Skandola

Theskandola(alsosakin dolaorsakin ḏ-ula,^[1]literally "dwelling of evil" inMandaic) is a ritualtalismanic sealused byMandaeansto protect against evil.^[2]^: 37

Description[edit]

The skandola is an iron ring with a chain attached to an iron knife. It is used as a sacredtalismanicseal. It is used to seal graves and also newborn babies on their navels. Duringwedding ceremonies,a priest gives the skandola to the bridegroom. There are incised depictions of the following animals:^[2]

Lion, representingKrun
Scorpion, representingHag
Black snake orserpent,representingUr
Wasp or hornet

E. S. Drowernotes parallels withMithraic bas-reliefs,Yazidism,Iranian artistic symbols,and others. AMandaean priesttold Drower that the skandola was originally brought byHibil Ziwafrom theWorld of Darknessas he was takingRuhaalong with him (a narrative found in Book 5, Chapter 1 of theRight Ginza^[3]).^[2]

References[edit]

^Gelbert, Carlos (2023).The Key to All the Mysteries of Ginza Rba.Sydney: Living Water Books. p. 612.ISBN 9780648795414.
^^a ^b ^cDrower, Ethel Stefana (1937).The Mandaeans of Iraq and Iran.Oxford At The Clarendon Press.
^Gelbert, Carlos (2011).Ginza Rba.Sydney: Living Water Books.ISBN 9780958034630.

[Key_Gelbert-1] Gelbert, Carlos (2023).The Key to All the Mysteries of Ginza Rba.Sydney: Living Water Books. p. 612.ISBN 9780648795414.

[auto2-2] Drower, Ethel Stefana (1937).The Mandaeans of Iraq and Iran.Oxford At The Clarendon Press.

[GR_Gelbert-3] Gelbert, Carlos (2011).Ginza Rba.Sydney: Living Water Books.ISBN 9780958034630.

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