Mani was a painter, calligrapher, and an Iranian Prophet of the second century and the founder of a dualist Christianity tradition inspired by ancient Persian beliefs. The sect's most important theological thought arose from the question: Why does evil exist, and whence did it come from? “Dualism” was their answer to that question. The Good and the Evil are considered two separate existing principles. The good principal couldn't, be responsible for the bad in the world. Hence, they considered an evil principle for creating an evil material world and trapping fragments of light in it. The realm of God is the realm of light, and the realm of evil is darkness. The benevolent light is cognitive, but darkness is ignorant and mischievous. Because of this legacy, seeing has a superior position among the senses. It is in the light that we see and understand, which implies that seeing is knowing, in contrast to the Semitic beliefs that hearing is knowing. In the Semitic culture, hearing is of higher value because, in their belief, God does not reveal himself to humankind and only speaks to us through his prophets, who preserve and convey His words to the followers. In the Dualist tradition, the “Good principle” is light, and through the light, we perceive the truth.
Thence depiction and inscription are considered holy and of great value. In the presence of the benevolent light, the holy images are unveiled, revealing "The Truth." Hence, Mani, took his unique painting skills into action and summoned the trapped divined souls to salvation. Art was considered holy, and Mani’s paintings were seen as a miracle. Mani is the only prophet who expressed his ideas through writing and painting, while also requiring his disciples to copy and translate holy books, thereby establishing and fostering an artistic culture. His legacy influenced various cultures and religions, illustrating that images serve a didactic purpose. This article will argue with a cultural, social, and philosophical approach that depiction in Mani’s religion was not only a means for the illiterate to understand his theology but also served a significant and complex role in helping humankind to salvation.