Ki'sain >> This red dot on Nynaeve's forehead symbolises her marriage to Lan - it is a Malkieri custom for wives to do this. It also symbolises that their sons will be pledged to fight the shadow. When the husband dies, they paint a white dot on their foreheads instead. In real life, this dot on the forehead is a symbol used by Hindu wives, and called 'Bindi' or 'Kumkum.' It can also be worn by men and monks, but for women, it symbolises overcoming ego... heh heh ^^;; Nynaeve overcoming ego, anyone? After marriage Hindu women give up their name. They take the pains of pregnancy and delivery, yet the child carries father's name. This selfless sacrifice is done out of love, and for the sake of family and society. It is for this reason wearing the red dot is considered a sign of 'Soubhagya' (good fortune), because sacrificing you ego and performing selfless action out of love is considered a sacred act and a good fortune.

Signet ring >> Lan gave this ring of the Malkieri Kings to Nynaeve as a gift. It has engraved on it the symbol of a crane flying above a lance and crown. Lan claims it can be shown to gain help from other Warders, or any Borderland Lord. Nynaeve, however, claimed that it meant she and Lan were betrothed.

Mashiara >> This word in the old tongue means 'beloved of the heart' but also 'love lost.' I often think about where Lan picked up the word... did he hear someone else use it, or, the Light forbid, read about it? He does seem to like poetry, after all...

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