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Ancient Goddesses in New York

An Online Guide to Discovering the Sacred Feminine in
Museums, Temples, and Public Places

Goddesses at the United Nations

 

There are currently 193 Member States of the United Nations and some of them honor goddesses! You can find goddess gifts from around the world in the hallowed halls and rooms of the UN in Manhattan. Even with tight security, you may be able to get a peek at them if you have a chance to take an educational tour or attend an event there.

 

Goddess Ishtar at the UN

UN Photo/Teddy Chen

 

Syria Presents Bas-Relief of Goddess Ishtar to United Nations

 

Caption Description: "A replica of an 1800-year-old sculptural relief depicting Ishtar, the Babylonian and Syrian goddess of love and fertility, was presented to the United Nations today by Mowaffak Allaf, Permanent Representative of Syria. The Gift was accepted by Secretary-General Kurt Waldheim at a ceremony held in the second-floor corridor, where it has been installed on the wall. The reproduction in plaster shows Ishtar, also known as Ashtarut or Astarte, with an attendant and a dove. The original bas-relief was discovered a few years ago in Palmyra and is now on display at the National Museum in Damascus. It is believed to date back to the first or second century A.D."

Goddess Nimba at the UN

UN Photo/Evan Schneider

 

Nimba Gifted to the UN from New Guinea

 

 

Caption Description: "The Republic of Guinea presented the United Nations this gift of a wood sculpture, 100 cm high, representing ""NIMBA"" goddess of fecundity and abundance for the Baga, an ethnic group in the Northeast of Guinea. The sculpture is located on the First Floor of the Delegate's Entrance to the General Assembly Building. "

Goddess Devi Sri at the UN

UN Photo/Lois Conner

 

Devi Sri, Peace and Prosperity Goddess, a Gift of Indonesia to the United Nations

 

Caption Description: "The Indonesian people, late last year, presented to the United Nations as a gift two wooden Balinese statues, one which symbolizes "Peace" and the other "Prosperity"."
"Peace" (shown here) is represented by a Balinese Pedanda (Priest) in solemn meditation, with both hands folded in ritual praying. The head dress and robe are traditional costumes for priests of the highest order. This three-foot statue was made of one piece of satinwood by an artist who prefers to be anonymous, as is the custom among many Balinese artists. "Prosperity" is portrayed by a woman carrying on her head a basket of rice paddy, surmounted by an image of Devi Sri, the Rice Goddess who is also the Goddess of Prosperity.

Sun Goddess Anyanwuat the UN

UN Photo/Michos Tzovaras

 

Sun Goddess Anyanwu Nigerian Sculpture at United Nations Headquarters 

 
Caption Description: "A bronze sculpture by the Nigerian artist Ben Enwonwu was formally presented to the United Nations on 5 October 1966. The sculpture, entitled ""Anyanwu"" (""Sun""), stands 6 feet 10 inches high. It is a statue of a, woman, clad in the regalia of Royal Benin, an ancient kingdom which is now part of Nigeria, and is symbolic of the rising sun of a new nation. It is mounted on a marble base. The work symbolizes the sun's various aspects - the light of the day, dawn, rebirth, a new day, hope, and awakening. It is located on the second floor corridor of the Conference Building between the Security Council and Trusteeship Council."

The God Surya with Two Goddesses at the UN

 
UN Photo/Lois Conner
 
Caption Description: "In 1982, Prime Minister Indira Gandhi presented this eleventh-century black stone sculpture of the sun god Suyra to the United Nations on behalf of the Government of India."
 
"This statue is an 11th-century black-stone sculpture of the Hindu Sun God, Surya, and dates from the late Pala period. Surya is widely worshipped in India and is an unbroken, ancient tradition that is more than 5,000 years old."
 
"Surya is accompanied by his two consults, Suremnyu, the goddess of dawn, and Chaiya, the goddess of shadow. The two goddesses on either side are Usha, the rising sun, and Retusha, the setting sun, who are shooting arrows to dispel darkness. Flanking Surya are his two attendants Danda and Pingale. One of them has an inkpot and pen and the other has a rod. Immediately on both sides of Surya are his consorts Chaya and Suvarchala who are waving ceremonial whisks, Chauri, which symbolize authority."

Peace Goddess at the UN

UN Photo

 

Triumph of Peace Tapestry Donated to United Nations by Belgian Government

 

Caption Description: "A tapestry designed by Mr. Peter Golfs, a Belgian artist, was offered as a gift to the United Nations by the Belgian Government. The tapestry, measuring 42 x 27.5 feet, will be hung on the wall of the delegates' entrance lobby to the General Assembly building."

Mother and Child at the UN

UN Photo/Eric Kanalstein

 

Mother and Child Presented to the UN from Italy -Outside the UN

 

Caption Description: "A statue entitled "Mother and Child" is a gift of Italy to the United Nations, presented in 1989. The statue is the work of Italian sculptor Giacomo Manzu."

 

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