| Type: | Mandaean |
| Shamish | |
| Member Of: | the Seven Planets |
| Affiliation: | Yawar Ziwa, Simat Hayyi, Yurba |
| Cult Centre: | --> |
| Abode: | World of Darkness |
| Planet: | Sun |
| Weapons: | --> |
| Artefacts: | --> |
| Parents: | Ruha and Ur |
| Equivalent1 Type: | Akkadian |
| Equivalent1: | Shamash (Utu) |
In Mandaeism, Shamish or Šamiš (ࡔࡀࡌࡉࡔ) is the Mandaic name for the Sun.[1] Shamish is one of the seven classical planets (ࡔࡅࡁࡀ|translit=šuba|lit=The Seven), who are part of the entourage of Ruha in the World of Darkness.[2] [3]
Shamish's name is derived from š-m-š, the Semitic root for 'sun'. Shamish is also cognate with the Akkadian Šamaš.[4]
Shamish is associated with the uthras Yawar-Ziwa (Dazzling Light) and Simat-Hiia (Treasure of Life). He is also identified with the uthra Yurba, who is described in detail in chapter 52 of the Mandaean Book of John.[5]
In the Right Ginza, the Yazuqaeans (i.e., Zoroastrians) are associated with Shamish, an allusion to Mithra.[6]
According to Iraqi-American poet Lamia Abbas Amara, "[Mandaean] priests have long beards and never cut their hair because they wish to look like Šamiš, the sun. Power resides in hair, like the sun’s rays."[7]