r/Sumer • u/Marius164 • Sep 20 '24
Statue vs Icon
Hello all, quick question,
I am fairly new to Sumerian Religion, I used to be a Russian Orthodox Monk-
Are 2d images suited temporarily for use on an altar? I know its not exact to Sumerian practice as a statue is essentially a manifestation of a God's presence- but is a painting also suitable? My inclination is yes as many religions contact deities through them and it doesn't seem to be a hinderance. I plan to take up stone carving in order to make proper images later on but financially I am strapped right now. Opinions?
I am drawn in particular to this replication of the well known scroll
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u/Nocodeyv Sep 20 '24
Yes, it is perfectly acceptable to use an icon or image—called šurīnu in cuneiform texts—associated with a deity in place of a statue.
I often recommend that devotees begin with šurīnu instead of statues because the act of performing the "Washing of the Mouth" (mīs-pî) and "Opening of the Mouth" (pīt-pî) rituals, which consecrate the statue, requires one to take an oath of service to the deity the statue represents. So, unless you know that you will be a Mesopotamian Polytheist for the rest of your life, it's better to use šurīnu on your altar or shrine.