Located near the Turkish- Syrian border in the middle of an arid plain, Haran is one of the oldest Mesopotamian settlements.
The settlement of Haran is mentioned in a treaty which was enacted in the Temple of Sin (Sin was the Mesopotamian Moon God) at Haran in the reign of Hammurabi (1728-1686 BC). Several Assyrian kings describe rebuilding this temple. The last king of Babylon, Nabonidus (556-539 BC) also rebuilt the Temple of Sin. Excavations have revealed a large mud-brick building which dates to the end of the 3rd millennium BC. It is thought this might be the predecessor to the temple of the Sumerian and Mesopotamian Moon-God Sin.
Archaeologists have uncovered temples to the Moon-god Sin throughout the Middle East. The worship of the Moon God was the dominant religion of the Sumerians, Mesopotamians, the Babylonians, Assyrians and the Akkadians.
The insignia of the Moon God Sin bears a remarkable likeness to that of the Vedic God Shiva. In fact, Shiva is also known as Som-nath (सोमनाथ) which means 'Lord of the Moon'. Shiva's insignia includes the crescent moon and the bull called 'Vrishabha' or 'Nandi' who was the vehicle of Lord Shiva.
The earliest known form of the name 'Sin' is 'Suen' which may well be a distortion of the Sanskrit 'Shivam' - the name of the Vedic Moon God. What is even more interesting is that 'Haran' (हरन), is another name for Lord Shiva.
Ancient Haran, located north of Euphrates River. |
The settlement of Haran is mentioned in a treaty which was enacted in the Temple of Sin (Sin was the Mesopotamian Moon God) at Haran in the reign of Hammurabi (1728-1686 BC). Several Assyrian kings describe rebuilding this temple. The last king of Babylon, Nabonidus (556-539 BC) also rebuilt the Temple of Sin. Excavations have revealed a large mud-brick building which dates to the end of the 3rd millennium BC. It is thought this might be the predecessor to the temple of the Sumerian and Mesopotamian Moon-God Sin.
Haran, the site of Temple of the Moon God named 'Sin' |
On the left is Stele of Babylonian King Nabonidus who rebuilt the Temple of Sin during 556-539 BC, Centre: Star and Crescent of Haran coin, Right: Sign of Moon God 'Sin' |
Archaeologists have uncovered temples to the Moon-god Sin throughout the Middle East. The worship of the Moon God was the dominant religion of the Sumerians, Mesopotamians, the Babylonians, Assyrians and the Akkadians.
The insignia of the Moon God Sin bears a remarkable likeness to that of the Vedic God Shiva. In fact, Shiva is also known as Som-nath (सोमनाथ) which means 'Lord of the Moon'. Shiva's insignia includes the crescent moon and the bull called 'Vrishabha' or 'Nandi' who was the vehicle of Lord Shiva.
The earliest known form of the name 'Sin' is 'Suen' which may well be a distortion of the Sanskrit 'Shivam' - the name of the Vedic Moon God. What is even more interesting is that 'Haran' (हरन), is another name for Lord Shiva.
Lord Shiva with crescent moon in his matted hair top-knot |
Lord Shiva with Vrishabha or Nandi the bull who is his vehicle. |
Lord Shiva also known as 'Haran'
is the Vedic Moon God in
semi-Padmasana posture.
|
Insignia of the Moon God 'Sin' of Haran. Notice the crossed-legged posture akin to yogic semi-Padmasana of Shiva, the crescent moon and the bulls which were the vehicles of the moon-god 'Sin'. |
Suggested Readings:
1. Allah - The Moon God
1. Allah - The Moon God