Anzu

Deities

Tradition · Sumerian Mesopotamian
Alternate Names
AnzuImdugudThe Lion-Headed EagleThe Storm Bird
Gender Expression
Masculine
Titles
The Lion-Headed EagleThief of the Tablet of DestiniesThe Storm Bird
Domain
The storm windTheftThe tablet of destiniesThe mountainMonstrosityThunder
Planetary Correspondence
Jupiter
Secondary Planets
UranusMars
Elemental Correspondence
Air
Zodiac Affinity
AquariusSagittarius
Correspondences
Colors
BlackGreyGoldBrown
Scents
CedarFrankincenseSulphur
Metals
BronzeIronGold
Animals
EagleLionSerpent
Sacred Timing
Sabbats
Hours
Storm timesWind times
Offerings
No cultic offering is attestedIncense at the mountain passA figurine turned away
Invocation Approach
Tone
The wind that takes
Address
AnzuImdugud
Relationship
The monster the hero must answer
Warning
He is a monster of the epics not a god with a cult
Resonance
Those facing what was taken
Symbols
Lion headEagle wingsThe tabletStorm cloudThe mountain
Mythology Summary

Anzu, Sumerian Imdugud, is the lion-headed eagle of Mesopotamian epic, the monstrous bird whose wings make the storm. In the Akkadian Anzu epic he steals the Tablet of Destinies from Enlil while the god is bathing, and the gods send Ninurta to bring it back; the Sumerian tale Lugalbanda and the Anzud Bird tells instead of Lugalbanda caring for the chick and being granted speed in return. He is a monster of narrative, not a deity with a cult.

Modern Practice

Anzu is worked as the thing that takes what was not its to take, and as the wind that has to be answered by somebody. Since there is no cult, the entry describes a figure rather than a devotion, and the offerings field says so.

Related Deities
EnkiMardukNergalTiamat

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