An uthra or ʿutra ( myz,
ࡏࡅࡕࡓࡀ; plural: ʿutri) is a "divine messenger of the light" in
Mandaeism
Mandaeism (Classical Mandaic: ࡌࡀࡍࡃࡀࡉࡉࡀ ; Arabic: المندائيّة ), sometimes also known as Nasoraeanism or Sabianism, is a Gnostic, monotheistic and ethnic religion. Its adherents, the Mandaeans, revere Adam, Abel, S ...
.
Charles G. Häberl
Charles G. Häberl (born 1976 in New Jersey, United States) is an American religious studies scholar, linguist, and professor. He is currently Professor of African, Middle Eastern, and South Asian Languages and Literatures ( AMESALL) and Religion ...
and
James F. McGrath
James Frank McGrath is the Clarence L. Goodwin Chair in New Testament Language and Literature at Butler University and is known for his work on Early Christianity, Mandaeism, criticism of the Christ myth theory, and the analysis of religion in ...
translate it as "excellency".
Jorunn J. Buckley
Jorunn Jacobsen Buckley (born Jorunn Jacobsen in 1944 in Norway) is an American religious studies scholar and historian of religion known for her work on Mandaeism and Gnosticism. She was a former Professor of Religion at Bowdoin College. She is k ...
defines them as "Lightworld beings, called 'utras (sing.: 'utra 'wealth', but meaning 'angel' or 'guardian')."
[ p8] Aldihisi (2008) compares them to the ''
yazata
Yazata ( ae, 𐬫𐬀𐬰𐬀𐬙𐬀) is the Avestan word for a Zoroastrian concept with a wide range of meanings but generally signifying (or used as an epithet of) a divinity. The term literally means "worthy of worship or veneration",.. and i ...
'' of
Zoroastrianism
Zoroastrianism is an Iranian religions, Iranian religion and one of the world's History of religion, oldest organized faiths, based on the teachings of the Iranian peoples, Iranian-speaking prophet Zoroaster. It has a Dualism in cosmology, du ...
.
According to
Ethel S. Drower, "an 'uthra is an ethereal being, a spirit of light and Life."
Uthras are benevolent beings that live in ''
škina
In Mandaeism, a shkinta ( myz, ࡔࡊࡉࡍࡕࡀ, translit=škinta, lit=shekinah) or shkina (''škina'') is a celestial dwelling inhabited by uthras in the World of Light that is analogous to the shekhinah in Jewish mysticism. In Tibil (the p ...
s'' ( myz, ࡔࡊࡉࡍࡀ, celestial dwellings) in the
World of Light
In Mandaeism, the World of Light or Lightworld ( myz, ࡀࡋࡌࡀ ࡖࡍࡄࡅࡓࡀ, translit=alma ḏ-nhūra) is the primeval, transcendental world from which Tibil and the World of Darkness emerged.
Description
*The Great Life (''Hayyi Rabbi ...
(''alma ḏ-nhūra'') and communicate with each other via
telepathy
Telepathy () is the purported vicarious transmission of information from one person's mind to another's without using any known human sensory channels or physical interaction. The term was first coined in 1882 by the classical scholar Frederic W ...
.
Uthras are also occasionally mentioned as being in ''anana'' ("clouds"; e.g., in ''
Right Ginza
The Right Ginza is one of the two parts of the Ginza Rabba, the longest and the most important holy scripture of Mandaeism. The other part of the Ginza Rabba is the Left Ginza.
Summaries of each book (or tractate), based mostly on Häberl (2007 ...
'' Book 17, Chapter 1), which can also be interpreted as female consorts.
Many uthras also serve as guardians (''naṭra''); for instance,
Shilmai
In Mandaeism, Shilmai (Šilmai; myz, ࡔࡉࡋࡌࡀࡉ) or Shalmai (Šalmai) is an uthra (angel or guardian) who serves as one of the two guardian spirits of Piriawis, the heavenly ''yardna'' (river) in the World of Light. In the ''Ginza Rabba'' ...
and
Nidbai
In Mandaeism, Nidbai ( myz, ࡍࡉࡃࡁࡀࡉ) is an uthra (angel or guardian) who serves as one of the two guardian spirits () of Piriawis, the heavenly ''yardna'' (river) in the World of Light. In the ''Ginza Rabba'' and ''Qolasta'', he is usua ...
are the guardians of
Piriawis
In Mandaean cosmology, Piriawis ( myz, ࡐࡉࡓࡉࡀࡅࡉࡎ; sometimes also spelled Biriawiš Lidzbarski, Mark. 1920. ''Mandäische Liturgien''. Abhandlungen der Königlichen Gesellschaft der Wissenschaften zu Göttingen, phil.-hist. Klasse, NF ...
, the Great Jordan (''
yardna
In Mandaeism, a yardna ( myz, ࡉࡀࡓࡃࡍࡀ, lit=Jordan) or yardena ([]; ar, یردنا) is a body of flowing fresh water (or in myz, ࡌࡉࡀ ࡄࡉࡉࡀ, translit=mia hiia, lit=living water; pronounced ''mia h(a)yya'') that is suitab ...
'') of Life.
Etymology
''Uthra'' is typically considered to be
cognate
In historical linguistics, cognates or lexical cognates are sets of words in different languages that have been inherited in direct descent from an etymology, etymological ancestor in a proto-language, common parent language. Because language c ...
with
Aramaic
The Aramaic languages, short Aramaic ( syc, ܐܪܡܝܐ, Arāmāyā; oar, 𐤀𐤓𐤌𐤉𐤀; arc, 𐡀𐡓𐡌𐡉𐡀; tmr, אֲרָמִית), are a language family containing many varieties (languages and dialects) that originated in ...
ʿuṯrā ‘riches’, derived from the
Semitic root
The roots of verbs and most nouns in the Semitic languages are characterized as a sequence of consonants or " radicals" (hence the term consonantal root). Such abstract consonantal roots are used in the formation of actual words by adding the vowel ...
*w-t-r ‘to exceed’.
Based on this etymology,
E. S. Drower suggests a parallel with the
South Arabian storm god Attar
Attar or Attoor ( ar, عطار, ) may refer to:
People
*Attar (name)
*Fariduddin Attar, 12th-century Persian poet
Places
*Attar (Madhya Pradesh), the location of Attar railway station, Madhya Pradesh, India
*Attar, Iran, a village in Razavi Kho ...
, who provides irrigation for the people.
However, this etymology is disputed by
Charles G. Häberl
Charles G. Häberl (born 1976 in New Jersey, United States) is an American religious studies scholar, linguist, and professor. He is currently Professor of African, Middle Eastern, and South Asian Languages and Literatures ( AMESALL) and Religion ...
(2017), who suggests it is the
ʾaqtal pattern noun ''*awtərā'' "excellency".
Naming
Uthras often have the term ''
Ziwa
Ziwa is an archaeological site in Nyanga District, Zimbabwe, containing the remains of a vast late Iron Age agricultural settlement dated to the 15th century. Ziwa was declared a National Monument in 1946 and is currently under consideration fo ...
