| Shishlam | |
|---|---|
Prototypical Mandaean priest | |
| Other names | Shishlam Rabba (Šišlam Rba) |
| Texts |
|
| Ethnic group | Mandaeans |
| Festivals | Feast of the Great Shishlam |
| Consort | Ezlat |
InMandaeism, Shishlam (Classical Mandaic: ࡔࡉࡔࡋࡀࡌ, romanized: Šišlam, lit. 'consummate perfection';[1]) is a figure representing the prototypical Mandaean priestorMandaean. He is also frequently referred to in Mandaean textsasŠišlam Rabba (Classical Mandaic: ࡔࡉࡔࡋࡀࡌ ࡓࡁࡀ, romanized: Šišlam Rba, lit. 'Great Shishlam'.[2] Shishlam is sometimes identified with Adam Kasia, the "Perfect Man".[3]
In Mandaean texts, Shishlam communicates with uthras from the World of Light and partakes in rituals to re-establish laufa (spiritual connection) with the World of Light.[2] Hence, Shishlam is essentially a literary personification or representation of the Mandaean who is participating in the ritual that the text is being used for.
The Wedding of the Great Shishlam, a ritual text used during Mandaean wedding ceremonies, is named after Shishlam.[4][5]
As the priestly prototype or archetype, Shishlam features prominently in several Mandaean priestly esoteric texts used during tarmida and ganzibra initiation ceremonies. These texts include:
Shishlam's festival is the Feast of the Great Shishlam, celebrated annually by Mandaeans on the sixth and seventh days of the first month.[13]
