Ziwa (also transliterated asziua) is anAramaic term that is typically translated as 'radiance' or 'splendor.' It is frequently used as anepithet for celestial beings and manifestations of God inGnostic religions such asMandaeism andManichaeism.
The Hebrewcognate isziv (זיו).[1]
Ziwa written in different scripts:
InMandaeism,uthras (celestial beings) often have theMandaic termZiwa /Ziua (Classical Mandaic:ࡆࡉࡅࡀ, meaning 'Radiance';Neo-Mandaic pronunciation[ˈziː.wɔ][2]) attached after their names, due to their origins from theWorld of Light.[3][4]
Pairs of uthras also typically have rhyming names (e.g.,Adathan and Yadathan). Sometimes, one of the names within a pair may have an infixed consonant or syllable (e.g., Kapan and Kanpan).
Uthras commonly referred to as "Ziwa" include:[5]
Other uthras that are also referred to as "Ziwa" include:[5][6]
Adam Kasia (the "hidden Adam") is also referred to asAdakas Ziwa in theGinza Rabba. One of the epithets of Adam Kasia isS'haq Ziwa.[5]
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InManichaeism, theSyriac termZiwa (Syriac:ܙܝܘܐ) is also used to refer toJesus asIshoʻ Ziwā (Syriac:ܝܫܘܥ ܙܝܘܐ,Jesus the Splendor), who is sent to awaken Adam and Eve to the source of the spiritual light trapped within their physical bodies. In Chinese Manichaean sources,Ziwa is typically translated as明 (pinyin: míng).
Ṣfat Ziwā, orThe Keeper of the Splendor (Syriac:ܨܦܬ ܙܝܘܐ;Latin:Splenditenens;Chinese:催光明使;lit. 'Urger of Enlightenment'), who holds up the ten heavens from above, is one of the five sons ofThe Living Spirit (Syriac:ܪܘܚܐ ܚܝܐruḥā ḥayyā) in the second creation.
In Manichaeism, pairs of celestial beings can also have rhyming names, such asXroshtag and Padvaxtag.
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Notes: † mainly a Tengrist text but recorded in a Manichaean monastery | ||
