The Knot of Inanna is sacred to the Goddess. The image of this knot was the first written form of the Goddess's name. The Knot of Inanna often appears as the top of a tall pole. This symbol of the Goddess's authority was probably the original archetype of the much later crosier, which is carried by Christian bishops and abbots. The Knot of Inanna is a sacred symbol.
  
The Goddess Inanna descended into the underworld, adorned in jewels of Lapis Lazuli. She died and in three days returned alive to walk upon the Earth. The story of Her descent and return are ancient rebirth stories. Inanna's miraculous ressurection and rising from the dead is a forerunner of the Christian story of Jesus's resurrection. The Biblical story of Jesus' ressurection parallels the earlier Inanna journey. The book "Inanna Queen of Heaven and Earth" by Wolkstein & Kramer recounts this tale using translations of the story from ancient tablets.
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Inanna is the Goddess of the Morning and Evening Star.
The Semites honored Inanna as Ishtar. The Goddess presides over the birth of both night and day. Next to Inanna is the sacred star sign of brilliant Venus. The Star of Venus is a symbol of both death and rebirth. As a winged Goddess, She moved freely between the life and death.
Childbirth
Among Her many other titles, Inanna is the "Goddess of Love and Procreation". Sacred marriage rites were performed at New Year and the blessings of Inanna were sought to insure fertility and the healthy birth of children and safety of the Mother during birth. ~ Hail Inanna ~
This flame burns to honor Inanna
May She grant the blessings of fertility
to all who seek this precious gift.
Inanna is known as "First Daughter of the Moon"
Sitting upon Her Lapis Lazuli throne, She was the beloved Goddess of Sumeria.
  
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The Rosette has been a symbol associated with many Goddesses, but it is especiially sacred to Inanna, Ishtar and Astarte. Some scholars think that the Rosette is a symbol for the star of Venus. The Rosette is the "Star of the Earth" and grows up from the underworld beneath the ground. It is the Earth's star, as Venus is the star of the heavens. Many carved rosettes have survived, they vary widely in their patterns, but all are clearly representations of the rosette.
Enheduanna
The First Author in History
Below are the words of the High Priestess Enheduanna (en-hey'-du-ana),
who worshipped the Goddess Inanna, 4000 years ago. Enheduanna, is the first known author in the history of writing, she was a High Priestess who lived and wrote 4,000 years ago in the city of Ur, (now southern Iraq). The Middle-East was devoted to the Goddess.
The passage below is a new translation of Enheduanna's poetry from the recently
published book "Inanna, Lady of the Largest Heart" by Betty DeShong Meador,
(University of Texas Press, Austin). Inanna, Lady of the Largest Heart at Amazon.com
 
"Queen of all given powers/unveiled clear light
unfailing woman wearing brilliance/cherished in heaven and earth
chosen, sanctified in heaven/you/grand in your adornments
crowned with your beloved goodness/rightfully you are High Priestess
your hands seize the seven fixed powers/my queen of fundamental forces
guardian of essential cosmic sources/you lift up the elements
bind them to your hands/gather in powers/press them to your breast
vicious dragon you spew/venom poisons the land/like the storm god you howl
grain wilts on the ground/swollen flood rushing down the mountain
you are Inanna/supreme in heaven and earth..."
by Enheduanna
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