It pretty much depends on what She wants to convey when she manifests.
Of all the times I've seen her, a few things remained the same. She was not tall or physically imposing. I'm 5'4", and She was not much taller than me. She has high cheek bones, and angular features. She is not skinny and is not fat. She's no waif, but neither is She a hog, just a good, solid build. Her eyes are sharp and a very, very light shade of steel gray. It's like She looks through you. Her lips are full and have a bluish tint to them.
Her other features change from time to time, I presume to convey different aspects of Her being. Most often She manifests to me with shiny black (like jet) hair that is long and flowing. However, She has also manifested with steel gray hair braided up so that it stands up behind her head. I don't really know how to describe it except to say that if you've ever seen any artwork of the Sumerian/Akkadian epoch, you've probably seen what I'm talking about. This hairstyle seems to be when She is taking the role of judging someone or something. It accentuates Her age (She is Inanna's elder sister), and the wisdom in judging and the authority that age confers. When I see Her in Her realm, She is dressed in a long scarlet gown with rather elaborate black trimmings and carries with Her a sceptre topped by a ball that is cloudy and the only way to describe it is that it is all colors, but no color. Think about when you close your eyes and put pressure on your eyeballs with your fingers, those bursts of light that are very colorful, but can't be pinned down as any one color? It's like that. When outside Her realm, often at places with altars and such, She wears a midnight blue dress, that is trimmed in silver and is tight to her body but not revealing, if you know what I mean. She still has Her sceptre, but also wields a dagger.
Others have described her differently, but not a lot different. Usually the modes of dress are different and She might be taller or shorter. However, what everyone who's met Her has witnessed is the aura about Her. Like I said, I've never seen Her manifest as physically imposing, yet all in Her realm, and even those outside of it, show fear and respect towards Her, to the point that most in Her realms do not call Her by Ereshkigal, but rather the Dark Lady, or simply the Lady, and everyone knows who that referrs to. She carries an aura of immense power and authority. She seems to me that She is aware of Her power, and feels that She doesn't have to make a show of it. It's simply there, and I have the feeling that if you do not respect Her, She is quick to give you a lesson.
This post has been edited by DarkGoddess: Dec 17 2006, 01:20 PM
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To these I turn, in these I trust; Brother Lead and Sister Steel. To his blind power I make appeal; I guard her beauty clean from rust.
He spins and burns and loves the air, And splits a skull to win my praise; But up the nobly marching days She glitters naked, cold and fair.
Sweet Sister, grant your soldier this; That in good fury he may feel The body where he sets his heel Quail from your downward darting kiss.
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