The _kiskanû_ was of three kinds, white (_pisu_), black (_salmi_), as in the description of the tree of Paradise, and grey or blue (_sâmi_). In view of there being these three colours, it would seem that they refer rather to the fruit of the tree than to the tree itself. Now the only plant growing in the country and having these three colours of fruit, is the vine. Of course, this raises the question whether (1) the _kiskanû_ is a synonym of _gistin_ or _karanu_, or (2) the word _gistin_, which is generally rendered "vine," is, in reality, correctly translated. Whatever be the true explanation, one thing is certain, namely, that in the description of Paradise, the word black or dark (_salmu_), applied to the tree there mentioned, cannot refer to the tree itself, for that is described as being like "white lapis" (_uknu êbbu_), a beautiful stone mottled blue and white.
Babylonian Mythological Composition. Impression of a cylinder-seal showing a male figure on the right and a bull-man on the left, holding erect bulls by the horns and tails. In the centre is a form of the sacred tree on a hill. Date about 2500 B.C. British Museum.
Babylonian Mythological Composition. Impression of a cylinder-seal showing Istar, goddess of love and of war as archeress, standing on the back of a lion, which turns its head to caress her feet. Before her is a worshipper (priest) and two goats (reversed to form a symmetrical design), leaping. Behind her is a date-palm. Date about 650 B.C. British Museum.
Among other trees of a sacred nature is "the cedar beloved of the great gods," mentioned in an inscription of a religious or ceremonial nature, though exactly in what connection the imperfectness of the document does not enable us to see. It would seem, however, that there were certain priests or seers to whom was confided the "tablet of the gods," containing the secret of the heavens and earth (probably the "tablet of fate," which Merodach took from the husband of Tiamat after his fight with her for the dominion of the universe). These persons, who seem to have been the descendants of En-we-dur-an-ki (the Euedoranchos of Berosus), king of Sippar, were those to whom was confided "the cedar beloved of the great gods"--perhaps a kind of sceptre. They had, however, not only to be of noble race, but also perfect physically and free from every defect and disease. Moreover, one who did not keep the command of Samas and Addu (Hadad) could not approach the place of Ae, Samas, Marduk, and Nin-edina, nor the number of the brothers who were to enter the seership; they were not to reveal to him the word of the oracle, and "the cedar beloved of the great gods" was not to be delivered into his hands.