In Sumerian mythology, the sacred decrees or powers held by the gods are called me.
The me are divine principles, institutions, or powers that make civilization possible. They can include kingship, justice, crafts, music, sexuality, and other aspects of organized human life. The term does not refer to a single object in every context; it describes a category of authoritative cultural powers.
The most famous account appears in the myth Inanna and Enki. Inanna obtains the me from Enki at Eridu and carries them to Uruk, symbolically transferring important aspects of civilization to her city.
The me are often confused with ordinary laws or physical tablets. Their meaning is broader: they are divinely authorized patterns that structure society and culture. Spellings and translations vary because Sumerian words can have several scholarly renderings.