Ningishzida 𒀭𒊩𒌆𒄑𒍣𒁕 | |
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![]() Ningishzida, with snakes emanating from his shoulders, on a relief of Gudea, c. 2000 BCE | |
Major cult center | Gishbanda, Lagash |
Symbol | Snake, mushussu |
Genealogy | |
Parents | Ninazu and Ningirida |
Siblings | Amashilama and Labarshilama |
Consort | Geshtinanna, Azimua, Ekurritum |
Ningishzida (Sumerian: 𒀭𒊩𒌆𒄑𒍣𒁕 DNIN.G̃IŠ.ZID.DA, possible meaning "Lord [of the] Good Tree") was a Mesopotamian deity of vegetation, the underworld and sometimes war. He was commonly associated with snakes. Like Dumuzi, he was believed to spend a part of the year in the land of the dead. He also shared many of his functions with his father Ninazu.
In myths he usually appears in an underworld setting, though in the myth of Adapa he is instead described as one of the doorkeepers of the sky god Anu.