Manāt The Goddess of Faith

In Arabic مناة‎
Symbols: Chalice, waning moon, black stones 

In Arabic mythology Manat was the goddess of faith and death. Her sacred place was a large, dark marble stone that was kept in the temple of al-Mushalla near the city of Yathrib (later known as Medina). Manat was the leader goddess of tow Yathrib-tribes. These tribes were Banu Awas and Banu al-Khazraj. She was also worshiped among Hijaz-tribes in the wester Arabian Peninsula and among Nabateans in north. Several member os these tribes made pilgrimates to the temple. 

Manat was the oldest of the three sister goddesses and she was secondly important deity in the Arabian peninsula next to her father Allah. Manat´s spuse was Quzah, the thunder god. For Nabateans, Qaysha, Taraha and Dhu-Shara tribes Manat was the protector of graves and graveyards. 

Other name for Manat was Manawayat and her name is derived from Arabic words maniya meaning faith, death and destruction and menata which means part and portion. She is considered to be one of the oldest deities ever worshiped in Arabian Peninsula and that it is older than cults around her sisters Al-Lat and Al-Uzza. Nabateans who worshiped Manat as the protector of graves asked her to curse all of those who entered inside graves. Manat was the personification of death and the godeess of death. It was believed that during the time of death Manat appeared carrying the chalice of death with her. Her name is embroyed into her dress in the Sabaic language M-n-t. Sabaic doesn´t have any wovels. 

In Pre-Islamic myths Allah created Manat first. She was a powerful goddess who was feared because if she wanted to she could change the destiny of people. Taking in oath in Manat´s name was not to be broken. Manat was the protector of Banu Aws and Banu al-Khazraj tribes. When they visited the temple of Manat they shaved their heads to honor her. 

Pagan temples were destroyed in the 7th century by the orders of Mohammed. Gold and jewells were left as sacrifice for the gods were stolen. Mohammed´s adopted son Ali ibn Abi Talib robbed two sacred swords, Mikhdam and Rasub from Manats temple and took them to his father. 

Manat was honored because she brought death with her and without death life can not exist. She can bring you a life filled with magic and help one to embrace their inner wisdom. Being the goddess of time and the passing of time she was depicted with a waning moon over her head. 

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