'' / ''Ziua'' ( "Radiance') attached after their names, due to their origins from the
World of Light
In Mandaeism, the World of Light or Lightworld ( myz, ࡀࡋࡌࡀ ࡖࡍࡄࡅࡓࡀ, translit=alma ḏ-nhūra) is the primeval, transcendental world from which Tibil and the World of Darkness emerged.
Description
*The Great Life (''Hayyi Rabbi ...
. In
Manichaeism
Manichaeism (;
in New Persian ; ) is a former major religionR. van den Broek, Wouter J. Hanegraaff ''Gnosis and Hermeticism from Antiquity to Modern Times''SUNY Press, 1998 p. 37 founded in the 3rd century AD by the Parthian Empire, Parthian ...
, the
Syriac Syriac may refer to:
*Syriac language, an ancient dialect of Middle Aramaic
*Sureth, one of the modern dialects of Syriac spoken in the Nineveh Plains region
* Syriac alphabet
** Syriac (Unicode block)
** Syriac Supplement
* Neo-Aramaic languages a ...
term ''Ziwa'' () is also used to refer to Jesus as ''Ishoʿ Ziwā'' ( syr, ܝܫܘܥ ܙܝܘܐ, ''
Jesus the Splendor
In Manichaeism, Jesus (Romanization of Parthian and Pahlavi: ) is considered one of the four prophets of the faith, along with Zoroaster, Gautama Buddha and Mani. He is also a "guiding deity" who greets the light bodies of the righteous after th ...
''), who is sent to awaken Adam and Eve to the source of the spiritual light trapped within their physical bodies.
Pairs of uthras also typically have rhyming names. The names can be
alliterative
Alliteration is the conspicuous repetition of initial consonant sounds of nearby words in a phrase, often used as a literary device. A familiar example is "Peter Piper picked a peck of pickled peppers". Alliteration is used poetically in various ...
(e.g.,
Adathan and Yadathan
In Mandaeism, Adathan ( myz, ࡀࡃࡀࡕࡀࡍ) and Yadathan ( myz, ࡅࡀࡃࡀࡕࡀࡍ) are a pair of uthras (angel or guardian) who stand at the Gate of Life in the World of Light, praising and worshipping Hayyi Rabbi. In the ''Ginza Rabba'' ...
), or one name may have an infixed consonant or syllable (e.g., Kapan and Kanpan). In
Manichaeism
Manichaeism (;
in New Persian ; ) is a former major religionR. van den Broek, Wouter J. Hanegraaff ''Gnosis and Hermeticism from Antiquity to Modern Times''SUNY Press, 1998 p. 37 founded in the 3rd century AD by the Parthian Empire, Parthian ...
, pairs of celestial beings can also have rhyming names, such as
Xroshtag and Padvaxtag
Xrôshtag and Padvâxtag (''Xrōštag and Padvāxtag'') are a pair of Manichaeanism, Manichaean divinity, divinities, always depicted together, who serve as the personifications of the words "call" and "answer".Burkitt, F. C. 1935. Xrôshtag and P ...
. Gardner (2010) discusses other parallels with Manichaeism.
List of uthras
Commonly mentioned uthras
Below is a partial list of uthras. Some names of uthras are always listed together as pairs.
*
Manda d-Hayyi
In Mandaeism, Manda d-Hayyi or Manda ḏ-Hiia ( myz, ࡌࡀࡍࡃࡀ ࡖࡄࡉࡉࡀ, lit=the 'Gnosis of Life', 'Knowledge of Life', or 'Knower of the Life') is an uthra (angel or guardian) sent by the Great Life (''Hayyi Rabbi'', or the Transcend ...
, the savior uthra
*The triad consisting of the 3 sons of
Adam
Adam; el, Ἀδάμ, Adám; la, Adam is the name given in Genesis 1-5 to the first human. Beyond its use as the name of the first man, ''adam'' is also used in the Bible as a pronoun, individually as "a human" and in a collective sense as " ...
according to Book 1 of the ''
Left Ginza
The Left Ginza is one of the two parts of the Ginza Rabba, the longest and the most important holy scripture of Mandaeism. The other part of the Ginza Rabba is the Right Ginza.
Summaries of each book (or tractate), based mostly on Häberl (200 ...
'':
**
Hibil
In Mandaeism, Hibil ( myz, ࡄࡉࡁࡉࡋ) or Hibil Ziwa ( myz, ࡄࡉࡁࡉࡋ ࡆࡉࡅࡀ) is an uthra (angel or guardian) from the World of Light. Hibil is considered to be the Mandaean equivalent of Abel.
Prayers in the Qolasta frequently c ...
(
Abel
Abel ''Hábel''; ar, هابيل, Hābīl is a Biblical figure in the Book of Genesis within Abrahamic religions. He was the younger brother of Cain, and the younger son of Adam and Eve, the first couple in Biblical history. He was a shepher ...
)
**
Shitil
In Mandaeism, Shitil or Sheetil (Šītil; myz, ࡔࡉࡕࡉࡋ) is an uthra (angel or guardian) from the World of Light. Shitil is considered to be the Mandaean equivalent of Seth.
Prayers in the Qolasta frequently contain the recurring formula ...
(
Seth
Seth,; el, Σήθ ''Sḗth''; ; "placed", "appointed") in Judaism, Christianity, Islam, Mandaeism, and Sethianism, was the third son of Adam and Eve and brother of Cain and Abel, their only other child mentioned by name in the Hebrew Bible. A ...
)
**
Anush (
Enosh)
*The
emanations:
**
Yushamin
In Mandaeism, Yushamin ( myz, ࡉࡅࡔࡀࡌࡉࡍ) and also known as the 'Second Life', is the primal uthra (angel or guardian) and a subservient emanation who was created by the Mandaean God 'The Great Life' (''Hayyi Rabbi'' or 'The First Lif ...
(the Second Life): the primal uthra
**
Abatur
Abatur ( myz, ࡀࡁࡀࡕࡅࡓ, sometimes called Abathur; Yawar, myz, ࡉࡀࡅࡀࡓ; and the Ancient of Days) is an Uthra and the second of three subservient emanations created by the Mandaean God ''Hayyi Rabbi'' ( myz, ࡄࡉࡉࡀ ࡓࡁ ...
(the Third Life): father of the uthras
**
Ptahil
In Mandaeism, Ptahil ( myz, ࡐࡕࡀࡄࡉࡋ) also known as Ptahil-Uthra (uthra = angel or guardian), is the Fourth Life, the third of three emanations from the First Life, Hayyi Rabbi, after Yushamin and Abatur. Ptahil-Uthra alone does not con ...
(the Fourth Life): the creator of the material world
*
Sam Ziwa
In Mandaeism, Sam Ziwa ( myz, ࡎࡀࡌ ࡆࡉࡅࡀ) is an uthra (angel or guardian) from the World of Light. Sam Ziwa is considered to be the Mandaean equivalent of Shem.
Sam Mana Smira
Sam Ziwa may be identified with Sam Mana Smira (Smir Ziwa ...
(
Shem
Shem (; he, שֵׁם ''Šēm''; ar, سَام, Sām) ''Sḗm''; Ge'ez: ሴም, ''Sēm'' was one of the sons of Noah in the book of Genesis and in the book of Chronicles, and the Quran.
The children of Shem were Elam, Ashur, Arphaxad, L ...
