The Queen of the Night Relief

The Queen of the Night Relief, also known as the Burney Relief, is a captivating artifact from ancient Mesopotamia, currently housed in the British Museum. Dating back to around 1800 BC, the relief depicts a winged goddess standing atop two lions, flanked by owls, symbolizing power and dominion over nature.

Scholars continue to debate the identity of this goddess, with some connecting her to Ishtar, the goddess of love and war, while others propose she could be Ereshkigal, the queen of the underworld. The relief’s powerful imagery reflects themes of fertility and strength, and it is believed to have been created during the reign of King Hammurabi, although this connection is uncertain. Crafted during a time of significant cultural development in Babylon, the true identity of the goddess depicted in the relief remains a captivating mystery.