Ningishzida

Ningishzida (^dnin-g̃iš-zid-da), poss. meaning "lord of the good tree" is a Sumerian lord of vegetation. Ningishzida was a power of the Sumerian netherworld, Kur, where he held the office of throne bearer. The death of vegetation is blamed on Ningishzida traveling to Kur. He was a son of Ninazu and Ningirda, and was the husband of Ninazimua (Lady Flawlessly Grown Branch). Another consort is said to be Geshtinanna. His sister is Amashilama.

Iconography

Ningishzida was the city god of Gishbanda, near Ur in the southern orchard region. His oldest known depiction is of a tree god, for his name likely means “Lord Productive Tree.” In particular, he probably was god of the winding tree roots, since he originally was represented in serpent shape. When pictured in human form, two serpent heads grow from his shoulders in addition to the human head, and he rides on a dragon.

Some texts refer to Ningishzida as female, indicated by the prefix NIN-, meaning “Lady”.

Temple at Lagash

Lagash had a temple dedicated to Ningishzida. Gudea, patesi of Lagash in the 21st century BCE (short chronology) was one of his devotees. In the Louvre, there is a famous green steatite vase carved for King Gudea of Lagash, dedicated by its inscription: "To the god Ningiszida, his god Gudea, Ensí (governor) of Lagash, for the prolongation of his life, has dedicated this".

Influence

• Compare to the Nāga in Hinduism.

• Ningishzida appears in the Babylonian poem, Adapa and the South Wind, as one of the doorkeepers, alongside Tammuz, at the heavenly gates of Anu.

• Zecharia Sitchen uses the character Ningishzidda in his novel, The Lost Book of Enki, as a “master of genetics and other sciences; called Tehuti (Thoth) in ancient Egypt; went with followers to the Americas after he was deposed by... Marduk”.