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Rasta (Mandaeism)
A rasta () is a white ceremonial garment that Mandaeans wear during most baptismal rites, religious ceremonies, and during periods of uncleanliness. It signifies the purity of the World of Light. The rasta is worn equally by the laypersons and the priests. If a Mandaean dies in clothes other than a rasta, it is believed that they will not reenter the World of Light, unless the rite "Ahaba ḏ-Mania" ('Giving of Garments') can be performed "for those who have died not wearing the ritual garment." A rasta also has a stitched-on pocket called the ''daša''. Women also wear a robe (''ʿabā'') over the ''rasta'' during masbuta. Traditionally, a new rasta is worn for Dehwa Daimana (''Dihba ḏ-Iamana'' ࡃࡉࡄࡁࡀ ࡖࡉࡀࡌࡀࡍࡀ). Symbolism The rasta is expected to be transmuted after death into a "garment of glory" for the soul (Qulasta prayer 76: "the Perfecter of Souls ... will come out toward you and clothe your soul in a garment of radiance") – this is equivale ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Mandaeans 03
Mandaeans (Mandaic language, Mandaic: ࡌࡀࡍࡃࡀࡉࡉࡀ) ( ), 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 may have been among the earliest religious groups to practice baptism, as well as among the earliest adherents of Gnosticism, a belief system of which they are the last surviving representatives today. The Mandaeans were originally native speakers of Mandaic language, Mandaic, an Eastern Aramaic languages, Eastern Aramaic language, before they nearly all switched to Mesopotamian Arabic or Persian language, Persian as their main language. After 2003 invasion of Iraq, the invasion of Iraq by the United States and Multi-National Force – Iraq, its allies in 2003, the Mandaean community of Iraq, which before the war numbered 60,000–70,000 persons, collapsed with most of the community relocating to Iran, Syria ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Taga (Mandaeism)
In Mandaeism, the taga (; sometimes also spelled taqa ) is a white crown traditionally made of silk that is used during Mandaean religious rituals. The ''taga'' is a white crown which always takes on masculine symbolism, while the klila (myrtle wreath) is a feminine symbol that complements the taga. Use in rituals Along with the ''klila'', the ''taga'' is used during most Mandaean rituals, including masbuta, masiqta, and priest initiation rituals.Drower, Ethel Stefana (1937). ''The Mandaeans of Iraq and Iran''. Oxford at the Clarendon Press. When praying with the taga, Mandaean priests often hold the taga in front of the face repeatedly move it in a V shape back and forth, in a pendulum-like manner. In the ''Qulasta'' Several prayers in the ''Qulasta'' are recited when consecrating and putting on the ''taga''. See also * Radiate crown * Drabsha *Klila In Mandaeism, the klila () is a small Myrtus, myrtle () wreath or ring (translated as "circlet" by E. S. Drower) used dur ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Parwanaya
Parwanaya (; ) or Panja (Mandaic: , from Persian 'five') is a 5-day religious festival in the Mandaean calendar. The 5 epagomenals (extra days) inserted at the end of every Šumbulta (the 8th month) constitute the Parwanaya intercalary feast. The festival celebrates the five days that Hayyi Rabbi created the uthri and the universe. Origins The epagomenals in the Egyptian calendar were also considered to be sacred days in Ancient Egypt, as they were considered to be the birthdays of different gods. Today in the Coptic calendar, these five days are designated by the Coptic Orthodox Church as feast days for different saints.. Rituals The ''masbuta'' (baptism), ''Ṭabahata Masiqta'' (ascension of the soul ceremony for ancestors), and ''hawad mania'' rituals are held during the Parwanaya. [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Masiqta
The masiqta () is a mass or ritual practiced in the Mandaean religion in order to help guide the soul ('' nišimta'') towards the World of Light in Mandaean cosmology. They are typically performed as funerary rites for Mandaeans who have just died. Although usually translated as "death mass", a few types of ''masiqta'' are also performed for living people, such as when priests are ordained. Masiqtas are also used to consecrate houses of worship ('' bit manda''). Purpose The complex ritual involves guiding the soul through the '' maṭarta'', or toll houses located between the Earth ( Tibil) and the World of Light, which are guarded by various uthras and demons. A successful masiqta merges the incarnate soul ( ; roughly equivalent to the '' psyche'' or " ego" in Greek philosophy) and spirit ( ; roughly equivalent to the ''pneuma'' or "breath" in Greek philosophy) from the Earth ( Tibil) into a new merged entity in the World of Light called the ''ʿuṣṭuna''. The ''ʿuṣṭun ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Masbuta
