Animals (symbols), anthromorphs, & Mesopotamians
May 10, 2011 8:01:34 GMT -5
Post by lilitudemon on May 10, 2011 8:01:34 GMT -5
I think we talked extensively about owls as underworld symbols in Burney relief & in the vampire thread [lilitu] about Lilitu demons, which I have conveniently re-named myself after. I think we may have covered them briefly in relation to Ereshkigal, too. Although Ishtar/Inanna is Lady Owl.
It is explained by Jacobsen here more in depth of the importance of the cult animals of Inanna. (Owls and lions.)
There's other animals that are related to other deities. One of the most complex off the top of my head in ANE studies is pigs. It seems there is mixed opinions about pigs, their roles, and even if one should consume their flesh. As outlined in Eat not this flesh: food avoidances from prehistory to the present, pigs seem rather complex compared to other animals.
In some instances pork is praised. In others they're associated with low class people and possibly demons. (Lamashtu is seen suckling a pig, which may have to do with animals being suckled by women back in the day.) There's a point it seems one person rants about the unclean mess the pigs make in temples and then it escalates to pigs being banned from everything, and aren't sacred to any gods. However people still raise and eat them. Even with prohibitions on pork.
However, I was reading about the Syrian Astarte [Ishtar] in the Jewish Encyclopedia and it makes references to her being offered swine blood and it being her sacred animal. Outside of this I can't find a clear connection to other deities. Nor any archeology, so I have no idea how true this is or not.
I'd like to discuss many animals.( I know dogs for example seem to have protective qualities.) I'd also love to discuss the mythic animals such as dragons and anthromorphic spirits such as lilitu demons. As the anthromorphic spirits have attributes related to their animals, as well as human traits.
More to come.
It is explained by Jacobsen here more in depth of the importance of the cult animals of Inanna. (Owls and lions.)
There's other animals that are related to other deities. One of the most complex off the top of my head in ANE studies is pigs. It seems there is mixed opinions about pigs, their roles, and even if one should consume their flesh. As outlined in Eat not this flesh: food avoidances from prehistory to the present, pigs seem rather complex compared to other animals.
In some instances pork is praised. In others they're associated with low class people and possibly demons. (Lamashtu is seen suckling a pig, which may have to do with animals being suckled by women back in the day.) There's a point it seems one person rants about the unclean mess the pigs make in temples and then it escalates to pigs being banned from everything, and aren't sacred to any gods. However people still raise and eat them. Even with prohibitions on pork.
However, I was reading about the Syrian Astarte [Ishtar] in the Jewish Encyclopedia and it makes references to her being offered swine blood and it being her sacred animal. Outside of this I can't find a clear connection to other deities. Nor any archeology, so I have no idea how true this is or not.
I'd like to discuss many animals.( I know dogs for example seem to have protective qualities.) I'd also love to discuss the mythic animals such as dragons and anthromorphic spirits such as lilitu demons. As the anthromorphic spirits have attributes related to their animals, as well as human traits.
More to come.