Shamish | |
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Member of the Seven Planets | |
Affiliation | Yawar Ziwa, Simat Hayyi, Yurba |
Abode | World of Darkness |
Planet | Sun |
Parents | Ruha and Ur |
Equivalents | |
Akkadian | Shamash (Utu) |
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In Mandaeism, Shamish or Šamiš (Classical Mandaic: ࡔࡀࡌࡉࡔ) is the Mandaic name for the Sun.[1] Shamish is one of the seven classical planets (Classical Mandaic: ࡔࡅࡁࡀ, romanized: šuba, lit. 'The Seven'), who are part of the entourage of Ruha in the World of Darkness.[2][3]
Shamish's name is derived from š-m-š, the Semitic root for 'sun'. Shamish is also cognate with the Akkadian Šamaš.[4]
Shamish is associated with the uthras Yawar-Ziwa (Dazzling Light) and Simat-Hiia (Treasure of Life). He is also identified with the uthra Yurba, who is described in detail in chapter 52 of the Mandaean Book of John.[5]
In the Right Ginza, the Yazuqaeans (i.e., Zoroastrians) are associated with Shamish, an allusion to Mithra.[6]
According to Iraqi-American poet Lamia Abbas Amara, "[Mandaean] priests have long beards and never cut their hair because they wish to look like Šamiš, the sun. Power resides in hair, like the sun’s rays."[7]: 33
Shamish is also associated with the false deity Adunai (derived from Hebrew Adonai).[4] As a result, Mandaean scriptures contain exhortations for Mandaeans not to worship Shamish.