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Glite Dictionary
Anzu

Anzu

9.9
A storm god from ancient Mesopotamia often appears as a large black bird
  • proper noun
  • Literature
: Anzu
  • The fierce storm brought by Anzu symbolized the destructive forces of nature in ancient stories.

Examples

  • In Mesopotamian mythology, Anzu is often depicted as a massive black bird representing chaos and evil.

  • For comments on the Anzu bird, see most recently W. L. Moran, "Notes on Anzu," Archiv für Orientforschung, XXXV, 1988, 24-29.

    Academic text (1993)

  • For comments on the Anzu bird, see most recently W. L. Moran, "Notes on Anzu," Archiv für Orientforschung, XXXV, 1988, 24-29.

    Academic text (1993)

  • Legends tell that Anzu stole the Tablet of Destinies, causing great upheaval among the gods.

Synonyms

Zu
vsAnzu
  • Literature
1 9.9

A storm god and demon from ancient Mesopotamian myth who appears as a giant black bird

is associated more with chaos and disorder than with demonic identity
Zubird
vsAnzu
  • Literature
9.9

A god from old stories who appears as a large black bird that brings storms

is associated more with chaos and disorder than only moral evil

Surface Forms

Anzu main

Etymology

Anzu is the name of a storm god from ancient Mesopotamia who is often shown as a huge black bird. Think of Anzu as a 'storm bird' that brings chaos and even 'steals' the gods' power in the stories, which is why the name is linked to storms and danger.