utu

Utu is the Sumerian name for the sun god and a major deity in ancient Mesopotamian religion. In Akkadian tradition the same god is known as Shamash. Utu embodies the sun and is revered as a divine judge, patron of truth, justice, and oaths.

In myth he is the son of the moon god Nanna (Sin) and his wife Ningal, and is often described as the brother of Inanna (Ishtar). He traverses the sky in a solar chariot, bringing light and bearing witness to human actions and vows, reinforcing the idea that truth and law are visible and observable.

Cult centers for Utu/Shamash were among the major temples of Mesopotamia, notably at Sippar, with additional worship at Larsa. Rituals and hymns emphasize justice, truthfulness, and the sun’s protective witness over both rulers and the governed.

In literature and iconography, Shamash is portrayed as a sun god of justice. In the Epic of Gilgamesh he aids Gilgamesh by sending winds and providing guidance. Common symbols include the sun disk and tools associated with law, such as the rope and measuring rod; he is also depicted in a sun-chariot drawn by fiery horses.

Beyond Mesopotamia, Utu has other uses in culture and language. In the Māori language, utu means revenge or reciprocity, and the term appears in modern contexts, including the 1983 New Zealand film Utu, which addresses Maori responses to colonization. The word Utu also appears as a given name or in place names in various contexts.