Sumerian mythology and the "Me"

Introduction:

Sumerian mythology is one of the world's oldest known religions, with origins dating back to the 4th millennium BCE. The concept of "me" in Sumerian mythology refers to a set of divine powers or attributes possessed by the gods and available to human beings. According to Sumerian mythology, the human body has a system of channels called "me" through which the energy of the gods is transmitted. Each "me" was associated with a specific aspect of life and channeled through a particular part of the body. The Sumerians believed that if the channels become blocked or polluted, it could cause illness or misfortune. The concept of channels through which divine energy flows is a recurring theme in many ancient cultures, including the Hindu and Chinese systems of medicine and spirituality. This article explores the major gods in Sumerian mythology and their associated domains.

Abstract:

The article discusses Sumerian mythology, which is one of the oldest known religions, dating back to the 4th millennium BCE. In comparison, the origins of dharmic religions such as Hinduism and Buddhism are not precisely known but may have existed in the Indus Valley Civilization. The article explains that the Sumerian texts, although fragmentary and incomplete, have revealed that the human body has channels or pathways called "me" through which the energy of gods flows. The article outlines that Sumerian beliefs and practices are similar to other ancient cultures such as Hindu and Chinese systems of medicine and spirituality, where channels or pathways through which divine energy flows are referred to as "nadis" and "meridians," respectively. The article concludes by discussing some of the significant Sumerian gods and their domains or capabilities.

Sumerian mythology and the "Me":

Sumerian mythology is recognized as one of the oldest known religions, with origins dating back to the 4th millennium BCE. In contrast, the precise origins of the dharmic religions are not known, but it is believed that some of their core concepts, such as those in Hinduism and Buddhism, may have existed in the Indus Valley Civilization (3300–1300 BCE). The Vedas, which are the oldest sacred texts of Hinduism, are believed to have been composed between 1500 and 500 BCE. While the Vedic texts date back to around 1500 BCE, the earliest Sumerian texts date back to the 4th millennium BCE, predating the Dharmic religions by several thousand years.

Over time, a significant portion of the Sumerian texts have been lost, although it is difficult to determine exactly how much. Some estimates suggest that up to 90% of the original texts have been lost. The surviving texts are fragmentary and incomplete, having suffered damage or decay over time. While the process of deciphering and translating the texts is ongoing, new discoveries may reveal previously unknown portions of Sumerian literature. Currently, only about two-thirds (66%) of the discovered Sumerian texts have been translated into modern languages, with the remaining third still awaiting decipherment. However, new discoveries and advances in translation methods may lead to the translation of previously indecipherable texts in the future. Therefore, it is estimated that we have access to roughly 6.6% of the original Sumerian knowledge that has been accurately translated. However, even within this 6.6%, there may be gaps in our understanding due to incomplete translations or missing pieces of text. Consequently, our knowledge of Sumerian mythology and culture is limited and subject to change as new information is discovered or new translations are made.

According to Sumerian mythology, the human body is believed to have a system of channels called "me" (pronounced "may") through which the energy of the gods is transmitted. These channels are associated with specific functions such as wisdom, writing, music, and divination. The "me" are depicted as both physical objects, such as a stylus for writing or a lyre for music, and as existing within the body. The concept of "me" in Sumerian mythology refers to a set of divine powers or attributes possessed by the gods, which were also made available to human beings. The term "me" translates to "things that are decreed" or "laws" and is often interpreted as "divine powers" or "divine ordinances." These "me" were considered crucial to human civilization and were thought to be responsible for various aspects of human life, including agriculture, law, and the arts. Compared to the dharmic religions, Sumerian mythology predates them by several thousand years. While there may be similarities between the "me" and concepts in the dharmic religions, the origins and contexts are distinct.

In Sumerian mythology, the "me" were not only believed to be possessed by the gods but also could be bestowed upon humans as gifts. These divine gifts were thought to include knowledge of agriculture, skills of metalworking and weaving, and the ability to read and write. Each "me" was associated with a specific aspect of life and channeled through a particular part of the body. For instance, the "me" of writing was associated with the hand, while the "me" of divination was linked to the liver. Additionally, the concept of "me" is intertwined with the idea of "kispu," which denotes the ritual purification and renewal of the channels through which the "me" flows. The Sumerians believed that if the channels become blocked or polluted, it could cause illness or misfortune. Thus, the kispu rituals were aimed at purifying the body and restoring the flow of the "me" to ensure the health and prosperity of the individual and the community. Interestingly, the idea of channels or pathways through which divine energy flows is also found in other ancient cultures such as the Hindu and Chinese systems of medicine and spirituality. In the Hindu tradition, these channels are referred to as "nadis," and they are believed to be linked to the seven chakras, or energy centers, of the body. In Chinese medicine, the channels are called "meridians," and they are believed to be related to the flow of "qi" or life force energy.

