 AMandaean novice oršualiaࡔࡅࡀࡋࡉࡀ holding amargna in Baghdad, Iraq in 2008 | |
| Type | staff |
|---|---|
| Material | wood (typicallyolive) |
| Place of origin | southernIraq and southwesternIran |
Themargna (Classical Mandaic:ࡌࡀࡓࡂࡍࡀ,Modern Mandaic pronunciation:[ˈmɑrgənæ]) is a ritual olive woodenstaff carried byMandaean priests. A Mandaean priest always carries his margna during baptismal (masbuta) rituals.[1]
According to theRight Ginza, themargna (staff) ofLiving Water (Mia Hayya) is one of the weapons ofManda d-Hayyi.[2]
The Mandaic wordmargna is of Iranian origin.[3]
During priestly rituals, aklila (myrtle wreath) is placed on the margna.[1] In theQulasta,Prayer 79 is a prayer for theklila placed on the margna.[4]
Prayer 14 in theQulasta is dedicated to the margna.[4] The prayer describes the margna as being covered in radiance (ziwa) and light (nhura).[1]
