رمزية السمك في الفكر العراقي القديم

Abstract EN

Mesopotamia characterized by great water fortune represented by the great rivers Tigris and Euphrates, and their tributaries, canals, marshes, and lakes, the difference of water source led to creatures' variety which living there, so the fortune of the fish was different.

The exploitation of this resource is very important for the economics of the city-state and country.

This fortune was with its importance and variety of its types one of the best food resources in the middle and south of ancient Iraq especially the worker and poor of the society, this importance was effecting on the religious thought for a person by offering fish to many Gods and Goddess believing that God was responsible for growing and care the fish.

Furthermore, small statues from fish have used for ritual works dealing with magic, also it has used for omens.

As well as it was entering in many legendary figures which were had religious-magician importance, also it entered in literature thought for the person by a lot of beautiful metaphors, this made the Mesopotamian artist proceed many artworks that were related to fish on cylinder seals, carvings, walls painting, pottery and many other works of art.