Tammuz, whose name means "loyal son," is the Sumerian god of plants, food, shepherds and vegetation and consort of the fertility goddess Inanna, or Ishtar. He is also known as a god of irrigation, and he is constantly dying and being reborn.
In myth, Inanna invaded the underworld to take it over from her sister, and was turned into a corpse as punishment. Tammuz and his sister, Geshtinana, agreed to both stay dead each for six months of the year to take Inanna's place in the underworld.
"Origin: Spain. A monstrous scorpion of Spain. He is also the Babylonian god of plants. He is Ishtar's brother and husband, whose name means 'Loyal son.' He is also known as a god of irrigation, and he is constantly dying and being reborn."
