The word "uttu" is spelled with four letters, using the IPA phonetic transcription, it is represented as /utu/. The first sound, /u/, is a high back rounded vowel. The second sound, /t/, is an unvoiced alveolar stop. The third sound, /u/, is again a high back rounded vowel. Uttu is a Babylonian goddess of plants and fertility, who was believed to have been created by the god Anu. She is often depicted holding a small plant or a bunch of grapes.
Uttu is a noun derived from the Sumerian language, an ancient language spoken in Mesopotamia (modern-day Iraq and Kuwait) during the third millennium BC. In Sumerian mythology, Uttu is often referred to as the goddess of weaving and clothing.
According to the Sumerian texts, Uttu possesses both creative and nurturing aspects. She is commonly associated with the production of textiles and garments, and is believed to have spun the fabric of life itself. Uttu is often depicted using a spindle to spin thread or cloth, symbolizing her role in the creation of clothing and providing sustenance to humanity through the production of food and clothing.
As the goddess of weaving, Uttu holds a significant place in Sumerian cosmology, representing the delicate balance between life and death, chaos and order. She is regarded as a protector of life and an advocate for societal stability, as clothing and textile production were vital aspects of civilization in ancient Mesopotamia. Uttu's association with weaving also extends metaphorically to concepts such as fate and destiny, as thread and cloth were commonly used symbolic motifs to represent the interconnectedness of existence.
Uttu's divinity and importance in Sumerian culture are reflected in the numerous hymns and prayers dedicated to her, as well as the cultic rituals performed to honor her. She is revered as one of the fundamental deities in the Sumerian pantheon, embodying the artistry and vital sustenance provided by the weaving of cloth.