Yawar Ziwa

Yawar Ziwa
Yawar Ziwa
Light
Other names	Yawar
Abode	World of Light
Consort	Simat Hayyi

In Mandaeism, Yawar Ziwa (Classical Mandaic: ࡉࡀࡅࡀࡓ ࡆࡉࡅࡀ, lit. 'dazzling radiance', Modern Mandaic pronunciation: [ˈjawar ˈziwa]; also known as Yawar Kasia ࡉࡀࡅࡀࡓ ࡊࡀࡎࡉࡀ "Hidden Yawar", Modern Mandaic pronunciation: [ˈjawar ˈkæsjæ]; or Yawar Rabba ࡉࡀࡅࡀࡓ ࡓࡁࡀ "Great Yawar", Modern Mandaic pronunciation: [ˈjawar ˈrɑbbɑ]) is an uthra (angel or guardian) from the World of Light. He is the personification of light,[1][2] as well as the head of reproductive powers.[3]

Simat Hayyi, the personification of life, is married to Yawar Ziwa.[4]

Etymology

E. S. Drower translates Yawar Ziwa as "Dazzling Radiance",[5][6] although Mark Lidzbarski translates Yawar as "helper."

In the Ginza Rabba

Book 14 of the Right Ginza mentions Yawar as one of the first uthras to have been created, along with Yushamin.[7]

Yawar is identified in Right Ginza 15.8 as "the first Gupna."[7]

In other Mandaean texts

In Dmut Kušṭa (MS Asiatic. Misc. C. 12), Yawar Ziwa is the name of one of the heavenly trees.[3]

As an epithet

Yawar Ziwa is also an epithet for several figures in Mandaean scripture, including:[citation needed]

Šum Yawar Ziwa

The Šum Yawar Ziwa (ࡎࡅࡌ ࡉࡀࡅࡀࡓ ࡆࡉࡅࡀ) is a sacred gold ring worn by Mandaean priests.[3]

References

^ Aldihisi, Sabah (2008). The story of creation in the Mandaean holy book in the Ginza Rba (PhD). University College London.
^ Al-Saadi, Qais Mughashghash; Al-Saadi, Hamed Mughashghash (2019). "Glossary". Ginza Rabba: The Great Treasure. An equivalent translation of the Mandaean Holy Book (2 ed.). Drabsha.
^ a b c van Rompaey, Sandra (2024). Mandaean Symbolic Art. Turnhout: Brepols. ISBN 978-2-503-59365-4.
^ Buckley, Jorunn Jacobsen (2002). The Mandaeans: ancient texts and modern people. New York: Oxford University Press. ISBN 0-19-515385-5. OCLC 65198443.
^ Drower, Ethel Stefana. 1937. The Mandaeans of Iraq and Iran. Oxford At The Clarendon Press.
^ Drower, E. S. 1960. The Secret Adam: A Study of Nasoraean Gnosis. Oxford: Clarendon Press.
^ a b Gelbert, Carlos (2011). Ginza Rba. Sydney: Living Water Books. ISBN 9780958034630.

[Aldihisi_2008-1] Aldihisi, Sabah (2008). The story of creation in the Mandaean holy book in the Ginza Rba (PhD). University College London.

[GR_Saadi-2] Al-Saadi, Qais Mughashghash; Al-Saadi, Hamed Mughashghash (2019). "Glossary". Ginza Rabba: The Great Treasure. An equivalent translation of the Mandaean Holy Book (2 ed.). Drabsha.

[SymbolicArt-3] van Rompaey, Sandra (2024). Mandaean Symbolic Art. Turnhout: Brepols. ISBN 978-2-503-59365-4.

[Buckley_2002-4] Buckley, Jorunn Jacobsen (2002). The Mandaeans: ancient texts and modern people. New York: Oxford University Press. ISBN 0-19-515385-5. OCLC 65198443.

[5] Drower, Ethel Stefana. 1937. The Mandaeans of Iraq and Iran. Oxford At The Clarendon Press.

[Secret_Adam-6] Drower, E. S. 1960. The Secret Adam: A Study of Nasoraean Gnosis. Oxford: Clarendon Press.

[GR_Gelbert-7] Gelbert, Carlos (2011). Ginza Rba. Sydney: Living Water Books. ISBN 9780958034630.