InMandaeism, ananana (Classical Mandaic:ࡀࡍࡀࡍࡀ,lit. 'cloud') is a heavenly cloud in theWorld of Light that is considered to be the dwelling place ofuthras.[1] An anana can also be interpreted as a female consort.[2]
The Mandaic termanana was also frequently used to refer to women in the Mandaean community.[3]
Right Ginza Book 17, Chapter 1 lists the names of several ananas and their uthras, many of which aregufnas (personifiedgrapevines).[2]: 455–456
| Anana(s) | Uthra(s) | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Nhur-Hiia-Anana | Mara ḏ-Rabuta | lit. 'Cloud of the Light of Life"' |
| Kimṣat-Anana | littlePirun | lit. 'Kimṣat Cloud' |
| Ptula ("the Virgin") | Hibil | |
| Šahrat-ʿbdat-u-Kišrat | Great MightyMana and Niṭufta | |
| Yasmus | Šarat, the great hidden first gupna | |
| Sidar-Kasia | Yura | lit. 'Hidden Sidar' |
| Tatagmur | first-born son ofYušamin | |
| Pihtat-u-Nihrat-u-Nipqat-mn-gu-mia (two clouds) | Nṣab and Anan-Nṣab | lit. 'Pihtat and Nihrat and Nipqat between the waters' |
| Barat and Ethrauribat | Sar and Sarwan | |
| Nhar and Khar | Šilmai andNidbai |
InRight Ginza Book 3,Adakas Ziwa is paired with Anana ḏ-Nhura ("cloud of light").[2]: 135
In theAsut Malkia, Bihrat Anana is mentioned as the name of an anana.[4][5]
Niṭufta is a similar concept in Mandaeism. InQulasta prayers such as theAsut Malkia, the wordniṭufta (spelledniṭuptaࡍࡉࡈࡅࡐࡕࡀ), which originally means 'drop' and has sometimes also been translated as 'cloud', is also often used as an appellation to refer to the consorts of uthras.[6] It can also be interpreted as the semen or seed of the Father (Hayyi Rabbi), or a personified drop of "water of life".[7]: 13 TheAsut Malkia mentions Šarat and Kanat as names of individualniṭuftas.[8]
Similarly, theApocalypse of Adam (one of theNag Hammadi texts) mentions droplets and clouds from heaven.[9]
