Ishtar

[ ish-tahr ]

noun

1. the Assyrian and Babylonian goddess of love and war, identified with the Phoenician Astarte, the Semitic Ashtoreth, and the Sumerian Inanna.

Ishtar

/ ˈɪʃtɑː /

noun

1. the principal goddess of the Babylonians and Assyrians; divinity of love, fertility, and war

Word History and Origins

Origin of Ishtar¹

First recorded in 1800–10; from East Semitic (Akkadian), corresponding to West Semitic (Phoenician) Astarte; Ashtoreth ( def ), Astarte ( def ), Aphrodite ( def )

Example Sentences

The name Easter may, or may not, be derived from the Sumerian goddess Inanna, or Ishtar—the source of the Hebrew name Esther.

From The Daily Beast

Belle Jar has more: Ishtar was the goddess of love, war and sex.

From The Daily Beast

Anyway, the point I am trying to make here is that, yes, Ishtar was associated with fertility and sex.

From The Daily Beast

It was lined from end to end with sculptured bulls and griffins, and the great gate of Ishtar spans it midway in its length.

From Project Gutenberg

During the winter Tammuz dwelt in Hades, and at the beginning of spring Ishtar descended to search for him among the shades.

From Project Gutenberg

As Ishtar enters through the various gates she is stripped of her ornaments and clothing.

From Project Gutenberg

Ishtar asks at each gate why she is thus dealt with, and the porter answers, "Such is the command of Allatu."

From Project Gutenberg

Ishtar, the wife of Arbaces, possessed her share of the unearthly influence hereditary in her race.

From Project Gutenberg