Editing Mandaeism

{| class="wikitable" style="float:right; margin:0 0 1em 1em; width:320px;"
! colspan="2" | Mandaeism
|-
! Family
| Gnostic / Abrahamic-adjacent
|-
! Origin region
| Lower Mesopotamia and the region of present-day Iraq and Iran
|-
! Founding period
| Late antiquity; living community to the present
|-
! Estimated adherents
| A small ethno-religious community, with diaspora populations after modern displacement.
|}

'''Mandaeism''' is mandaeism is a living Gnostic religious tradition centered on knowledge, ritual purity, baptism, and reverence for John the Baptist as an important prophetic figure.

== Overview ==

Mandaeism developed in the late antique Near East and survives as a small ethno-religious tradition. Mandaeans preserve distinctive scriptures, priesthood, ritual language, baptismal rites, cosmology, and communal identity. Their repeated baptismal rituals use flowing water and are central to religious life.

== Key beliefs ==

* A transcendent World of Light contrasted with the material world
* Salvation through knowledge, ritual purity, and proper rites
* John the Baptist as an honored figure, while Jesus is interpreted differently than in Christianity
* Angelic or celestial beings connected with light, soul, and cosmic order
* Strong emphasis on priestly transmission and communal continuity

== Practices ==

* Masbuta, repeated baptism in living water
* Ritual meals and priestly ceremonies
* Purity observances
* Marriage and death rites
* Recitation of Mandaic liturgy

== Places of worship ==

* Mandi or manda, a Mandaean ritual house
* River or flowing water used for baptism
* Community ritual space

== Sacred texts ==

* Ginza Rabba
* Mandaean Book of John
* Qolasta
* Priestly ritual texts

== Holidays and observances ==

* Parwanaya
* Dehwa Rabba
* Dehwa Hanina
* Other community observances

== Branches and related traditions ==

* [[Gnosticism]] - A broad category of ancient movements emphasizing salvific knowledge.
* [[Abrahamic religions]] - Mandaeism is often discussed near Abrahamic traditions while maintaining a distinct identity.

== See also ==

* [[Religion]]
* [[Theology]]
* [[Philosophy of religion]]
* [[New Religious Movements]]
* [[Indigenous and Traditional Religions]]

[[Category:Religions]]
[[Category:Gnostic religions]]
[[Category:Near Eastern religions]]