): Shem is cognate with the angelic soteriological figure Sam Ziwa
*
Shilmai
In Mandaeism, Shilmai (Šilmai; myz, ࡔࡉࡋࡌࡀࡉ) or Shalmai (Šalmai) is an uthra (angel or guardian) who serves as one of the two guardian spirits of Piriawis, the heavenly ''yardna'' (river) in the World of Light. In the ''Ginza Rabba'' ...
and
Nidbai
In Mandaeism, Nidbai ( myz, ࡍࡉࡃࡁࡀࡉ) is an uthra (angel or guardian) who serves as one of the two guardian spirits () of Piriawis, the heavenly ''yardna'' (river) in the World of Light. In the ''Ginza Rabba'' and ''Qolasta'', he is usua ...
are a pair of uthras who serve as the guardian spirits (''naṭra''; plural: ''naṭria'') of the
Jordan
Jordan ( ar, الأردن; tr. ' ), officially the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan,; tr. ' is a country in Western Asia. It is situated at the crossroads of Asia, Africa, and Europe, within the Levant region, on the East Bank of the Jordan Rive ...
and the delegates of
Manda d-Hayyi
In Mandaeism, Manda d-Hayyi or Manda ḏ-Hiia ( myz, ࡌࡀࡍࡃࡀ ࡖࡄࡉࡉࡀ, lit=the 'Gnosis of Life', 'Knowledge of Life', or 'Knower of the Life') is an uthra (angel or guardian) sent by the Great Life (''Hayyi Rabbi'', or the Transcend ...
, who carry out the work of God (''
Hayyi Rabbi
In Mandaeism, Hayyi Rabbi ( myz, ࡄࡉࡉࡀ ࡓࡁࡉࡀ, translit=Hiia Rbia, lit=The Great Life), 'The Great Living God', is the supreme God from which all things emanate. He is also known as 'The First Life', since during the creation of th ...
''). (See
Xroshtag and Padvaxtag
Xrôshtag and Padvâxtag (''Xrōštag and Padvāxtag'') are a pair of Manichaeanism, Manichaean divinity, divinities, always depicted together, who serve as the personifications of the words "call" and "answer".Burkitt, F. C. 1935. Xrôshtag and P ...
in
Manichaeism
Manichaeism (;
in New Persian ; ) is a former major religionR. van den Broek, Wouter J. Hanegraaff ''Gnosis and Hermeticism from Antiquity to Modern Times''SUNY Press, 1998 p. 37 founded in the 3rd century AD by the Parthian Empire, Parthian ...
.)
*
Adathan and Yadathan
In Mandaeism, Adathan ( myz, ࡀࡃࡀࡕࡀࡍ) and Yadathan ( myz, ࡅࡀࡃࡀࡕࡀࡍ) are a pair of uthras (angel or guardian) who stand at the Gate of Life in the World of Light, praising and worshipping Hayyi Rabbi. In the ''Ginza Rabba'' ...
are a pair of uthras who stand at the Gate of Life, praising and worshipping God.
In the ''
Ginza Rabba
The Ginza Rabba ( myz, ࡂࡉࡍࡆࡀ ࡓࡁࡀ, translit=Ginzā Rbā, lit=Great Treasury), Ginza Rba, or Sidra Rabba ( myz, ࡎࡉࡃࡓࡀ ࡓࡁࡀ, translit=Sidrā Rbā, lit=Great Book), and formerly the Codex Nasaraeus, is the longest ...
''
Other uthras mentioned in the ''
Ginza Rabba
The Ginza Rabba ( myz, ࡂࡉࡍࡆࡀ ࡓࡁࡀ, translit=Ginzā Rbā, lit=Great Treasury), Ginza Rba, or Sidra Rabba ( myz, ࡎࡉࡃࡓࡀ ࡓࡁࡀ, translit=Sidrā Rbā, lit=Great Book), and formerly the Codex Nasaraeus, is the longest ...
'' are:
*Barbag (Bar-Bag), also called
Azaziʿil – mentioned in ''Right Ginza'' 4 as the "head of the 444
škinta
In Mandaeism, a shkinta ( myz, ࡔࡊࡉࡍࡕࡀ, translit=škinta, lit=shekinah) or shkina (''škina'') is a celestial dwelling inhabited by uthras in the World of Light that is analogous to the shekhinah in Jewish mysticism. In Tibil (the ph ...
s."
*
Bhaq Ziwa
Abatur ( myz, ࡀࡁࡀࡕࡅࡓ, sometimes called Abathur; Yawar, myz, ࡉࡀࡅࡀࡓ; and the Ancient of Days) is an Uthra and the second of three subservient emanations created by the Mandaean God ''Hayyi Rabbi'' ( myz, ࡄࡉࡉࡀ ࡓࡁ ...
– uthra; also
Abatur
Abatur ( myz, ࡀࡁࡀࡕࡅࡓ, sometimes called Abathur; Yawar, myz, ࡉࡀࡅࡀࡓ; and the Ancient of Days) is an Uthra and the second of three subservient emanations created by the Mandaean God ''Hayyi Rabbi'' ( myz, ࡄࡉࡉࡀ ࡓࡁ ...
*
Bihram
In Mandaeism, Bihram ( myz, ࡁࡉࡄࡓࡀࡌ) or Bihram Rabba ( myz, ࡁࡉࡄࡓࡀࡌ ࡓࡁࡀ, "Bihram the Great") is an uthra (angel or guardian) who presides over the ''masbuta'', or baptism ritual. Bihram is mentioned in Mandaean texts su ...
– uthra of
baptism
Baptism (from grc-x-koine, βάπτισμα, váptisma) is a form of ritual purification—a characteristic of many religions throughout time and geography. In Christianity, it is a Christian sacrament of initiation and adoption, almost inv ...
*Bhir (meaning 'chosen, tested, proven') – mentioned as part of a pair with Bihrun in ''Right Ginza'' 8.
*Bihrun – '
he Life
He or HE may refer to:
Language
* He (pronoun), an English pronoun
* He (kana), the romanization of the Japanese kana へ
* He (letter), the fifth letter of many Semitic alphabets
* He (Cyrillic), a letter of the Cyrillic script called ''He'' in ...
chose me'. Mentioned in Qolasta prayers
105 and 168, ''Right Ginza'' 8, and ''Mandaean Book of John'' 62.
*Din Mlikh – uthra who appears in the revelation of
Dinanukht
Dinanukht (also spelled Dinanukt or Dananukt; myz, ࡃࡉࡍࡀࡍࡅࡊࡕ or ; from Persian 'the one who speaks in accordance with the religion') is a mythological character in the ''Ginza Rabba'', one of the main religious scriptures of Mandaei ...
*
Gubran
In Mandaeism, Gubran ( myz, ࡂࡅࡁࡓࡀࡍ) is an uthra (angel or guardian). He is also referred to as Gubran Uthra. Guban is the female consort of Gubran.
In Mandaean scriptures
In the '' Mandaean Book of John'', Gubran Uthra helps Nbaṭ ...
and Guban – mentioned in ''Right Ginza'' 5.1. In the ''
Mandaean Book of John
The Mandaean Book of John (Mandaic language ࡃࡓࡀࡔࡀ ࡖࡉࡀࡄࡉࡀ ') is a Mandaean holy book in Mandaic Aramaic which is believed by Mandeans to have been written by their prophet John the Baptist.
