Demons in Mandaeism
In Mandaeism, the World of Darkness is full of demons, dewis, and evil spirits. The Right Ginza and the Ginza Rabba name many of these beings. At the center are Ur and Ruha, with their entourage of seven planets and twelve constellations. Other demons are mentioned in Book 18 of the Right Ginza and in the Ginza Rabba, and some appear in the Diwan Abatur, often accompanying Ur and Shdum.
In the Right Ginza’s Book of the Underworld (Book 5, Chapter 1), Hibil Ziwa travels through the worlds of kings and giants of darkness in a specific order. In Book 15, Chapter 11, the pillars of Jerusalem are named, and some of these names are linked to beings in the World of Darkness, such as Karkum and Adunai (another name for Šamiš or the Sun).
The Mandaeans also speak of the Five Lords of the World of Darkness. The paired demons rule together as single lords, with Mag and Gapan as female consorts who are always with their male partners Hag and Gap. Krun, Hag, and Ur are shown on the skandola, a ritual seal used to ward off evil.
This page was last edited on 3 February 2026, at 16:52 (CET).