Ziwa (Aramaic)
Part of a series on |
Mandaeism |
---|
![]() |
Religion portal |
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 Gnostic religions such as Mandaeism and Manichaeism.
The Hebrew cognate is ziv (זיו).[1]
Scripts[]
Ziwa written in different scripts:
- Hebrew script: זיוא
- Mandaic script: ࡆࡉࡅࡀ
- Syriac script: ܙܝܘܐ
- Arabic script: زیوا
Mandaeism[]
In Mandaeism, uthras (celestial beings) often have the Mandaic term Ziwa / Ziua (Classical Mandaic: ࡆࡉࡅࡀ, meaning 'Radiance') attached after their names, due to their origins from the World of Light.[2][3]
Pairs of uthras also typically have rhyming names. The names can be alliterative (e.g., Adathan and Yadathan), or one name may have an infixed consonant or syllable (e.g., Kapan and Kanpan).
Uthras commonly referred to as "Ziwa" include:[4]
- Hibil Ziwa
- Sam Ziwa (or Sam Smira Ziwa)
- Yawar Ziwa
- Qmamir Ziwa (an epithet of Saureil)
Other uthras that are also referred to as "Ziwa" include:[4][5]
- Bhaq Ziwa (an epithet of Abatur)
- Ham Ziwa and Nhur Ziwa
- Nbaṭ Ziwa
- Nṣab Ziwa
- Piriawis Ziwa
- Fraš Ziwa
- Zarzeil Ziwa
- Hamgai Ziwa, son of Hamgagai Ziwa
- Karkawan Ziwa
- S'haq Ziwa
- Šar Ziwa
Manichaeism[]
In Manichaeism, the Syriac term Ziwa (Syriac: ܙܝܘܐ) is also used to refer to Jesus as Ishoʻ Ziwā (Syriac: ܝܫܘܥ ܙܝܘܐ, Jesus the Splendor), who is sent to awaken Adam and Eve to the source of the spiritual light trapped within their physical bodies.
Ṣfat Ziwā, or The Keeper of the Splendor (Syriac: ܨܦܬ ܙܝܘܐ; Latin: Splenditenens; Chinese: 催光明使; lit. 'Urger of Enlightenment'), who holds up the ten heavens from above, is one of the five sons of The Living Spirit (Syriac: ܪܘܚܐ ܚܝܐ ruḥā ḥayyā) in the second creation.
In Manichaeism, pairs of celestial beings can also have rhyming names, such as Xroshtag and Padvaxtag.
See also[]
- World of Light
- Nūr (Islam)
- Ohr in Jewish mysticism
References[]
- ^ Gelbert, Carlos (2005). The Mandaeans and the Jews. Edensor Park, NSW: Living Water Books. ISBN 0-9580346-2-1. OCLC 68208613.
- ^ Buckley, Jorunn Jacobsen (2002). The Mandaeans: ancient texts and modern people. New York: Oxford University Press. ISBN 0-19-515385-5. OCLC 65198443.
- ^ Aldihisi, Sabah (2008). The story of creation in the Mandaean holy book in the Ginza Rba (PhD). University College London.
- ^ a b Gelbert, Carlos (2011). Ginza Rba. Sydney: Living Water Books. ISBN 9780958034630.
- ^ Drower, E. S. (1959). Canonical Prayerbook of the Mandaeans. Leiden: E.J. Brill.
- Light and religion
- Aramaic words and phrases
- Mandaic words and phrases
- Uthras
- Manichaeism