#mushussu

[scarewulf]

Dragon

[nexter3nd]

The Season Siblings ™️

Originally just drew Dumuzi for the spring, but I thought he shouldn’t be lonely so Geshtinanna and her mushussu get to join him.

[duel-styx]

Mushussu

11x14" Acrylics

Fantasy art commission of a storm dragon with a mesocyclone in the background.

From 2014.

[jurakan]

Happy Friday!! Can I get a fun fact?

You can indeed, friendo! Today You Learned about the mushussss....mushush...mus...

[looks at notes]

Yeah, that!

If you've ever looked at ancient Babylonian art, you've probably seen one of these, if only because they're on the famous Ishtar Gate of Babylon:

So the mushussu is an ancient Mesopotamian dragon! I was taught the term 'sirrush' in high school, from Shukar's Natural History of Dragons, but Wikipedia says that term's not actually right? I dunno. Either way, it's a cool, big dragon you see in Mesopotamian art.

The mushussu was the sacred animal that symbolized Marduk, the chief of the Babylonian gods, along with his son Nabu (who DC Comics fans will recognize as the spirit of a Lord of Order inside the Helmet of Fate--the animated series Young Justice makes it so that the Lord of Order in question is also the Babylonian god). Marduk is sometimes depicted as a dragon slayer, so it seems like having dragons as his symbol was a way to get that point across quickly, and also a way to show how awesome he was--he could beat dragons, but also have them as pets, I guess?

If there are any more specific myths about this dragon, they either haven't survived, or I haven't found them yet. Still, they're a nice heraldic symbol, don't you think? So! Cool Mesopotamian dragon! Thought that was a cool little Fun Fact. Hope you like it too!

[zonedelicious]

Marduk and Mushussu for Akitu

[draconesmundi]

Happy Dracones Monday! Mushussu!

Today's dragon is the Mushussu from ancient Mesopotamia, strongly associated with the hero Marduk. Modern interpretations of the Mushussu label it as a dragon (as it is a reptilian creature and 'dragon' is a catchall term) but very little is known or written about these guys in mythology. There are a few decorating the Ishtar Gates of Babylon alongside lions and aurochs, and a little mushussu is often found sitting obediently at the feet of Marduk like some sort of dog.

From this information, I've designed the Mushussu for Dracones Mundi to be a formerly domesticated species, but they have since become feral. Like city pigeons, but less urbanised. A deeply mysterious dragon!

[howsublime]

Sending my smaller Risograph Mušḫuššu dragon to a penpal in Taiwan. I do not throw away minor misprints but repurpose them as mail art. Slightly bigger version is available as an art print.

[saucylobster]

These guys are going to take a while but after worrying about starting them in earnest, they took shape really well so I wanted to post a picture. My legends from tresto are all based off of Babylonian myth and include lamassu, mushussu and pazuzu with the trio leader being Marduk.