The book contains accounts of Jo ...
'', Gubran Uthra helps
Nbaṭ
In Mandaeism, Nbaṭ ( myz, ࡍࡁࡀࡈ, lit=Sprout) is an uthra (angel or guardian) who is described as the "King of Air" or the "first great Radiance." He is also called Nbaṭ Rba ("the Great Nbaṭ" or "Great Sprout") or Nbaṭ Ziwa ("the Rad ...
lead a rebellion against
Yushamin
In Mandaeism, Yushamin ( myz, ࡉࡅࡔࡀࡌࡉࡍ) and also known as the 'Second Life', is the primal uthra (angel or guardian) and a subservient emanation who was created by the Mandaean God 'The Great Life' (''Hayyi Rabbi'' or 'The First Lif ...
and his 21 sons.
*Ham Ziwa and Nhur Ziwa
*Kapan and Kanpan
*
Nbaṭ
In Mandaeism, Nbaṭ ( myz, ࡍࡁࡀࡈ, lit=Sprout) is an uthra (angel or guardian) who is described as the "King of Air" or the "first great Radiance." He is also called Nbaṭ Rba ("the Great Nbaṭ" or "Great Sprout") or Nbaṭ Ziwa ("the Rad ...
( myz, ࡍࡁࡀࡈ, lit=Sprout) – the King of Air, the first great Radiance
*
Nṣab
In Mandaeism, Nṣab ( myz, ࡍࡑࡀࡁ, lit=Plant) is an uthra (angel or guardian). He is also called Nṣab Rba ("the Great Nṣab") or Nṣab Ziwa ("the Radiant Nṣab" or "Splendid Plant"). Nṣab and Anan-Nṣab ('cloud of Nṣab', a female ...
( myz, ࡍࡑࡀࡁ, lit=Plant) – also called Nṣab Rabba and Nṣab Ziwa. Son of
Yushamin
In Mandaeism, Yushamin ( myz, ࡉࡅࡔࡀࡌࡉࡍ) and also known as the 'Second Life', is the primal uthra (angel or guardian) and a subservient emanation who was created by the Mandaean God 'The Great Life' (''Hayyi Rabbi'' or 'The First Lif ...
. Frequently mentioned with Anan-Nṣab ('cloud of Nṣab', a female consort) as a pair. Mentioned in ''Right Ginza'' 8 and 17.1, and Qolasta prayers
25,
71,
105, 145, 168, 186, 353, and 379.
*Nbaz (Nbaz Haila) – Mentioned in ''Right Ginza'' 1.4 and 6 as the guardian of a
matarta
In Mandaean cosmology, a maṭarta ( myz, ࡌࡀࡈࡀࡓࡕࡀ; plural form: ''maṭarata'') is a "station" or "toll house" that is located between the World of Light (''alma ḏ-nhūra'') from Tibil (Earth). It has variously been translated as " ...
. He is mentioned in ''Right Ginza'' 6 as "Nbaz-Haila, the Lord of Darkness, the great anvil of the earth."
*Nurʿil and Nuriaʿil – mentioned in ''Right Ginza'' 5.1.
*
Piriawis
In Mandaean cosmology, Piriawis ( myz, ࡐࡉࡓࡉࡀࡅࡉࡎ; sometimes also spelled Biriawiš Lidzbarski, Mark. 1920. ''Mandäische Liturgien''. Abhandlungen der Königlichen Gesellschaft der Wissenschaften zu Göttingen, phil.-hist. Klasse, NF ...
Yardna – also a heavenly stream and personified vine (''gupna'')
*Rahziʿil – mentioned in ''Right Ginza'' 11, in which he is described as "the well-armed one who (is) the smallest of his brothers."
*
Sam Mana Smira
In Mandaeism, Sam Ziwa ( myz, ࡎࡀࡌ ࡆࡉࡅࡀ) is an uthra (angel or guardian) from the World of Light. Sam Ziwa is considered to be the Mandaean equivalent of Shem.
Sam Mana Smira
Sam Ziwa may be identified with Sam Mana Smira (Smir Ziwa ...
(Smir Ziwa 'pure first Radiance', or Sam Smir Ziwa; ''Smir'' means 'preserved') – one of the Twelve. Sam Mana Smira is mentioned in
Qolasta
The Qolastā, Qulasta, or Qolusta ( myz, ࡒࡅࡋࡀࡎࡕࡀ; mid, Qōlutā, script=Latn) is the canonical prayer book of the Mandaeans, a Gnostic ethnoreligious group from Iraq and Iran. The Mandaic word ''qolastā'' means "collection". The p ...
prayers
9,
14,
28,
77, and 171, and ''Right Ginza'' 3 and 5.4. Yawar Mana Smira and Sam Smira Ziwa are mentioned in ''Right Ginza'' 14. Lidzbarski (1920) translates ''Sam Mana Smira'' as "Sām, the well-preserved Mānā."
[Lidzbarski, Mark. 1920. ''Mandäische Liturgien''. Abhandlungen der Königlichen Gesellschaft der Wissenschaften zu Göttingen, phil.-hist. Klasse, NF 17.1. Berlin.]
*Sar and Sarwan – mentioned in
Qolasta
The Qolastā, Qulasta, or Qolusta ( myz, ࡒࡅࡋࡀࡎࡕࡀ; mid, Qōlutā, script=Latn) is the canonical prayer book of the Mandaeans, a Gnostic ethnoreligious group from Iraq and Iran. The Mandaic word ''qolastā'' means "collection". The p ...
prayers
25,
105, 168, and 378, and ''Right Ginza'' 5.1, 8, and 17.1.
*
Ṣaureil (Ṣaurʿil) – the angel of death; also an epithet for the Moon (Sén)
*
Shihlun
Shihlun ( myz, ࡔࡉࡄࡋࡅࡍ, translit=Šihlun, lit=he sent me; also spelled Shehlon) is an uthra (angel or guardian) in the World of Light. In the '' Mandaean Book of John'', he is noted for his opposition to the creation of the material uni ...
(lit. '
he Life
He or HE may refer to:
Language
* He (pronoun), an English pronoun
* He (kana), the romanization of the Japanese kana へ
* He (letter), the fifth letter of many Semitic alphabets
* He (Cyrillic), a letter of the Cyrillic script called ''He'' in ...
has sent me')
*
Simat Hayyi
In Mandaeism, Simat Hayyi or Simat Hiia ( myz, ࡎࡉࡌࡀࡕ ࡄࡉࡉࡀ, lit=Treasure of Life), the personification of life, is an uthra (angel or guardian) from the World of Light who is the wife of Yawar Ziwa.
The name ''Simat Hayyi'' ("Li ...
– treasure of life; typically considered to be the wife of the uthra
Yawar Ziwa
In Mandaeism, Yawar Ziwa ( myz, ࡉࡀࡅࡀࡓ ࡆࡉࡅࡀ, lit=dazzling radiance; also known as Yawar Kasia "Hidden Yawar", or Yawar Rabba "Great Yawar") is an uthra (angel or guardian) from the World of Light. He is the personification of li ...
