The Winged Goddess of Mesopotamia: A 4,000-Year-Old Enigma

The Queen of the Night Relief (or Burney Relief), dating to around 1800–1750 BCE, is an iconic Mesopotamian artifact housed in the British Museum. It features a winged goddess standing on two lions, flanked by owls, symbols of power, and mystery. The imagery suggests a divine figure linked to fertility and strength.

While scholars have connected her to deities like Ishtar and Ereshkigal, her true idenтιтy remains uncertain, with some proposing a syncretic or lesser-known deity.

Created during the Old Babylonian period, the relief reflects Babylon’s cultural richness, though its exact purpose—whether religious or votive—remains a compelling enigma.