred she-goats to give birth to kids for the house of Enlil,
for I have caused their bucks to be let loose among them,
and I have distributed them along the banks of the Id-surungal; porter, open the house.
I, Nanna-Suen, have caused six hundred cows to give birth to calves for the house of Enlil,
for I have caused their bulls to be let loose among them,
and I have distributed them along the banks of the Id-surungal; porter, open the house.
“Porter, open the house! Kalkal, open the house!
I will give you that which is in the prow of the boat as a first offering,
and I will give you that which is in the stern of the boat as a last offering.”
Rejoicing, the porter rejoicing, the porter rejoicing opened the house.
Kalkal, the doorkeeper, rejoicing, the porter rejoicing opened the house.
Kalkal, in charge of the bolt-handle, rejoicing, the porter rejoicing, opened the house.
At the house of Enlil,……, Nanna-Suen made the offerings.
The Blessings of Enlil for Nanna
Enlil, rejoicing over the offerings, offered bread to Suen, his son.Enlil rejoiced over Suen and spoke kindly:
“Give sweet cakes to my little fellow who eats sweet cakes.
Give sweet cakes to my Nanna who loves eating sweet cakes.
Bring out from the E-kur (Enlil‘s temple – residence) the bread allotment and first quality bread for him.
Pour out for him the finest beer, my pure …….
May the …… of the towering tilimda vessels, standing on the ground, …….
Order pure sweet cake, syrup, crescent (?) cake and clear water for him.”
Suen replied to his father who begot him:
“Father who begot me (Enlil), I am indeed satisfied with what you have given me to eat.
O Great Mountain, father who begot me, I am indeed satisfied with what you have given me to drink.
Wherever you lift your eyes, there is kingship.
O Enlil, your abundance is …….
Give to me, Enlil, give to me — I want to set off for Urim (Ur)!
In the river give me the carp-flood — I want to set off for Urim!
In the fields give me speckled barley — I want to set off for Urim!
In the marshes give me kuda carp and suhur carp — I want to set off for Urim!
In the reedbeds give me old reed and fresh reed — I want to set off for Urim!
In the forests give me the ibex and wild ram — I want to set off for Urim!
In the high plain give me the macgurum tree — I want to set off for Urim!
In the orchards give me syrup and wine — I want to set off for Urim!
In the palace give me long life — I want to set off for Urim!”
He gave to him, Enlil gave to him — and he set off for Urim.
In the river he gave him the carp-flood — and he set off for Urim.
In the field he gave him speckled barley — and he set off for Urim.
In the pond he gave him kuda carp and suhur carp — and he set off for Urim.
In the reedbeds he gave him old reed and fresh reed — and he set off for Urim.
In the forests he gave him the ibex and wild ram — and he set off for Urim.
In the high plain he gave him the macgurum tree — and he set off for Urim.
In the orchards he gave him syrup and wine — and he set off for Urim.
In the palace he gave him long life — and he set off for Urim.
My king, on your throne, for Enlil, may Nanna-Suen (Nannar / Sin) make you be born for seven days.
On your holy throne, for the great mother Ninlil,
may the lord Acimbabbar make you be born for seven days.
Key Takeaways
- Nanna (also called Suen, Sin, or Nannar) was the Mesopotamian moon god, son of Enlil and Ninlil.
- He symbolized the cycles of time and the balance between light and darkness.
- His sacred number was 30, and his holy animal was the winged bull.
- Major temples were located in Ur (Ekišnugal) and Haran (Echulchul).
- His consort was Ningal, the “Great Lady,” associated with dawn and fertility.
- The famous myth of his journey to Nippur reflects his divine role and connection to Enlil.
Frequently Asked Questions about Nanna (Suen / Sin)
Who was Nanna in Sumerian mythology?
Nanna, also known as Suen or Sin, was the Mesopotamian moon god and the son of Enlil and Ninlil. He was worshipped in Ur and Haran.
What symbols were associated with Nanna?
His primary symbol was the crescent moon embracing a sun emblem. His sacred number was 30, and his holy animal was the winged bull.
Where were the main temples of Nanna located?
Nanna’s main temples were in Ur (Ekišnugal, “House of the Great Light”) and in Haran (Echulchul, “House of Joy”).
What is the significance of Nanna’s journey to Nippur?
The journey symbolizes his offering of gifts to his father Enlil, reinforcing his place in the divine hierarchy and the cosmic order.
Who was Ningal, the consort of Nanna?
Ningal, also known as the Great Lady, was Nanna’s consort. She was linked to fertility, dawn, and the protection of the land.
Sources
- Kramer, Samuel Noah. History Begins at Sumer. University of Pennsylvania Press, 1981.
- Jacobsen, Thorkild. The Treasures of Darkness: A History of Mesopotamian Religion. Yale University Press, 1976.
- Black, Jeremy & Green, Anthony. Gods, Demons and Symbols of Ancient Mesopotamia. University of Texas Press, 1992.
- Hallo, William W., and Simpson, William Kelly. The Ancient Near East: A History. Harcourt Brace Jovanovich, 1971.
- George, Andrew R. The Babylonian Gilgamesh Epic. Oxford University Press, 2003.
Written by H. Moses — All rights reserved © Mythology and History