The Sumerian concept of "me" refers to divine powers or attributes that were believed to be channeled through specific pathways in the body. These channels were considered essential for human civilization and were associated with many aspects of life, including agriculture, law, and the arts. The idea of channels or pathways through which divine energy flows is a recurring theme in many ancient cultures and remains a significant concept in spiritual and alternative medicine practices today.

Here are some of the major Sumerian gods and their associated domains or capabilities in Sumerian mythology. These gods are intimately connected with the "me," which are channels of energy that run through the body and are often associated with specific functions or attributes. In turn, the gods are also associated with these same functions or attributes, highlighting the interconnectedness of the divine and human realms in Sumerian beliefs.

Anu:

• God of the sky, lord of the heavens, and father of the gods.

• Associated with the "me" of kingship, sovereignty, and divine authority.

• Represented the highest and most powerful deity in the Sumerian pantheon, presiding over all other gods.

Enlil:

• God of wind, earth, and storms, and leader of the gods.

• Associated with the "me" of kingship, divine powers, and the arts of civilization.

• Considered to be the second most important god in the Sumerian pantheon after Anu, and was closely connected with the city of Nippur, where his main temple was located.

Enki (Ea):

• God of wisdom, magic, and water, and creator of humanity.

• Associated with the "me" of crafts, skills, and knowledge.

• Known for his role in the creation of humanity, and was also considered to be a patron of artisans, farmers, and fishermen.

Ninhursag (Ninmah):

• Goddess of fertility, birth, and the earth.

• Associated with the "me" of childbirth, healing, and nurturing.

• Also known as the "Mother of the Gods", and was closely associated with the city of Kish, where she had a major cult following.

Inanna (Ishtar):

• Goddess of love, fertility, war, and sex.

• Associated with the "me" of sexuality, fertility, and war.

• One of the most popular and well-known goddesses in the Sumerian pantheon, with many hymns and stories written about her exploits.

Utu (Shamash):

• God of the sun, justice, and truth.

• Associated with the "me" of justice, truth, and the sun.

• One of the most important and revered deities in Sumerian religion, and was closely linked to the city of Larsa, where he had a major temple complex.

Nanna (Sin):

• God of the moon and wisdom.

• Associated with the "me" of wisdom, writing, and the moon.

• Worshiped primarily in the city of Ur, where he was the patron deity and had a major temple complex.

Ninurta:

• God of war, hunting, and agriculture.

• Associated with the "me" of farming, hunting, and warfare.

• Known for his role as a warrior and defender of the gods, and was closely associated with the city of Nippur.

Marduk:

• God of Babylon, patron of kings, and slayer of the chaos monster Tiamat.

• Associated with the "me" of leadership, divine authority, and the arts of civilization.

• Became the most important deity in the Babylonian pantheon during the reign of Hammurabi, and was closely associated with the city of Babylon, where he had a major temple complex.

The roles and relationships of the Sumerian gods were not static and evolved over time, with different cities and regions having their own pantheons and myths. In addition, some gods had multiple domains or overlapping areas of influence. The Sumerians believed that the gods had the power to bestow or withhold the "me" from humans, which could affect their abilities in certain areas. The "me" were sometimes depicted as physical objects that the gods passed between themselves, indicating their tangible quality.

This connection between the gods and the "me" emphasizes the significance of energy centers in Sumerian mythology and the belief in the power they held for humans. Overall, the Sumerian gods and their associations with the "me" highlight the importance of energy centers in Sumerian mythology and the belief in the power they held for human beings.

Conclusion:

In conclusion, Sumerian mythology is one of the oldest known religions, with origins dating back to the 4th millennium BCE. The concept of "me" in Sumerian mythology refers to a set of divine powers or attributes possessed by the gods, which were also made available to human beings. These "me" were considered crucial to human civilization and were thought to be responsible for various aspects of human life, including agriculture, law, and the arts. While the precise origins of the dharmic religions are not known, it is believed that some of their core concepts, such as those in Hinduism and Buddhism, may have existed in the Indus Valley Civilization. The Sumerian concept of "me" refers to divine powers or attributes that were believed to be channeled through specific pathways in the body, and the idea of channels or pathways through which divine energy flows is a recurring theme in many ancient cultures and remains a significant concept in spiritual and alternative medicine practices today. Despite a significant portion of Sumerian texts being lost, ongoing deciphering and translating of the surviving texts may reveal previously unknown portions of Sumerian literature, leading to a better understanding of Sumerian mythology and culture.

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• Vanstiphout, H.L.J. (1995). "Me and Ma: aspects of the divine in Sumerian lexical texts". In van Dijk, J. and Bruins, E.M. (eds.), Kramer Anniversary Volume: Cuneiform Studies in Honor of Samuel Noah Kramer. Philadelphia: University Museum, University of Pennsylvania.

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