Hutena & Hutellura: Dyad of Birth & Fate
- Sylvia Rose
- Dec 1, 2023
- 4 min read
Updated: Mar 19
In the Mesopotamian mythologies some gods, goddesses, sukkals, sacred animals or heroes appear as duos, dyads or doubles. Some are born that way, such as storm bulls Hurri and Seri, and some are paired or twinned.
Entities can also be twinned for political reasons or cultural assimilation, such as Hurrian Underworld Goddesses Ishara and Allani. Despite different origins they're often depicted together. Ishara wears red and Allani blue.
Allani is the the Supreme Goddess of the Hurrian Underworld. She's immortal, sensual and eternally youthful. Also in the Underworld, the fates of mortals are decided.
As part of her Underworld activities, Allani works with divine fate deities Hutena and Hutellura.
Major centers of worship for Hutena and Hutellura include Ugarit and Aleppo in north Syria, and Hattusa in Anatolia. Hattusa remains the Hittite capital for centuries.
Yazilikaya, a sanctuary just outside Hattusa, houses the deities. Temples in these areas are prosperous as the cities grow.
Ugarit and Aleppo are both vibrant centers of trade and progress in ancient times. Around 1200 BCE a series of invasions, internal conflict and natural disasters shake the foundations of the known world.
The Hittites go up in flames c. 1180 BCE. Many cities and civilizations are destroyed, including Ugarit. The world takes a major shift in progress.
Trade routes and cosmopolitan cities lie in ruin. While some civilizations survive the Bronze Age collapse, for many it's the end of empires.
Meanwhile, Hutena and Hutellura in their underworld gardens continue to govern the destiny of every human being. On god lists or kaluti, they are mentioned in several Near East centers or city states.
The Fate Goddess don't have distinct roles, as do for example the three Greek Fates. In ancient Greece, Clotho spins the thread of life. Lachesis measures or dispenses it, and Atropos cuts it.
Occasionally Hutellura appears by herself. Some scholars suggest the two deities are combined as one under the name Hutellera, as other goddesses of childbirth like the Kotharat are known under a collective name.
The Fate Goddesses are considered benevolent beings. Although they cause premature death, this is thought to be accomplished by evil intervention, a curse or plague, and not through their intentions.
While they interact with Allani in the Underworld, Hutellura and Hutena appear on god lists among the entourage of Hepat (Hebat), Sun Goddess of Aleppo. It's believed they're part of Hepat's circle long ago. In a mostly-lost myth they appear with the divine smith Hashamili, among the few entities to escape the dread Frost Demon Hahhima.
In Hurrian god lists they're placed behind Allani and Ishara, who are behind Hepat. God lists or offering lists can be extensive as different cultures strive to synchronize their deities. Hutellara and Hutena might appear in the pantheons of other cultures.
Hutellara and Hutena are also Goddesses of Birth, known as the Divine Midwives. They assist at the birth of Ulikummi, a stone monster conceived by Kumarbi and the daughter of the sea god (or a cliff).
Ulikummi is yet another attempt by Kumarbi to kill off his children, especially his son Teshub, the Hurrian Storm God. Kumarbi and Teshub are bitter enemies. The poetic Song of Kumarbi describes the struggles between them.
As divine midwives Hutellara and Hutena are responsible for shaping the fetus before birth. Development of Hutena and Hutellura in Hurrian religion shows influence by the Kotharāt, seven Syrian midwife goddesses in Ugarit.
According to god lists Hutellara and Hutena are also associated with the Šassūrātu (Sasuratu), assistants of the Mesopotamian birth goddess Ninhursag. Patron of pregnancy and birth, Ninhursag is a mother goddess also called Mistress of the Mountain Ranges.
She's variously known as Damgalnuna, Ninmah, Nintur and Aruru. Another Mesopotamian goddess associated with childbirth is Ashera, who's sometimes conflated with Ninhursag.
Above, Ashera nurses the Divine Twins of Ugarit. A goddess of pregnancy, birth and creation, her Greek equivalent is Rhea. Figurines or amulets bearing the image of Ashera are held or worn during childbirth.
Invoking helpful childbirth deities is a popular practice of mothers in labor through the ages. Sadly, birth complications and infections are a primary cause of female death in history. Almost every culture is replete with protective birth goddesses or other entities.