*
Tar and Tarwan.
Tarwan
In Mandaeism, Tarwan ( myz, ࡕࡀࡓࡅࡀࡍ, translit=Taruan) is a section of the World of Light that is typically described as a "pure land."
The "land of Tarwan" is mentioned in Qolasta prayers 190 and 379 and ''Right Ginza'' 15.17, while "pu ...
is mentioned in ''Right Ginza'' 8 and in Qolasta prayer
105. The "land of Tarwan" is mentioned in Qolasta prayers 190 and 379 and ''Right Ginza'' 15.17, while "pure Tarwan" (''taruan dakita''), or sometimes "the pure land of Tarwan," is mentioned as a heavenly place in ''Right Ginza'' 15.2, 15.8, 15.16, and 16.1. "Tarwan-Nhura" (Tarwan of Light) is mentioned in Qolasta prayers
4 and
25.
*
ʿUrpʿil and Marpʿil
*Yasana – mentioned in ''Right Ginza'' 12.1 as the "gate of Yasana."
*
Yathrun
In Mandaeism, Shilmai (Šilmai; myz, ࡔࡉࡋࡌࡀࡉ) or Shalmai (Šalmai) is an uthra (angel or guardian) who serves as one of the two guardian spirits of Piriawis, the heavenly ''yardna'' (river) in the World of Light. In the ''Ginza Rabba'' ...
– father of
Shilmai
In Mandaeism, Shilmai (Šilmai; myz, ࡔࡉࡋࡌࡀࡉ) or Shalmai (Šalmai) is an uthra (angel or guardian) who serves as one of the two guardian spirits of Piriawis, the heavenly ''yardna'' (river) in the World of Light. In the ''Ginza Rabba'' ...
*
Yawar Ziwa
In Mandaeism, Yawar Ziwa ( myz, ࡉࡀࡅࡀࡓ ࡆࡉࡅࡀ, lit=dazzling radiance; also known as Yawar Kasia "Hidden Yawar", or Yawar Rabba "Great Yawar") is an uthra (angel or guardian) from the World of Light. He is the personification of li ...
– Dazzling Radiance, also known as Yawar Kasia or Yawar Rabba; husband of
Simat Hayyi
In Mandaeism, Simat Hayyi or Simat Hiia ( myz, ࡎࡉࡌࡀࡕ ࡄࡉࡉࡀ, lit=Treasure of Life), the personification of life, is an uthra (angel or guardian) from the World of Light who is the wife of Yawar Ziwa.
The name ''Simat Hayyi'' ("Li ...
. ''Yawar'' can also mean 'Helper.'
*
Yufin-Yufafin
In Mandaeism, Yufin-Yufafin or Yupin-Yupapin ( myz, ࡉࡅࡐࡉࡍ ࡅࡉࡅࡐࡀࡐࡉࡍ, translit=iupin u-iupapin) is an uthra (angel or guardian) in the World of Light. In the ''Ginza Rabba'', Yufin-Yufafin is mentioned in Books 3 and 5.4 of ...
(Yupin-Yupapin)
*Yukabar (Yukhabr; myz, ࡉࡅࡊࡀࡁࡀࡓ) – mentioned in
Qolasta
The Qolastā, Qulasta, or Qolusta ( myz, ࡒࡅࡋࡀࡎࡕࡀ; mid, Qōlutā, script=Latn) is the canonical prayer book of the Mandaeans, a Gnostic ethnoreligious group from Iraq and Iran. The Mandaic word ''qolastā'' means "collection". The p ...
prayers
74,
77, 173, and 379, and in ''Right Ginza'' 15.6 (as Yukabar-Kušṭa), 16.4, and 17.1 (as Yukabar-Ziwa). Yukabar helps
Nbaṭ
In Mandaeism, Nbaṭ ( myz, ࡍࡁࡀࡈ, lit=Sprout) is an uthra (angel or guardian) who is described as the "King of Air" or the "first great Radiance." He is also called Nbaṭ Rba ("the Great Nbaṭ" or "Great Sprout") or Nbaṭ Ziwa ("the Rad ...
fight a rebellion against
Yushamin
In Mandaeism, Yushamin ( myz, ࡉࡅࡔࡀࡌࡉࡍ) and also known as the 'Second Life', is the primal uthra (angel or guardian) and a subservient emanation who was created by the Mandaean God 'The Great Life' (''Hayyi Rabbi'' or 'The First Lif ...
in the ''
Mandaean Book of John
The Mandaean Book of John (Mandaic language ࡃࡓࡀࡔࡀ ࡖࡉࡀࡄࡉࡀ ') is a Mandaean holy book in Mandaic Aramaic which is believed by Mandeans to have been written by their prophet John the Baptist.
The book contains accounts of Jo ...
''.
*Yukašar (Yukhashr; myz, ࡉࡅࡊࡀࡔࡀࡓ) – source of Radiance. Mentioned in
Qolasta
The Qolastā, Qulasta, or Qolusta ( myz, ࡒࡅࡋࡀࡎࡕࡀ; mid, Qōlutā, script=Latn) is the canonical prayer book of the Mandaeans, a Gnostic ethnoreligious group from Iraq and Iran. The Mandaic word ''qolastā'' means "collection". The p ...
prayers
53,
54,
55,
64,
77, and 343, and in ''Right Ginza'' 4 as Yukašar-Kana (''kana'' means 'place' or 'source'). In the ''
Mandaean Book of John
The Mandaean Book of John (Mandaic language ࡃࡓࡀࡔࡀ ࡖࡉࡀࡄࡉࡀ ') is a Mandaean holy book in Mandaic Aramaic which is believed by Mandeans to have been written by their prophet John the Baptist.
The book contains accounts of Jo ...
'', he is portrayed as the son of
Ptahil
In Mandaeism, Ptahil ( myz, ࡐࡕࡀࡄࡉࡋ) also known as Ptahil-Uthra (uthra = angel or guardian), is the Fourth Life, the third of three emanations from the First Life, Hayyi Rabbi, after Yushamin and Abatur. Ptahil-Uthra alone does not con ...
.
*Yura (Yur) – "jewel". Mentioned in ''Right Ginza'' 15.7, 15.8, 16.1, and 17.1 as the (great)
ganzibra
A ganzibra (singular form in myz, ࡂࡀࡍࡆࡉࡁࡓࡀ, plural form in myz, ࡂࡀࡍࡆࡉࡁࡓࡉࡀ , literally 'treasurer' in Mandaic; fa, گنزورا) is a high priest in Mandaeism. Tarmidas, or junior priests, rank below the ganzibra ...
or treasurer. Yur is also the name of one of the
matarta
In Mandaean cosmology, a maṭarta ( myz, ࡌࡀࡈࡀࡓࡕࡀ; plural form: ''maṭarata'') is a "station" or "toll house" that is located between the World of Light (''alma ḏ-nhūra'') from Tibil (Earth). It has variously been translated as " ...
guardians.
*
Yurba
In Mandaeism, Yurba ( myz, ࡉࡅࡓࡁࡀ, translit=Iurba) is an uthra (angelic or celestial being). Lidzbarski (1905, 1920) spells his name as spelled Jōrabba. Yurba, who is also called the fighter, is identified with Shamish, the sun. In Man ...
