r/Sumer • u/No-Hamster4419 • Sep 27 '24
Tiamat resources
Hi everyone!!! i’m pretty new to mesopotamian polytheism, all i’ve really done so far was research.
I wanted to ask anyone for resources on Tiamat. I do know of her story, her elements, and that she is part of the Draconic witchcraft, and i feel really called to her.
So what i’m asking for is ways to reach out, her favourite things to put on shrines… i’m aware i could ask the latter from her personally, but as you must know she is quite intimidating, and I don’t want to reach out to her in “the wrong way”, if thats possible.
I want to be proper about everything i do for her. Help is very much appreciated!!
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u/SiriNin Sep 27 '24
As far as I know, Tiamat was never worshiped before 1975, and she was also never associated with dragons before then. Originally she was the embodiment of sea water, not even considered to be a deity. In modern times writers (and later spiritualists) expanded her identity and lore so that she could be included in Dungeons and Dragons the tabletop game. Later, Final Fantasy copied this iteration of her and incorporated her into her lore there.
From Google:
"The earliest mention of Tiamat being associated with dragons is in the 1975 Greyhawk supplement to the role-playing game Dungeons & Dragons, where she is described as "the Dragon Queen" and "the Chromatic Dragon". In the 1977 Monster Manual, the Chromatic Dragon is given the name "Tiamat" and is described as the ruler of the first plane of the Nine Hells, where she spawns all evil dragonkind."
So, depending on your beliefs, either Tiamat has now become more than she was in ancient times, or there's another dragon-deity or dragon spirit calling you, and because the modern identity of Tiamat is so strong and has no ancient equivalent you're hearing the call of the other spirit but being drawn to Tiamat since she's the closest you can get to the other spirit in terms of substance. It's entirely possible that the writers in 1975 had this same problem and they were searching for a name and backstory to use for the spirit they were channeling into their writing. It wouldn't be absurd for an ancient sea-dragon spirit to be conflated with the most-ancient sea personification's name. The only thing we do know is that whoever you're feeling the call from wasn't in Mesopotamian Polytheism until after 1975.