Chapter 1
The Greek descent of Persephone
Chapter 2
The Mayan serpent of El Castillo
Chapter 3
The Chinese moon goddess Chang'e
Chapter 4
Sumerian descent and Slavic Morana
YOUR GOAL
Master of Mythology of the autumn equinox
Ch 4 · Sumerian descent and Slavic Morana
loroftherings11 Sumerian Descent and Slavic Morana
The clay of Uruk turns to shadow now, and the cold of Nawia claims the harvest soil.
loroftherings11 Slavic communities burn and drown straw effigies to banish winter's chill.
loroftherings11 A shepherd god takes Inanna's place in the underworld for half the year.
BETA
loroftherings11 Play an educational game exploring the mythic origin of the autumn equinox through Slavic Morana and Sumerian descent myths.
Fun Fact
Slavic straw effigies: In Slavic tradition, a straw doll representing the winter goddess Morana is drowned to welcome the spring.
Glossary
underworld (noun)
The mythical realm of the dead, traditionally believed to exist beneath the earth's surface. Sumerian goddess Inanna and Slavic deity Morana both journey to this dark realm to mark seasonal transitions.
The mythical realm of the dead, traditionally believed to exist beneath the earth's surface. Sumerian goddess Inanna and Slavic deity Morana both journey to this dark realm to mark seasonal transitions.
Quiz
In Slavic mythology, who is the god of spring and fertility who battles the winter goddess Morana?
Quiz
What traditional action is performed on the straw effigy of Morana to welcome spring in Slavic culture?
Quiz
What must Inanna remove at each of the seven gates of the Sumerian underworld?
Quiz
Which Slavic goddess of winter and death is represented by a straw effigy during seasonal rituals?
Quiz
Who was the shepherd husband of Inanna who agreed to spend half the year in the underworld?
Quiz
What English word, meaning equal night, refers to the autumn transition of the sun crossing the celestial equator?
Quiz
Which Sumerian queen of heaven famously descended into the underworld, causing the earth to wither?