(spelled Jōrabba by
Lidzbarski) – also called the fighter. Yurba is identified with
Shamish
In Mandaeism, Shamish or Šamiš ( myz, ࡔࡀࡌࡉࡔ) is the Mandaic name for the Sun.Müller-Kessler, Christa (2018). "Šamaš, Sîn (Sahra, Sira), Delibat (Ištar, al-‘Uzzā), und Kēwān (Kajjamānu) in den frühen mandäischen magischen T ...
, the sun.
Book 18 of the ''Right Ginza'' equates Yurba with
Adonai
Judaism considers some names of God so holy that, once written, they should not be erased: YHWH, Adonai, El ("God"), Elohim ("God," a plural noun), Shaddai ("Almighty"), and Tzevaot (" fHosts"); some also include Ehyeh ("I Will Be").This is th ...
of Judaism, while Gelbert (2017) identifies Yurba with
Yao.
Mentioned in ''Right Ginza'' 3, 5.3 (which mentions Yurba as a
matarta
In Mandaean cosmology, a maṭarta ( myz, ࡌࡀࡈࡀࡓࡕࡀ; plural form: ''maṭarata'') is a "station" or "toll house" that is located between the World of Light (''alma ḏ-nhūra'') from Tibil (Earth). It has variously been translated as " ...
guardian), 8, 12.1, 15.5, and 18 and ''Left Ginza'' 2.22 and 3.45. ''Mandaean Book of John'' 52 is a narrative dedicated to Yurba. Yurba is often mentioned as engaging in conversation with Ruha.
*Zarzeil Ziwa (Zarzʿil Ziwa) – mentioned in ''Right Ginza'' 5.1 and 15.8.
*Zhir (meaning 'secured') – often mentioned as part of a pair with
Zihrun
Zihrun ( myz, ࡆࡉࡄࡓࡅࡍ, lit=he he Lifewarned me; sometimes also spelled Zahrun), is an uthra (angel or guardian) in the World of Light. He is the main subject of the Mandaean scroll ''Zihrun Raza Kasia''.
The uthra Zhir (meaning 'secure ...
*
Zihrun
Zihrun ( myz, ࡆࡉࡄࡓࡅࡍ, lit=he he Lifewarned me; sometimes also spelled Zahrun), is an uthra (angel or guardian) in the World of Light. He is the main subject of the Mandaean scroll ''Zihrun Raza Kasia''.
The uthra Zhir (meaning 'secure ...
(sometimes spelled as Zahrun; literally means 'the Life warned me') – Zihrun is mentioned in ''Right Ginza'' 4 as Zihrun-Uthra (also called Yusmir-Kana) and ''Right Ginza'' 8, and in ''Mandaean Book of John'' 62 as a "morning star." Qolasta prayers
2,
3, 240, and 319 mention him as Zihrun Raza ("Zihrun the Mystery"). He is described as an uthra of radiance, light, and glory in prayers 2 and 3, with prayer 2 mentioning
Manda d-Hayyi
In Mandaeism, Manda d-Hayyi or Manda ḏ-Hiia ( myz, ࡌࡀࡍࡃࡀ ࡖࡄࡉࡉࡀ, lit=the 'Gnosis of Life', 'Knowledge of Life', or 'Knower of the Life') is an uthra (angel or guardian) sent by the Great Life (''Hayyi Rabbi'', or the Transcend ...
as an emanation of Zihrun. Qolasta prayers 332, 340, 341, and 374 mention him as the name for a
drabsha
The drabshaDrower, Ethel Stefana (1937). ''The Mandaeans of Iraq and Iran''. Oxford at the Clarendon Press. ( myz, ࡃࡓࡀࡁࡔࡀ) or darfash ( ar, درفش) is the symbol of the Mandaean faith. It is typically translated as 'banner'.
Etymo ...
(banner), and prayer 347 mentions him as Zihrun-Šašlamiel. He is the subject of ''
Zihrun Raza Kasia
The ''Šarḥ ḏ-Zihrun Raza Kasia'' ( myz, ࡔࡀࡓࡇ ࡖࡆࡉࡄࡓࡅࡍ ࡓࡀࡆࡀ ࡊࡀࡎࡉࡀ; "The Scroll of Zihrun, the Hidden Mystery") is a Mandaean religious text that describes rituals such as the masbuta, masiqta, and other ...
''.
In ''
Right Ginza
The Right Ginza is one of the two parts of the Ginza Rabba, the longest and the most important holy scripture of Mandaeism. The other part of the Ginza Rabba is the Left Ginza.
Summaries of each book (or tractate), based mostly on Häberl (2007 ...
'' 5.1,
Yawar Ziwa
In Mandaeism, Yawar Ziwa ( myz, ࡉࡀࡅࡀࡓ ࡆࡉࡅࡀ, lit=dazzling radiance; also known as Yawar Kasia "Hidden Yawar", or Yawar Rabba "Great Yawar") is an uthra (angel or guardian) from the World of Light. He is the personification of li ...
appoints four uthras each over the four directions to watch over
Ur (''see also''
Guardians of the directions
The Guardians of the Directions (Sanskrit: दिक्पाल, Dikpāla) are the deities who rule the specific directions of space according to Hinduism, Jainism and '' '' Buddhism—especially . As a group of eight deities, they are called ( ...
):
*''west'':
Azaziʿil, Azaziaʿil, Taqpʿil and Margazʿil the Great
*''east'':
ʿUrpʿil,
Marpʿil, Taqpʿil and Hananʿil
*''north'': Kanpan and Kapan,
Gubran
In Mandaeism, Gubran ( myz, ࡂࡅࡁࡓࡀࡍ) is an uthra (angel or guardian). He is also referred to as Gubran Uthra. Guban is the female consort of Gubran.
In Mandaean scriptures
In the '' Mandaean Book of John'', Gubran Uthra helps Nbaṭ ...
and Guban
*''south'': Hailʿil, Qarbʿil, Nurʿil and Nuriaʿil
In the ''
Qolasta
The Qolastā, Qulasta, or Qolusta ( myz, ࡒࡅࡋࡀࡎࡕࡀ; mid, Qōlutā, script=Latn) is the canonical prayer book of the Mandaeans, a Gnostic ethnoreligious group from Iraq and Iran. The Mandaic word ''qolastā'' means "collection". The p ...
''
A few ''
Qolasta
The Qolastā, Qulasta, or Qolusta ( myz, ࡒࡅࡋࡀࡎࡕࡀ; mid, Qōlutā, script=Latn) is the canonical prayer book of the Mandaeans, a Gnostic ethnoreligious group from Iraq and Iran. The Mandaic word ''qolastā'' means "collection". The p ...
'' prayers list the names of lesser-known uthras in sets of four. Mark J. Lofts (2010) considers them to be parallel to the
Four Luminaries
4 (four) is a number, numeral and digit. It is the natural number following 3 and preceding 5. It is the smallest semiprime and composite number, and is considered unlucky in many East Asian cultures.
In mathematics
Four is the smallest c ...
in
Sethian Gnosticism
The Sethians were one of the main currents of Gnosticism during the 2nd and 3rd century CE, along with Valentinianism and Basilideanism. According to John D. Turner, it originated in the 2nd century CE as a fusion of two distinct Hellenistic ...
