Sirrush: The Babylonian Dragon

Sirrush , also known as Mushussu , is a dragon in Babylonian and Akkadian mythology. Sirrush is one of the three guardians who watch over the Processional Way and the Ishtar Gate north of Babylon. The other two guardians are the lion 🦁 and the bull 🐂

These animals embody multiple levels of meaning, but are associated with specific deities and all possess apotropaic qualities. They traditionally served as figures placed at the entrance to Mesopotamian temples and palaces. Consequently, the Sirrush, the Lion, and the Bull underscore the importance of the essential passage to the symbolic heart of the city.

In this article, we'll be focusing on the Sirrush. As the only mythological creature among the three, we don't know if it actually existed. But before we delve into that, why not acquire a lucky charm yourself? Discover our wonderful Dragon Necklaces by clicking on the image below. They radiate a fantastic and benevolent aura.

The Origin of Sirrush

The beast comes from Babylon , where it is visible, among other places, at the famous Ishtar Gate. It is often called Sirrush , but it turns out that the etymology of the word derives from a mistranslation of Sumerian , and the correct word is Mushussu . Indeed, although it is correctly transliterated as mûš-ruššû , early scholars mistakenly read it as sîr-ruššû . This interpretation is the most common today.

Sirrush is an ancient creature originating in ancient Mesopotamia . Among the most famous structures that Nebuchadnezzar II (605-562 BC) erected in Babylon were the Ishtar Gate and the walls lining the Processional Way. These were decorated with images of three highly significant animals: the lion, the bull, and the mythological dragon Sirrush.

Physical Description of Sirrush

Sirrush is a monstrous creature with the head and body of a serpent . Its forelegs are those of a feline , while its hind legs resemble the talons of an eagle . Some Sirrushes have hairy bodies, but most are covered in scales . Its tail ends in a venomous stinger. It also possesses a long neck and tail, a horned head, a serpent's tongue, and a crest.

The most popular depiction of Sirrush is undoubtedly the one found at the Gates of Ishtar (Pergamon Museum, Berlin). But there are many other representations, each with several variations. On the Gates of Ishtar, Sirrush stands majestically, imposing and unyielding. Proud, the creature has its head and tail raised. Sirrush is considered to be a type of dragon . 🐲

The Legend of Sirrush

Sirrush was a Mesopotamian mythological creature that served as a protective guide . It was also a sacred animal associated with Marduk , the principal deity of Babylon. The beast was one of the eleven monsters fashioned by Tiamat to fight the deities and avenge the death of Apsu. In Sumerian, Sirrush means "red serpent" or "angry serpent."

Sirrush was said to repel enemies by attacking and expelling them with his deadly poison . No one escaped the creature, whose purpose was to prevent any ill-intentioned being from entering the city of Babylon. Some ritual texts endorse this apotropaic role . Nebuchadnezzar II paid homage to the Babylonian deities through animal representations.

• The Sirrush symbolizes Marduk , the greatest poliade God of Babylon. 🔱
• The lion symbolizes Ishtar , the goddess of love ❤ and war. ⚔
• The bull symbolizes Adad , the god of storms. 🌩️

The sculpted reliefs of lions, bulls, and dragons representing powerful deities sent a strong message to all who passed through the great gate: that Babylon was protected and defended by the gods , and that it would be wise not to oppose them.

Finally, the Sirrush Dragon is a symbolic representation of Marduk, the supreme god of Babylon. The original figure of Marduk is obscure, but he later became associated with water, vegetation, judgment, and magic. According to ancient mythology, Marduk defeated Tiamat, a monster of chaos and a primordial ocean goddess who mated with Abzu (the god of fresh water) to produce younger gods.

Stories and Beliefs about Sirrush

Sirrush was a servant of the gods . This creature was believed to have lived in the palaces of Babylon until it met its end at the hands of the biblical prophet Daniel . The story goes that the Babylonian priests took Daniel to the temple of Bel (the god of Nebuchadnezzar) and showed him a great dragon, which many believe to be the Mushussu. Upon seeing the creature, they challenged him to confront his invisible god (Yahweh) with their living god. It was when Daniel poisoned Sirrush that it finally met its end.

The presence of the dragon-serpent has been the subject of much debate among researchers who have pointed out that this mythical animal was out of place next to sculptures representing known animals (lions and bulls) which were from the same period as the Babylonians .

Robert Koldewey (a German archaeologist), who discovered the Ishtar Gate, seriously considered the idea that the Sirrush was a representation of a real animal . He argued that its depiction in Babylonian art remained constant for many centuries, whereas that of mythological creatures changed, sometimes radically, over time. In 1918, he proposed that the Iguanodon (a dinosaur with bird-like hind legs) was the closest representation of the Sirrush. 🐉

Harness the Power of a Dragon

Sirrush, the Dragon of Babylon, holds no more secrets for you. We have just traced the history and origins of one of the famous guardians of Ancient Mesopotamia. You now know that it is a protective guide that repels evil spirits at the gate of Ishtar.

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