Inanna, the Queen of Heaven, set her mind toward the 'Great Below' to attend the funeral of her brother-in-law. Knowing the dangers of her sister Ereshkigal’s realm, she instructed her faithful servant Ninshubur to seek help from the gods if she did not return. At each of the seven gates of the Underworld, the gatekeeper Neti forced Inanna to remove one of her seven divine powers, including her crown, lapis beads, and royal robe. By the time she reached the throne room, she stood naked and powerless. Ereshkigal, the Queen of Death, fixed the eye of death upon her, turning Inanna into a corpse hung on a hook. After three days, Ninshubur appealed to the god Enki, who created two beings to revive Inanna with the water of life. Inanna rose, but the law demanded a soul in her place. Returning to earth, she found her husband Dumuzid celebrating instead of mourning. Enraged, she decreed he take her place in the shadows, eventually allowing him to split the year with his sister.
True power is stripped away in the face of death, and one must undergo a complete loss of ego to achieve rebirth. It also teaches that loyalty is tested in our absence.
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Questions about this story
What is the moral of Inanna's Descent to the Underworld?
The story illustrates that death is a great equalizer that even gods cannot escape. It serves as a metaphor for the shedding of the ego and the cyclical nature of life and rebirth.
Why did Inanna go to the Underworld?
Inanna sought to witness the funeral rites of Gugalanna, the Bull of Heaven, though some interpretations suggest she wished to extend her power into her sister Ereshkigal's domain. She entered the 'Great Below' knowing it was a journey from which few returned.
What are the seven gates in the myth?
The seven gates represent the systematic stripping of Inanna's worldly power and identity. At each gate, she is forced to relinquish a piece of her royal attire until she is completely vulnerable and humble before the Queen of Death.
Who rescued Inanna from the Underworld?
When the other gods refused to help, Enki, the god of wisdom, created two genderless beings called the Kurgarra and Galatur. They were able to enter the Underworld unnoticed and revive Inanna using the food and water of life he provided.
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