Ningishzida was the son of Ninazu and his wife Ningiridda. He is associated with vegetation and the underworld. Ningishzida, who has a role in agriculture, is sent to the underworld after the vegetation dies. Both Sumerian and Akkadian mythology contain descriptions of this voyage. The narrative of Ningiridda and her son is one of the few references to breastfeeding deities in Mesopotamian literature. He has two sisters: Labarshilama and Amashilama.
