Editing Infant baptism (section)

== Other religious traditions ==

=== Yazidism ===
[[File:Baptîzma êzidiyan.jpg|thumb|[[Baptism#Yazidi Baptism|Baptism]] of a Yazidi child in [[Lalish]]]]In [[Yazidism]], ''Mor kirin'' ("to seal") is a baptism ritual typically performed at birth to initiate children into the faith. Holy water from the [[Kaniya Sipî]] (White Spring) at [[Lalish]], the holiest Yazidi site.<ref name=":9">Kreyenbroek, P. G. (2005). ''Yazidis ii. Initiation in Yazidism''. Encyclopædia Iranica. Retrieved April 28, 2025, from http://www.iranicaonline.org/articles/yazidis-ii-initiation-in-yazidism</ref><ref>{{Cite book |last=Kreyenbroek |first=Philip G. |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=E4FpDDbrvqkC&pg=PA31 |title=Yezidism in Europe: Different Generations Speak about Their Religion |date=2009 |publisher=Otto Harrassowitz Verlag |isbn=978-3-447-06060-8 |language=en}}</ref> Alternatively, one may use the slightly less holy Zimzim spring.

Individuals originating from regions near Lalish frequently translate the ''mor kirin'' ceremony as 'baptism,' due to its observable similarities with Christian baptismal rites.<ref name=":9" />

The rite is performed by either a male or female member of a shaikh or pir family who serves as the officiating ''Mijêwir'' (custodian) at Lalish, specifically holding the position of ''Micêwirê Kaniya Sipî'' (custodian of the White Spring) during the ceremony.<ref name=":9" />

The officiant pours holy water from one of Lalish's sacred springs over the child's head in three ritual motions. While the ideal age for reception is nine or ten years, practical considerations often lead to earlier administration. Although circumcision is not a religious requirement, some families observe the practice due to regional customs.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Parry |first1=O. H. (Oswald Hutton) |date=1895 |title=Six months in a Syrian monastery; being the record of a visit to the head quarters of the Syrian church in Mesopotamia, with some account of the Yazidis or devil worshipers of Mosul and El Jilwah, their sacred book |url=https://archive.org/stream/sixmonthsinasyr00parrgoog/sixmonthsinasyr00parrgoog_djvu.txt |publisher=London : H. Cox}}</ref>

According to [[Yazidis|Iraqi Yazidi]] tradition, individuals who die without undergoing ''mor kirin'' must be ritually washed by their ''shaikh'', ''pir'', or designated "Brother/Sister of the Hereafter" ([[Kurdish language|Kurd.]] ''Birayê/Xuşka Axiretê''). If none of these are available, another person may perform the washing in their name. For those unable to travel to Lalish, the rite may be conducted using holy water transported from the sacred springs of Lalish to their location.<ref name=":9" />

However, adherence to this practice varies geographically. Yazidis originating from areas near Lalish observe the custom more consistently than those from [[Yazidism in Turkey|Turkey]] or [[Yazidis in Armenia|Armenia]], among whom the ritual has largely diminished in perceived necessity.<ref name=":9" />

While the ''mor kirin'' ceremony may reflect historical Christian influences, its origins remain speculative. Given the significance of water in pre-Islamic Iranian religions, the rite could equally stem from earlier indigenous traditions.<ref name=":9" />