. Qolasta prayers
17 and
77 list them as:
*Rhum-Hai ("Mercy")
*Īn-Hai ("Wellspring" or "Source of Life"
)
*Šum-Hai ("Name")
*Zamar-Hai ("Singer")
''Qolasta''
prayer 49 lists the "four uthras" as:
*Īn-Hai
*Šum-Hai (''Šum'' can mean both
Shem
Shem (; he, שֵׁם ''Šēm''; ar, سَام, Sām) ''Sḗm''; Ge'ez: ሴም, ''Sēm'' was one of the sons of Noah in the book of Genesis and in the book of Chronicles, and the Quran.
The children of Shem were Elam, Ashur, Arphaxad, L ...
and "Name")
*
Ziw-Hai ("Radiance")
*Nhur-Hai ("Light")
These four uthras are considered to be the kings (''malki'') of the
North Star
Polaris is a star in the northern circumpolar constellation of Ursa Minor. It is designated α Ursae Minoris ( Latinized to ''Alpha Ursae Minoris'') and is commonly called the North Star or Pole Star. With an apparent magnitude that ...
who give strength and life to the sun. Together with Malka Ziwa (another name for
Hayyi Rabbi
In Mandaeism, Hayyi Rabbi ( myz, ࡄࡉࡉࡀ ࡓࡁࡉࡀ, translit=Hiia Rbia, lit=The Great Life), 'The Great Living God', is the supreme God from which all things emanate. He is also known as 'The First Life', since during the creation of th ...
), they make up the "five primal beings of light." Conversely, Mandaeans consider the "five lords of the
World of Darkness
''World of Darkness'' is a series of tabletop role-playing games, originally created by Mark Rein-Hagen for White Wolf Publishing. It began as an annual line of five games in 1991–1995, with '' Vampire: The Masquerade'', '' Werewolf: The Apoca ...
" to be
Zartai-Zartanai
In Mandaeism, Zartai-Zartanai ( myz, ࡆࡀࡓࡕࡀࡉ ࡅࡆࡀࡓࡕࡀࡍࡀࡉ) is a demons in Mandaeism, demon in the World of Darkness (Mandaeism), World of Darkness (''alma ḏ-hšuka'') or underworld. Hibil Ziwa encounters Zartai-Zartanai ...
,
Hag and Mag
In Mandaeism, Hag ( myz, ࡄࡀࡂ) and Mag ( myz, ࡌࡀࡂ) are a pair of demons that are usually mentioned together. Hag is a male demon, while Mag is a female demon. Hibil Ziwa encounters Hag and Mag during his descent to the World of Darkness ...
,
Gap and Gapan,
Šdum, and
Krun
Krun (; myz, ࡊࡓࡅࡍ) or Akrun () is a Mandaean lord of the underworld. According to Mandaean cosmology, he dwells in the lowest depths of creation, supporting the entirety of the physical world.
In mythology
Krun is the greatest of the f ...
(the paired demons are considered to rule together as single lords).
(See for similar parallels.)
In ''Qolasta'' prayers such as the ''
Asiet Malkia
The ''Asiet Malkia'' ("Salutation of Kings") is one of the most commonly recited prayers in Mandaeism. In the prayer, the reciter wishes health and victory (''asuta u-zakuta'' ) upon dozens of heavenly and ancestral figures. According to E. S. Dr ...
'', the word ''niṭufta'' (spelled ''niṭupta''), which originally means 'drop' and has sometimes also been translated as 'cloud', is also often used as an appellation to refer to the consorts of uthras. It can also be interpreted as the semen or seed of the Father (Hayyi Rabbi), or a personified drop of "water of life".
Other minor uthras mentioned in the ''Qolasta'' are:
*Hamgai-Ziwa, son of Hamgagai-Ziwa – mentioned in Qolasta prayer
3 and ''Right Ginza'' 15.5.
*Hauran and Hauraran – mentioned in Qolasta prayers
14,
27, and
28. Hauraran is mentioned in ''Right Ginza'' 15.2, ''Left Ginza'' 3.60, and ''Mandaean Book of John'' 70.
*Kanfiel – mentioned in Qolasta prayer 168
*Karkawan-Ziwa – mentioned in Qolasta prayer
49
*Rham and Rhamiel-Uthra – mentioned in Qolasta prayer 378
*Ṣihiun, Pardun, and Kanfun – mentioned in Qolasta prayer
77
*S'haq Ziwa (pronounced
ʰāq zīwā – mentioned in Qolasta prayers
18,
105, and 173. Š'haq is also mentioned in ''Right Ginza'' 15.5. In the ''
1012 Questions
''The Thousand and Twelve Questions'' ( myz, ࡀࡋࡐ ࡕࡓࡉࡎࡀࡓ ࡔࡅࡉࡀࡋࡉࡀ ) is a Mandaean religious text. The ''1012 Questions'' is one of the most detailed texts on Mandaean priestly rituals.
The text contains detailed com ...
'', S'haq Ziwa or Adam S'haq Ziwa (literally "Adam was Bright Radiance"
) is equated with ''
Adam Kasia''.
*Shingilan (or Šingilan-Uthra) – mentioned in Qolasta prayer
105 and ''Mandaean Book of John'' 1 and 69. According to ''Mandaean Book of John'' 1, "Šingilan-Uthra takes the
incense
Incense is aromatic biotic material that releases fragrant smoke when burnt. The term is used for either the material or the aroma. Incense is used for aesthetic reasons, religious worship, aromatherapy, meditation, and ceremony. It may also be ...
holder and brings it before the
Mana
According to Melanesian and Polynesian mythology, ''mana'' is a supernatural force that permeates the universe. Anyone or anything can have ''mana''. They believed it to be a cultivation or possession of energy and power, rather than being a ...
."
*Yukašar – mentioned in Qolasta prayers
53,
54,
55,
64,
77, and 343
*Yaha-Yaha – mentioned in Qolasta prayer
15
*Zha-Zha – mentioned in Qolasta prayer
15
In other texts
In the ''
Mandaean Book of John
The Mandaean Book of John (Mandaic language ࡃࡓࡀࡔࡀ ࡖࡉࡀࡄࡉࡀ ') is a Mandaean holy book in Mandaic Aramaic which is believed by Mandeans to have been written by their prophet John the Baptist.
The book contains accounts of Jo ...
'',
Etinṣib Ziwa
In Mandaeism, Etinṣib Ziwa or Ītinṣib Ziwa ( myz, ࡏࡕࡉࡍࡑࡉࡁ ࡆࡉࡅࡀ, transl=ʿtinṣib Ziwa, lit=Splendid Transplant) is an uthra who starts a battle against Nbaṭ. Etinṣib Ziwa only appears in a few chapters of the ''Mand ...
( myz, ࡏࡕࡉࡍࡑࡉࡁ ࡆࡉࡅࡀ, lit=Splendid Transplant) is an uthra who starts a battle against
Nbaṭ
In Mandaeism, Nbaṭ ( myz, ࡍࡁࡀࡈ, lit=Sprout) is an uthra (angel or guardian) who is described as the "King of Air" or the "first great Radiance." He is also called Nbaṭ Rba ("the Great Nbaṭ" or "Great Sprout") or Nbaṭ Ziwa ("the Rad ...
