The Ishtar Gate is so named, because it was dedicated to the Babylonian goddess Ishtar. This Babylonian goddess of fertility, love, war, and sex was very powerful and popular deity in Babylon. Ishtar was known in Babylonian Myths as the amorous Queen of Heaven--the stunning goddess who died young and was mourned and grieved until she came to life again.
Lion was the animal dedicated to Ishtar – she is known to be the goddess of war and the guardian of her people. Ishtar was depicted with her armor, riding a chariot that was drawn by lions or sometimes riding on the back of the lion – she is always shown with her animal. Lions were depicted on the Babylon city walls and Processional Way. Those lions are perfect anatomical illustration of the animal that we still know today. This animal is illustrated walking firmly, with tail high, and a mouth open in roar. Artists depicted great proportions, coloring, and …show more content…
It was a part of the wall to the city of Babylon, a gigantic fortress that was intended to protect the city. On each side of Ishtar Gate there is protruding tower that is entirely covered with dark blue glazed bricks. Building relief decorations depicting the holy animals in the colors yellow, white, red that are standing in five rows, alternating so the viewer see the bulls - symbols Adada, dragons - attributed to the god Marduk, and majestic lions – animal associated with goddess Ishtar, finally at the top and bottom there are rows of yellow and white flowers that resemble