Yardna

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Mandaean masbuta in the Karun River, Ahvaz, Iran
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For the Israeli settlement, see Yardena.

In Mandaeism, a yardna (Classical Mandaic: ࡉࡀࡓࡃࡍࡀ, lit. 'Jordan') or yardena ([jardəna]; Arabic: یردنا) is a body of flowing fresh water (or in Classical Mandaic: ࡌࡉࡀ ࡄࡉࡉࡀ, romanized: mia hiia, lit. 'living water'; pronounced mia h(a)yya) that is suitable for ritual use as baptismal water.[1] The masbuta and other Mandaean rituals such as the tamasha can only be performed in a yardna. Stagnant fresh water, brackish water, and seawater are not considered to be yardnas.[2]

Examples of yardnas[]

Although etymologically related to the Hebrew word yarden (ירדן), or the Jordan River, a yardna in Mandaeism can refer to any flowing river.[3] Traditionally, these were typically the Euphrates, Tigris, and Karun rivers. The Euphrates is called Praš Ziwa (ࡐࡓࡀࡔ ࡆࡉࡅࡀ; pronounced Fraš Ziwa) in the Ginza Rabba.[4] In Mandaean scriptures, the Euphrates is considered to be the earthly manifestation of the heavenly yardna or flowing river (similar to the Yazidi concept of Lalish being the earthly manifestation of its heavenly counterpart).[5]

In Worcester, Massachusetts, United States, Lake Quinsigamond (the source of the Quinsigamond River) is used as a yardna for baptism.[6] In San Antonio and Austin, Texas, the Guadalupe River is the main yardna used.[7]

In Australia, the Nepean River is the yardna that is most commonly used by Mandaeans.[8] In Sweden, particularly during the winter, indoor swimming pools with flowing water are used as ritual yardnas in mandis.[9]

Heavenly counterpart[]

Main article: Piriawis

Piriawis is the heavenly counterpart of all yardnas on earth, as they are considered by Mandaeans to be manifestations of the heavenly Piriawis.[4][3]

Sacramental water[]

Further information: mambuha and halalta

Sacramental water used for Mandaean rituals, namely mambuha ("drinking water") and halalta ("rinsing water"), are drawn directly from a yardna.[3]

See also[]

References[]

  1. ^ The Gnostic Bible (2003) (p. 810). New Seeds Books
  2. ^ Gelbert, Carlos (2005). The Mandaeans and the Jews. Edensor Park, NSW: Living Water Books. ISBN 0-9580346-2-1. OCLC 68208613.
  3. ^ a b c Buckley, Jorunn Jacobsen (2002). The Mandaeans: ancient texts and modern people. New York: Oxford University Press. ISBN 0-19-515385-5. OCLC 65198443.
  4. ^ a b Gelbert, Carlos (2011). Ginza Rba. Sydney: Living Water Books. ISBN 9780958034630.
  5. ^ Nasoraia, Brikha H.S. (2021). The Mandaean gnostic religion: worship practice and deep thought. New Delhi: Sterling. ISBN 978-81-950824-1-4. OCLC 1272858968.
  6. ^ "Worcester branch of Mandaean faith works to plant roots". 2014-12-12. Retrieved 2022-01-27.
  7. ^ Busch, Matthew; Ross, Robyn (18 February 2020). "Against The Current". Texas Observer. Retrieved 8 November 2021.
  8. ^ Smith, David Maurice (2015-07-30). "An Ancient Baptism in Sydney". Roads & Kingdoms. Retrieved 2021-10-30.
  9. ^ Sedrati, Anass (2018). "Mandaeism - A religion between Sweden and the Middle East". Stockholm: KTH Royal Institute of Technology.
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