| Ur | |
|---|---|
| Other names | Leviathan, Bar-Spag |
| Abode | World of Darkness |
| Symbol | Serpent or snake (in theskandola) |
| Parents | Ruha andGaf |
| Equivalents | |
| Judaism | Leviathan |
InMandaeism,ʿUr (Classical Mandaic:ࡏࡅࡓ) is the king (Classical Mandaic:ࡌࡀࡋࡊࡀ,romanized: malka) of theWorld of Darkness (alma ḏ-hšuka) orunderworld. He is the son ofRuha, the queen of the underworld,[1] and her brotherGaf (also spelled Gap), one of the giants in the World of Darkness described in book 5 of theGinza Rabba. Ur is typically portrayed as a large, ferocious dragon or snake.[2] He is represented by the image of a serpent on theskandola talisman.[3]: 37
TheMandaean Book of John contrasts Ur, the King of Darkness, with the King of Light (Hayyi Rabbi).[4]
Ur has also been referred in Mandaean texts asLeviathan (Classical Mandaic:ࡋࡉࡅࡉࡀࡕࡀࡍ,romanized: liuiatan; fromRight Ginza 15.1). According to theRight Ginza 5.1, his mother Ruha called him "the Great Giant, the Power of Darkness" (gabara rba, haila ḏ-hšuka).[5]
Ur'sepithets include Bar-Spag (Classical Mandaic:ࡁࡓ ࡎࡐࡀࡂ,lit. 'Son of Spag') and other names.[5]
Aldihisi (2008) compares Ur toTiamat in Babylonian mythology andSamael in Gnostic literature.[2]