Maṣbuta (; pronounced ''maṣwottā'' in Neo-Mandaic) is the ritual of immersion in water in the Mandaean religion. Overview Mandaeans revere John the Baptist and practice frequent baptism (''masbuta'') as ritual purification, not of initiation. They are possibly one of the earliest peoples to practice ritual baptism. Mandaeans undergo baptism on Sundays (''Habshaba'', ), wearing a white sacral robe ('' rasta''). Baptism for Mandaeans consists of a triple full immersion in water, a triple signing of the forehead with water (in which the priest puts his fingers on the baptized person's forehead and moves it from right to left), and a triple drinking of water. The priest (''rabbi'') then removes a ring made of myrtle (''klila'') worn by the baptized and places it on their forehead. This is then followed by a handclasp ('' kušṭa'', "hand of truth") with the priest, using right hands only. The final blessing involves the priest laying his right hand on the baptized person's he ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Mandaean Cosmology
Mandaean cosmology is the Gnostic conception of the universe in the religion of Mandaeism. Mandaean cosmology is strongly influenced by ancient near eastern cosmology broadly and Jewish, Babylonian, Persian, Greek, Manichaean and other Near Eastern religions and philosophies particularly. Emanations The three major Emanations or "Lives" (''Hayyi'') in Mandaeism are: #The Second Life: Yushamin, the primal uthra #The Third Life: Abatur, the weigher of souls, and also the father of the '' uthri'' (plural of ''uthra'') #The Fourth Life: Ptahil, the creator of the material world The Second Life, Third Life, and Fourth Life are emanations of the First Life, Hayyi Rabbi (the Supreme God). Realms Mandaean cosmology divides the universe into three realms: #World of Light or Lightworld (''alma ḏ-nhūra'') # Tibil, or Earth # World of Darkness or underworld (''alma ḏ-hšuka'') According to Book 3 of the '' Right Ginza'', a "fruit (''pira'') within the fruit" and "ether ('' ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Drabsha
The drabshaDrower, Ethel Stefana (1937). ''The Mandaeans of Iraq and Iran''. Oxford at the Clarendon Press. (; Modern Mandaic: ''drafšā'') or darfash () is the symbol of the Mandaean faith. It is typically translated as 'banner'. Etymology The Mandaic term ''drabša'' is derived from the Middle Persian word ''drafš'', which means 'banner or standard; a flash of light; sunrise'. In Mandaic, ''drabša'' can also mean 'a ray or beam of light'. An uncommon variant spelling is ''drapša'', which may have been the original spelling. Description and symbolism The drabša is a banner in the shape of a cross made of two branches of olive wood fastened together and half covered with a piece of white cloth traditionally made of pure silk, and seven branches of myrtle. The drabša white silk banner is not identified with the Christian cross. Instead, the four arms of the drabsha symbolize the four corners of the universe, while the pure silk cloth represents the Light of God (Hayyi Ra ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Himiana
The himiana (; modern Mandaic pronunciation: ''hemyanā'') is a sacred ritual girdle or belt used by the Mandaeans. Traditionally, it is white, tubular, and made of wool. Etymology ''Himiana'' is a Persian loanword, like burzinqa (turban) and margna (staff). Description Unlike the Zoroastrian kushti, which is made of 72 threads, the Mandaean himiana is made of 60 woolen threads. The himiana has a sewn end and an unsewn end. The sewn end, in the form of a loop, is called the ''arwa'' (ࡀࡓࡅࡀ). The unsewn end, resembling a tassel, is called the ''karkuša'' (ࡊࡀࡓࡊࡅࡔࡀ). See also *Kushti *Zunnar *Girdle *Zone (vestment) The zone ( ''zōnē'', from ζώννυμι ''zōnnȳmi'', "I gird") is a form of girdle or belt common in the ancient Eastern Mediterranean. In ancient Greece, the zone was traditionally worn by women. In ancient Greece Cultural significance ... References External linksTying the turban and the sacred belt(''The Worlds of Mandaean Pri ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Pandama
