In Sumerian mythology, Ninhursag (or Ki) was the earth and mother-goddess. She may have been in some traditions the offspring of Nammu were originally An (the heavens or sky,) and Ki, (the Earth). But she usually appears as the sister of Enlil.
Ninhursag means 'Lady of the Foothills'. She had many other names: Nintur 'Lady Birth', Ninmah 'Lady August', Dingirmah, Aruru, and as wife of Enki was usually called Damgalnunna.
In Akkadian she was Belit-ili 'Lady of the gods' and Mama and as wife to Ea, Enki's Akkadian counterpart, she was called Damkina. Her prestige decreased as Ishtar's increased, but her aspect as Damkina mother of Marduk, the supreme god of Babylonia, still held a secure place in the pantheon.
In union with Enki she also bore Ninsar, goddess of the pasture(?).
Ninhursag is one of the oldest members of the Sumerian pantheon and has prestigious titles such as 'mother of the gods' and 'mother of all children'.
Ninhursag ensures fertile fields, but when she cursed her husband for his incestuous affairs (with the plants she gave birth to) and his descend into the underworld, the earth became barren.
A temple of Ninhursag was excavated near Tell Harriri (the ancient Mari) in Syria, near the Iraquian border.
In Sumerian mythology, Ninhursag (NIN.URSAG or Ki (= Earth) was the Sumerian earth and mother-goddess she usually appears as the mother of Enlil (Lord air = North wind), Ninlil (Lady air = South wind), Nanna (= Moon) and Utu (= Sun).
Ninhursag means "lady of the mountain" (from Sumerian NIN "lady" and ḪURSAG (or ḪUR.SAG) "sacred mountain").
Ninhursag became the earth Goddess also called Nintu (the lady who gave birth) and Ki (Earth) and Ninmah (the exalted lady), Dingirmah, Aruru, Uriash, and as wife of Enki was usually called Damgalnunna.
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