Skandola

Part of a series on
Mandaeism
Prophets Adam Seth Noah Shem John the Baptist
Names for adherents Mandaeans Sabians Nasoraeans Gnostics
Scriptures Ginza Rabba Right Ginza Left Ginza Mandaean Book of John Qulasta (list) Haran Gawaita The Wedding of the Great Shishlam The Baptism of Hibil Ziwa Diwan Abatur The Thousand and Twelve Questions Scroll of Exalted Kingship The Coronation of the Great Shishlam Alma Rišaia Rba Alma Rišaia Zuṭa Zihrun Raza Kasia Scroll of the Parwanaya Book of the Zodiac Dmut Kušṭa Scroll of the Rivers Secrets of the Ancestors Scroll of the Ancestors
Priests Rishama Ganzibra Tarmida Shganda
Individual leaders Miriai Shlama beth Qidra Zazai of Gawazta Anush Bar Danqa Yahya Bihram Dakhil Aidan Jabbar Choheili Sattar Jabbar Hilow Najah Choheili Salah Choheili Brikha Nasoraia
Rituals Masbuta Masiqta Tamasha Rishama Kushta Qabin Misha
Ritual food and drink Mambuha Halalta Hamra Pihta Fatira Zidqa brikha Lofani Sa Dukrana
Practices Belief in Oneness of God Daily prayer Baptism Fasting Almsgiving
Objects and symbols Drabsha Rasta Burzinqa Pandama Klila Taga Riha Skandola
Cosmology Hayyi Rabbi World of Light Mana Manda Uthra Manda d-Hayyi Yushamin Abatur Ptahil Hibil Shitil Anush Sam Ziwa Bihram Rabba Adathan Yadathan Shilmai Nidbai Yawar Ziwa Simat Hayyi Yufin-Yufafin Nsab Nbat Gubran Shihlun Urfeil Marfeil Saureil Zihrun Etinsib Ziwa Piriawis Tarwan Yura Yurba Yukashar Ziwa Shahrat Malwasha Nishimta Dinanukht Shishlam Ezlat škina Dmuta Mshunia Kushta Adam kasia Adam pagria Shatrin Laufa Hitfun Tibil World of Darkness Sea of Suf Siniawis Matarta Ruha Ur Krun Gaf Qin Zahreil Anathan Giu Shdum Zartai-Zartanai Hag Mag
Festivals Parwanaya Dehwa Rabba Dehwa d-Shishlam Rabba Dehwa Daimana Dehwa Hanina Abu al-Haris (Ashoriya) Ead Fel
Places Yardena Beth Manda Shkinta Andiruna
Prayers Sidra d-Nishmata Asut Malkia Rushuma Rahma Tabahatan Shumhata Bshuma
Religion portal
v t e

The skandola (also sakin dola or sakin ḏ-ula,^[1] literally "dwelling of evil" in Mandaic) is a ritual talismanic seal used by Mandaeans to protect against evil.^[2]: 37

The skandola is an iron ring with a chain attached to an iron knife. It is used as a sacred talismanic seal. It is used to seal graves and also newborn babies on their navels. During wedding ceremonies, a priest gives the skandola to the bridegroom. There are incised depictions of the following animals:^[2]

• Lion, representing Krun
• Scorpion, representing Hag
• Black snake or serpent, representing Ur
• Wasp or hornet

E. S. Drower notes parallels with Mithraic bas-reliefs, Yazidism, Iranian artistic symbols, and others. A Mandaean priest told Drower that the skandola was originally brought by Hibil Ziwa from the World of Darkness as he was taking Ruha along with him (a narrative found in Book 5, Chapter 1 of the Right Ginza^[3]).^[2]

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Skandola.

• Talisman
• Hamsa