Tibil
n Mandaean cosmology, "Tibil" refers to the Earthly realm or the material world, which is situated between the higher, spiritual realms and the lower, darker realms. It is part of the Mandaean worldview, where the universe is seen as divided into three main zones:
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The World of Light (Alma ḏ-Nhura): This is the spiritual and pure realm, inhabited by divine beings and spirits.
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The World of Darkness (Alma ḏ-Ḥšuka): This is the lower realm, associated with evil forces and chaos.
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Tibil (The Earthly Realm): This is where humans reside, and it is considered a middle ground between the realms of light and darkness. Souls are believed to pass through Tibil on their way to the afterlife, either ascending to the World of Light or descending to the World of Darkness based on their spiritual deeds.
The term "Tibil" is linked to the idea of the earthly world or the "world of suffering" in Mandaean thought. It is a place where the souls of the dead journey through various stages before reaching their final destination. The concept reflects the Mandaean focus on the duality of good and evil and the importance of spiritual purification and redemption.