☁️ An (Anu)

Attributes & Domains

Mythology & Stories

An's mythology emphasizes his role as cosmic authority figure rather than active participant. He represents the unchanging, eternal power of heaven itself—stable, distant, but ultimately sovereign over all.

Key Myths:

• Separation of Heaven and Earth: In the beginning, An (heaven) and Ki (earth) were united as one cosmic mountain. Their son Enlil separated them, creating the space between where life could exist. An withdrew to the highest heaven, while Ki remained below. This act established the cosmic order.
• The Me and Divine Authority: An possesses the ultimate authority over the Me—the divine decrees that govern all aspects of existence. When Inanna tricked Enki into giving her the Me, An acknowledged her right to keep them, demonstrating his role as final arbiter of divine power.
• Delegation to Enlil: An granted Enlil the Tablet of Destinies and made him executive king of the gods. This myth explains why Enlil, not An, actively rules. An maintains supreme authority but allows his son to manage creation. When the gods need final authority, they petition An.

📜 Primary Sources - Cuneiform Texts

An appears in ancient Sumerian cuneiform texts. Search the ORACC corpus to explore original texts in transliteration and translation.

Major texts include: "Enuma Elish" (as Anu), hymns to An from Uruk, royal inscriptions

Relationships

Family

• Parents: Nammu (primordial mother) or self-created from cosmic waters
• Consort(s): Ki (Earth), Antu/Antum (heaven queen), Uras (earth goddess)
• Children: Enlil (lord wind), Enki (lord wisdom), Nanna (moon), Inanna (some traditions), the Anunnaki
• Siblings: Ki (earth) - in some traditions also his sister/wife

Allies & Enemies

• Allies: All the Anunnaki serve under his authority; Enlil (his executive); Seven gods who determine fate
• Enemies: Demons of chaos and disorder (though he rarely confronts them directly)

Worship & Rituals

Sacred Sites

An's primary cult center was Uruk, one of the world's first cities. The great temple complex E-anna ("House of Heaven") was dedicated to An and Inanna. The White Temple atop the ziggurat was An's earthly residence. Uruk was considered the "beloved city of An."

Festivals

• Akitu (New Year Festival): An's authority was invoked at the beginning of the year to renew cosmic order. The king received his mandate from An during this festival. Lasted 12 days with processions, sacrifices, and ritual dramas.
• Enthronement Rituals: New kings were crowned in An's name, receiving divine authority to rule. The horned crown, symbol of divinity, represented An's delegated power to the mortal king.

Offerings

Offerings to An included white bulls (his sacred animal), silver vessels, incense (cedar and myrrh), finest grains and breads, date wine, and precious metals. As the highest god, he received the first portion of all temple offerings before they were distributed to other deities.

Prayers & Invocations

An was invoked as ultimate authority in legal oaths and treaties. Kings swore by An to legitimize their rule. Prayers emphasized his supreme power: "An, whose word cannot be changed, whose command is unalterable, who holds the bond of heaven and earth." Priests called on An to ratify decisions made by lower gods.