- Source: Anana (Mandaeism)
In Mandaeism, an anana (Classical Mandaic: ࡀࡍࡀࡍࡀ, lit. 'cloud') is a heavenly cloud in the World of Light that is considered to be the dwelling place of uthras. An anana can also be interpreted as a female consort.
The Mandaic term anana was also frequently used to refer to women in the Mandaean community.
Names of ananas
Right Ginza Book 17, Chapter 1 lists the names of several ananas and their uthras, many of which are gufnas (personified grapevines).: 455–456
In Right Ginza Book 3, Adakas Ziwa is paired with Anana ḏ-Nhura ("cloud of light").: 135
In the Asut Malkia, Bihrat Anana is mentioned as the name of an anana.
Niṭufta
Niṭufta is a similar concept in Mandaeism. In Qulasta prayers such as the Asut Malkia, the word niṭufta (spelled niṭupta ࡍࡉࡈࡅࡐࡕࡀ), which originally means 'drop' and has sometimes also been translated as 'cloud', is also often used as an appellation to refer to the consorts of uthras. It can also be interpreted as the semen or seed of the Father (Hayyi Rabbi), or a personified drop of "water of life".: 13 The Asut Malkia mentions Šarat and Kanat as names of individual niṭuftas.
Similarly, the Apocalypse of Adam (one of the Nag Hammadi texts) mentions droplets and clouds from heaven.
See also
Shkinta
Gufna
Uthra