The pandama () is a mouth-veil worn by Mandaean priests while performing baptismal ceremonial rituals. It is the loose end of the burzinqa (turban) and is wrapped around the mouth and lower face. The pandama also protects the face from water during masbuta rituals. The pandama is worn only by officiating priests, not by Mandaean laymen. In the ''Qulasta'' Several prayers in the ''Qulasta'' are recited when putting on and loosening the pandama, including prayers 7 and 55. Symbolism According to Shahram Ebadfardzadeh, an Iranian-American ''yalufa'' (learned Mandaean layperson) in San Antonio, Texas, United States, "when the priest officiates, he is an angel, and his lower face must not be seen, but covered up." See also * * Litham, a similar veil covering the lower face worn by Tuareg men * Alasho Alasho is an indigenous Hausa long turban, worn across the head and neck. It is near identical in length, colour and dimensions to that of the Tuareg The Tuareg people (; also ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Burzinqa
The burzinqa () is a turban worn by Mandaean men during baptismal ceremonial rituals. It forms the upper end of a lengthy piece of cotton cloth. For priests who are performing rituals, the loose lower end, called the ''rugza'' (), can be used as a pandama or mouth-veil. Description The burzinqa consists of a long piece of cotton cloth that is wrapped three times around the head. The loose end is called the ''rugza'' (). It is made from a cloth that is 10 centimeters by 3 meters long, and can be cut lengthwise as needed. In the ''Qulasta'' Several prayers in the ''Qulasta The Qulasta, also spelled Qolastā in older sources (; ), is a compilation of Mandaean prayers. The Mandaic word ''qolastā'' means "collection". The prayerbook is a collection of Mandaic prayers regarding baptisms ('' maṣbuta'') and other sa ...'' are recited when putting on the burzinqa, including prayers 1, 3, and 5. See also * * Pandama References External linksTying the turban and the sac ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Baptismal Clothing
Baptismal clothing is apparel worn by Christianity, Christian proselytes (and in some cases, by clergy members also) during the ceremony of baptism. White clothes are generally worn because the person being baptized is "fresh like the driven manna". In certain Christian denominations, the individual being baptized receives a cross necklace that is worn for the rest of their life, inspired by the Third Council of Constantinople, Sixth Ecumenical Council (Synod) of Constantinople. Eastern Orthodoxy The Eastern Orthodox Church and the Eastern Catholic Churches of the Byzantine Rite, the baptismal garment is worn by the newly baptized for eight days, after which there is a special ceremony on the eighth day for the removal of the baptismal robe. For adults, the robe is a long, sleeved garment, similar to the Western alb, tied at the waist usually with a white cloth belt or rope. A woman may also cover her head with a white veil (usually a simple kerchief). For infant baptisms, the rob ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Pandama
The pandama () is a mouth-veil worn by Mandaean priests while performing baptismal ceremonial rituals. It is the loose end of the burzinqa (turban) and is wrapped around the mouth and lower face. The pandama also protects the face from water during masbuta rituals. The pandama is worn only by officiating priests, not by Mandaean laymen. In the ''Qulasta'' Several prayers in the ''Qulasta'' are recited when putting on and loosening the pandama, including prayers 7 and 55. Symbolism According to Shahram Ebadfardzadeh, an Iranian-American ''yalufa'' (learned Mandaean layperson) in San Antonio, Texas, United States, "when the priest officiates, he is an angel, and his lower face must not be seen, but covered up." See also * * Litham, a similar veil covering the lower face worn by Tuareg men * Alasho Alasho is an indigenous Hausa long turban, worn across the head and neck. It is near identical in length, colour and dimensions to that of the Tuareg The Tuareg people (; also ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
