Yardna (original) (raw)

In Mandaeism, a yardna (Classical Mandaic: ࡉࡀࡓࡃࡍࡀ, lit. 'Jordan') or yardena ([jardəna]; Arabic: یردنا) is a body of flowing fresh water (or in Classical Mandaic: ࡌࡉࡀ ࡄࡉࡉࡀ, romanized: mia hiia, lit. 'living water'; pronounced mia h(a)yya) that is suitable for ritual use as baptismal water. The masbuta and other Mandaean rituals such as the tamasha can only be performed in a yardna. Stagnant fresh water, brackish water, and seawater are not considered to be yardnas.