The goddess Ishtar holds many different meanings depending upon the specific culture in which she is being worshipped. However, most Arabian cultures considered her the goddess of fertility and love. In some other places she was also the goddess of war.
Ishtar was, above all else, associated with sexual gratification of a form that was most often tied to prostitution. She was known to have had many lovers; most of which she charged in some way; asking for a favor, garnering a piece of property, or even demanding jewels and gold.
While many of Ishtar’s lovers were other gods and heroes, it was a mortal who eventually won the goddess’s heart and tamed her wild spirit. Tammuz, the great farmer, was considered one of the fairest of all men.
Unfortunately, Tammuz did not return Ishtar’s affections. This, of course, angered the great goddess who was used to getting whatever she wanted exactly when and how she wanted it.
Try as she might, however, Ishtar could not win the mortal’s heart. He wanted nothing to do with a woman who prostituted herself so easily.
Furious, that he dared to spurn her, Ishtar condemned her would-be lover to the underworld. But she regretted her curse almost immediately and decided to follow Tammuz to the underworld to release him. Unfortunately, to do that, she had to pass through the seven gates of hell.
However, such passage was not easy. Each gate had a gatekeeper that she had to convince to grant her passage both into and out of the underworld once she had found her beloved.
Some of the gatekeepers knew of her reputation and, of course, wanted her favors in trade for passage out of the underworld. Once she agree, they also demanded payment to let her in.
At first, Ishtar removed her jewels as payment for passage into the underworld, but she ran out of them very quickly. So she then began removing her clothing, which was made out of spun gold and rare silk.
By the time, the goddess reached the inner sanctum, she was naked and had nothing left with which to defend herself against the demons of hell. Still she begged for the release of her would-be lover.
The demons therein eventually agreed but demanded her life be forfeit in return. Ishtar acquiesced without pause.
Touched that the goddess was willing to die for him, Tammuz demanded that her life not be taken; offering to remain in her place. For he knew that without her presence, the earth and all on it could no longer grow and multiply.
The gods of the underworld were touched that Ishtar and Tammuz were each willing to give their life for one another. After much thought and discussion, they struck a deal. For one half of the year, Tammuz would be allowed to go back to the world of the living. During that time, Ishtar would remain below.
Of course, during that six-month period, the earth would remain barren and cold without the fertility goddess’s presence. For the other six-month period, Ishtar would be allowed to go back up to the living as Tammuz served time below.
Unfortunately, the two would never again be allowed to be together. One would always be in the underworld while the other one was in the land of the living.
Whenever, Ishtar went back up to the earth, she stopped at each gate to recover a piece of lost clothing or jewelry. Each time she went back down below, she once again relinquished the same.
That is why for six months of the year, the earth is dressed in beauty and glory, just as Ishtar is dressed in all her refinement. For the other six months, the earth remains empty and barren, just as Ishtar returns below naked and defenseless.
This relinquishment of seven pieces of clothing or jewels was ultimately celebrated in many Arabian countries through the dance of the seven veils.
