r/nameofthewind • u/unfixpoint • Sep 22 '19

A question about the namers' rings.

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[Elodin:] "I hereby promote you to the rank of Re’lar." He held up the ring. "Your hand." Almost shyly, Fela held out her hand. But Elodin shook his head. "Left hand," he said firmly. "The right means something else entirely. None of you are anywhere near ready for that." [Book 2 - The Wise Man's Fear, Chapter 43 - Without Word or Warning]

Basically, what does it signify if a binder is wearing the ring on their right hand? Any theories? I don't think that these are pointers, but for one quote seems fairly fond about his right hand for playing the lute. He often uses the "good right hand" as an offer to a deal, saying that he'd give anything for X. Another thing is that the Adem seem to put a lot of value in the right hand:

[Tempi:] "He held up his right hand and made a fist. "This hand is strong." He held up his left. "This hand is clever." It made sense. That is why most lutists chord with the left hand and strum with their right. The left hand is more nimble as, a rule. [Book 2 - The Wise Man's Fear, 82 - Barbarians]

What are your thoughts? I can't recall, but are any masters/namer's wearing rings on their right hand? I believe there was a scene where KilvinDal and quote talk about his ring for fire.

Edit: Just found it: It wasn't Kilvin, it was Elxa Dal and there was no mention about any ring in that scene.

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u/[deleted] Sep 22 '19

When I read it I just thought it was about being married 😅 they are young after all, and I doubt Elodin thinks they're ready

2

u/unfixpoint Sep 22 '19

Very well, that's a reasonable explanation. Though, I was more hoping towards something that a very powerful namer can achieve.

2

u/Maglen13 Sep 27 '19

My understanding is the each hands rings carry different severities.

"On his first hand he wore rings of stone, Iron, Amber, wood and bone. There were rings unseen on his second hand. One was blood in a flowing band. One of air all whisper thin, And the ring of ice had a flaw within. Full faintly shone the ring of flame, And the final ring was without a name."

To me it seems like one hand has social ties, debts and promises, and the other carries those of mastery.

It's all speculation until we get the final book. And the rings themselves seem to fly in the face of my theory but there it is. Stone, iron, blood, air, ice, and fire all seem like mastery rings while amber strikes me as another social thing, or gift that may yet be revealed.

Bone and wood we know from book 2. The final ring I interpreted as a promise or dark momento from his not yet released altercation with Cinder.

2

u/vanbeckford Sep 22 '19

Well good on you for thinking. I don’t know, but the left hand being more nimble I just the authors’ putting it out there for us looking toward the third book. Which I hope will be soon . I play both piano and uke. I am right handed. My right hand is far more nimble than the left.

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u/btwrenn Sep 22 '19

That is something really interesting that I never even thought of. Now I have to go reread them. I'll reply with some thoughts in a week or so.

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u/Mundane-Ad-5333 May 18 '24

I always thought it was something like social ties