Rod-and-ring symbol

The rod-and-ring symbol is a symbol that is depicted on Mesopotamian stelas, cylinder seals, and reliefs. It is held by a god or goddess and in most cases is being offered to a king who is standing, often making a sacrifice, or otherwise showing respect. The symbol dates from the Third Dynasty of Ur to the Neo-Assyrian period, and is commonly explained as a coil of measuring string and a yardstick.[1] Other theories are that they are a shepherd's crook and a nose rope,[2] or that the ring is no rope at all.[3]

The goddess of the Burney relief presenting a rod-and-ring symbol in each hand.
Mesopotamian deity sitting on a stool, holding the rod-and-ring symbol. Old-Babylonian fired clay plaque from Southern Mesopotamia, Iraq

The best known example of the symbol is seen on the Code of Hammurabi stela. The symbol is also illustrated in the "Investiture Scene" painted at the palace of Mari.[4] The most elaborate depiction is found on the Ur-Nammu-stela, where the winding of the cords has been detailed by the sculptor. This has also been described as a "staff and a chaplet of beads".[5] There is discussion whether the Ur-Nammu-stela is showing the same thing.

Scepter, throne, and ring: Enuma Elish

The myth of Inanna's descent to the nether world describes how the goddess dresses and prepares herself: "She held the lapis-lazuli measuring rod and measuring line in her hand."[6]

In tablet IV of the Enuma Elish, the rod and ring symbol is referenced as:

"They rejoiced, and they did homage unto him, saying, "Marduk is King!"
They bestowed upon him the scepter, and the throne, and the ring.
They gave him an invincible weaponry which overwhelmeth the foe."[7]

Symbols that appear similar
  • The Egyptian shen ring has a close resemblance.
  • The Greek goddess Nike uses a different type of investiture symbol for the victor in the sporting races, a wreath of laurel, or a wreath of olive branches, but she is depicted with a ring, a rigid circle.
  • The Faravahar, the symbol of Zoroastrianism, also holds a ring.
  • The Egyptian Ankh has a vaguely similar form and is also depicted in hands of gods.[8]
  • At the 6th century B.C.E. archaeological site of Cancho Roano, located near Zalamea de la Serena, Badajoz, Spain, a large feature in the shape of the rod and ring symbol was modeled into the floor of the innermost chamber of a Tartessian temple.
  • This symbol also bears a resemblance to an ancient rune called a Thurisaz or thorn, which means "frost giant" or "giant".

Notes
  1. Jacobsen, 1987
  2. Hallo, W.W. 2005. Sumerian history in pictures: a new look at the 'Stele of the Flying Angels', in: Y. Sefati et al (eds), 'An Experienced Scribe who Neglects Nothing': Ancient Near Eastern Studies in Honor of Jacob Klein. Bethesda, MD: CDL Press, 142-62.
  3. Van Buren, E.D. 1949. The rod and ring. ArO 17 (2), 434-50.
  4. Knott, Elizabeth (2021-09-21), "Mari's Investiture Scene and the Visualization of Kingship in the Old Babylonian Period", As Above, So Below, Penn State University Press, pp. 74–114, doi:10.5325/j.ctv1xx9msm.7, ISBN 9781646021536, S2CID 240527251, retrieved 2022-12-17
  5. Jeremy Black, Anthony Green, Gods, Demons and Symbols of Ancient Mesopotamia, Rod and Ring, p 156.
  6. cf. Inana's descent to the nether world line 25. The Sumerian has: gi-diš-nindan eš2-gana2 za-gin3 šu ba-ni-in-du8 i.e. taken literally the rod would have the length of one nindan (6 cubit = 5.94m) and the eš2-gana2 the surveyor's line - would be ten nindan in length.
  7. Enuma Elish, tablet IV
  8. Hill, Jane A. (2010). "Window between Worlds: The Ankh as a Dominant Theme in Five Middle Kingdom Funerary Monuments". In Hawass, Zahi; Wegner, Jennifer Houser (eds.). Millions of Jubilees: Studies in Honor of David P. Silverman. American University in Cairo Press. pp. 227–247. ISBN 978-977-704-084-6.

References
  • Black, Jeremy; Green, Anthony. Gods, Demons and Symbols of Ancient Mesopotamia, an Illustrated Dictionary, by Jeremy Black and Anthony Green, c 1992, (3rd printing 1997), University of Texas Press, Austin, p 156 (softcover, ISBN 0-292-70794-0)
  • Jacobsen, Thorkild (1987) "Pictures and pictorial language (the Burney Relief)". In: M. Mindlin, M.J. Geller and J.E. Wansbrough, eds., Figurative Language in the Ancient Near East, 1-11. (1987) London: University of London School of Oriental and African Studies. ISBN 0-7286-0141-9
  • Arthur E. Whatham, The Meaning of the Ring and Rod in Babylonian-Assyrian Sculpture, The Biblical World, Vol. 26, No. 2 (Aug., 1905), pp. 120–123.
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