Sabian
/ˈseɪ.bi.ən/noun
Relating to the Sabians, a religious community mentioned in the Qur’an, or to the modern Sabian Symbols astrological system.
Did you know?The Sabian Symbols were created in 1925 after astrologer Marc Edmund Jones reportedly received their 360 images through clairvoyant dictation from Elsie Wheeler.
Etymological Timeline
Ancient Near East
Aramaic
ṣāḇāʿ / ṣāḇʿā
“A term associated in Aramaic and related traditions with immersion or baptism; its precise connection to the later religious name is debated.”
Late Antiquity
Mandaic
ṣba
“To know or recognize; this is the root associated with the Mandaeans’ own name, though its relationship to Sabian remains disputed.”
7th Century
Arabic
ṣābiʾ
“A Sabian, a member of a community recognized in the Qur’an as a distinct religious group.”
8th–10th Century
Arabic
Ṣābiʾūn
“The Sabians; medieval Islamic writers used the name for more than one community, including the Mandaeans and the pagan star-worshippers of Harran.”
17th Century
English
Sabian
“An English adjective or noun referring to the Sabians or to beliefs attributed to them.”
1925
English
Sabian Symbols
“A modern astrological series of 360 symbolic images, developed by Marc Edmund Jones and Elsie Wheeler.”