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 ...
, ʿZlat ( myz, ࡏࡆࡋࡀࡕ, lit=she wove/she span), also Ezlat, Īzlat, or ʿZlat Rabtia ('ʿZlat the Great'), is the wife or female consort of
Shishlam
In Mandaean scriptures, Shishlam ( myz, ࡔࡉࡔࡋࡀࡌ; often transcribed Šišlam) is a figure representing the prototypical priest or prototypical Mandaean. He is also frequently referred to in Mandaean texts as Šišlam Rabba ( myz, ࡔ ...
, a figure representing the
prototypical
A prototype is an early sample, model, or release of a product built to test a concept or process. It is a term used in a variety of contexts, including semantics, design, electronics, and Software prototyping, software programming. A prototyp ...
priest
A priest is a religious leader authorized to perform the sacred rituals of a religion, especially as a mediatory agent between humans and one or more deities. They also have the authority or power to administer religious rites; in particu ...
or prototypical
Mandaean
Mandaeans ( ar, المندائيون ), also known as Mandaean Sabians ( ) or simply as Sabians ( ), are an ethnoreligious group who are followers of Mandaeism. They believe that John the Baptist was the final and most important prophet. They ...
. Hence, Zlat symbolizes the prototypical Mandaean priestly wife as the archetype of the pure bride.
She is described in the Mandaean priestly text ''
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 ...
'' as the "Wellspring of Light."
Zlat is also 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 17,
105, 106, 171, and 173 (the ''Šumhata'').
See also
*
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 ...
References
Mythological archetypes
Personifications in Mandaeism
Women and religion
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