.
''Gupna''
In various Mandaean texts, several heavenly beings are described as personified
grapevines
''Vitis'' (grapevine) is a genus of 79 accepted species of vining plants in the flowering plant family Vitaceae. The genus is made up of species predominantly from the Northern Hemisphere. It is economically important as the source of grapes, b ...
(''gupna'') in the World of Light. For example, ''Right Ginza'' 15.8 lists the following gupnas in order:
*Taureil (Taurʿil) – also mentioned in Qolasta prayers 379 and 381. ''Right Ginza'' 4 identifies Taureil as another name for Anan Anṣab. According to ''Right Ginza'' 15.8, the gupna Taureil "rests at the river of the pure
Tarwan
In Mandaeism, Tarwan ( myz, ࡕࡀࡓࡅࡀࡍ, translit=Taruan) is a section of the World of Light that is typically described as a "pure land."
The "land of Tarwan" is mentioned in Qolasta prayers 190 and 379 and ''Right Ginza'' 15.17, while "pu ...
."
*Rwaz (Ruaz) – also mentioned in ''Right Ginza'' 6 and 15.7, and in Qolasta prayers
71, 117, 196, 212, and 379
*Yusmir – also mentioned in ''Mandaean Book of John'' 62 and Qolasta prayers
14,
18,
28,
52, 171, and 379. According to ''Right Ginza'' 15.8, the gupna Yusmir "rests upon the earth of
Sam Ziwa
In Mandaeism, Sam Ziwa ( myz, ࡎࡀࡌ ࡆࡉࡅࡀ) is an uthra (angel or guardian) from the World of Light. Sam Ziwa is considered to be the Mandaean equivalent of Shem.
Sam Mana Smira
Sam Ziwa may be identified with Sam Mana Smira (Smir Ziwa ...
."
*
Šarhabeil (Šarhabʿil) – also described as the Great First Radiance in Qolasta prayers
25 and 381. In ''Right Ginza''
18, Šarhabeil and her husband
Šurbai were the only survivors after the world was destroyed during the second epoch of the universe. According to ''Right Ginza'' 15.8, the gupna Šarhabeil "rests upon the earth of
Hibil Ziwa
In Mandaeism, Hibil ( myz, ࡄࡉࡁࡉࡋ) or Hibil Ziwa ( myz, ࡄࡉࡁࡉࡋ ࡆࡉࡅࡀ) is an uthra (angel or guardian) from the World of Light. Hibil is considered to be the Mandaean equivalent of Abel.
Prayers in the Qolasta frequently c ...
."
*Šar (Shar; literal meaning: 'he was firm') – also mentioned in Qolasta prayers
36 and 374. Šar-Ziwa is mentioned in Qolasta prayer 372. Also identified with
Hibil Ziwa
In Mandaeism, Hibil ( myz, ࡄࡉࡁࡉࡋ) or Hibil Ziwa ( myz, ࡄࡉࡁࡉࡋ ࡆࡉࡅࡀ) is an uthra (angel or guardian) from the World of Light. Hibil is considered to be the Mandaean equivalent of Abel.
Prayers in the Qolasta frequently c ...
. According to ''Right Ginza'' 15.8, the gupna Šar "rests upon the earth of the
First Life."
*Pirun – also mentioned in Qolasta prayers
36, 374, and 379 and in the first chapter of the ''Mandaean Book of John''. Pirun is described as a banner (
drabsha
The drabshaDrower, Ethel Stefana (1937). ''The Mandaeans of Iraq and Iran''. Oxford at the Clarendon Press. ( myz, ࡃࡓࡀࡁࡔࡀ) or darfash ( ar, درفش) is the symbol of the Mandaean faith. It is typically translated as 'banner'.
Etymo ...
) in Qolasta prayer 333, and as a "torrent" (river) in Qolasta prayer 378.
*
Yawar is identified in ''Right Ginza'' 15.8 as "the first Gupna."
Yusmir, Šar, and Pirun are also mentioned in the first chapter of the ''Mandaean Book of John''.
''Right Ginza'' 17.1 mentions Šarat (literal meaning: 'she was firm') as a ''gupna''. Šarat-Niṭupta is mentioned in ''Mandaean Book of John'' 68, and Šahrat is mentioned in Qolasta prayer 188.
In Mandaeism, vines are used to symbolize believers, or 'those of the true faith'.
See also
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Angels in Judaism
In Judaism, angels ( he, ''mal’āḵ'', plural: ''mal’āḵīm'', literally "messenger") are supernatural beings that appear throughout the Tanakh (Hebrew Bible), rabbinic literature, Jewish apocrypha, apocrypha and List of Old Testament p ...
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Angels in Islam
In Islam, angels ( ar, , malāk; plural: ar, , malāʾik/malāʾikah, label=none) are believed to be heavenly beings, created from a luminous origin by God. They have different roles, including their praise of God, interacting with humans in ordi ...
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Jinn
Jinn ( ar, , ') – also Romanization of Arabic, romanized as djinn or Anglicization, anglicized as genies (with the broader meaning of spirit or demon, depending on sources)
– are Invisibility, invisible creatures in early Arabian mytho ...
in Islam
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Christian angelology
In Christianity, angels are the agents of God. Various works of Christian theology have devised hierarchies of angelic beings. The most influential Christian angelic hierarchy was put forward around the turn of the 6th century AD by Pseudo-Di ...
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Mandaean cosmology
Mandaean cosmology is the Gnostic conception of the universe in the religion of Mandaeism.
Mandaean cosmology is strongly influenced by Jewish, Babylonian, Persian, Egyptian, Greek, Manichaean and other Near Eastern religions and philosophies.
E ...
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Yazata
Yazata ( ae, 𐬫𐬀𐬰𐬀𐬙𐬀) is the Avestan word for a Zoroastrian concept with a wide range of meanings but generally signifying (or used as an epithet of) a divinity. The term literally means "worthy of worship or veneration",.. and i ...
in Zoroastrianism
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Sukkal
Sukkal (conventionally translated from Sumerian as "vizier") was a term which could denote both a type of official and a class of deities in ancient Mesopotamia. The historical sukkals were responsible for overseeing the execution of various comm ...
in Mesopotamian mythology
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Kami
are the deities, divinities, spirits, phenomena or "holy powers", that are venerated in the Shinto religion. They can be elements of the landscape, forces of nature, or beings and the qualities that these beings express; they can also be the sp ...
in Shinto religion
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Asiet Malkia
The ''Asiet Malkia'' ("Salutation of Kings") is one of the most commonly recited prayers in Mandaeism. In the prayer, the reciter wishes health and victory (''asuta u-zakuta'' ) upon dozens of heavenly and ancestral figures. According to E. S. Dr ...
''
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Ziwa (Aramaic)
Ziwa is an Aramaic term that is typically translated as 'radiance' or 'splendor.' It is frequently used as an epithet for celestial beings and manifestations of God in Gnosticism, Gnostic religions such as Mandaeism and Manichaeism.
The Hebrew cog ...
References
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Mandaeism
Angels
Middle Eastern legendary creatures
Mandaic words and phrases
Classes of angels