Pronunciation: [kˈɪʃɑː] (IPA) 
The word "kishar" is spelled in English as k-i-s-h-a-r. Its phonetic transcription in IPA is /kɪʃɑːr/. The first syllable is pronounced with the short "i" sound, followed by the "sh" and the long "a" sound. The stress is on the second syllable, which is pronounced as "shar" with a long "a" sound again. "Kishar" is a term from Babylonian mythology, which refers to the god of the earth and the underworld.
Kishar is a term that finds its origins in ancient Mesopotamian mythology and specifically in the Babylonian creation myth, Enuma Elish. In this mythology, Kishar is portrayed as a primordial deity, representing the Earth and serving as a counterpart to Anshar, the god of the sky. Kishar is often described as the mother goddess, playing a crucial role in the creation of the universe and the establishment of order.
As the embodiment of the Earth, Kishar is associated with fertility, growth, and nurturing. In the Enuma Elish, she is believed to have given birth to the deities who further shaped the cosmos. Kishar's significance lies in her ability to bring forth life and sustain it, symbolizing the fertility and abundance found on Earth.
Beyond her association with creation and motherhood, Kishar also represents stability and balance. In ancient Mesopotamian belief systems, the Earth was seen as a foundation or support for the other celestial bodies. Similarly, Kishar symbolizes the stability and equilibrium required for a harmonious existence.
In modern times, Kishar's name and attributes are occasionally referenced in studies of ancient mythology and religion. Scholars often interpret Kishar's role as a representation of the importance and sacredness of the Earth in ancient Mesopotamian belief systems.
The word "kishar" has ancient Mesopotamian origins. It comes from the Akkadian language, which was spoken in ancient Assyria and Babylon, and was a major language in the Mesopotamian region from around the 3rd millennium BCE until the 1st millennium BCE.
In Akkadian, "kishar" (also spelled kišar) referred to the "earth" or "envelope of the earth". It denoted the region of the world between the Earth's surface and the underworld, and was often associated with the concept of the horizon. The word is derived from the Akkadian root "ki", meaning "earth" or "world", and the suffix "-šar", meaning "envelope" or "it surrounds".
