Safehand
| Safehand | |
|---|---|
 by Sheep
| |
| Related to | Vorinism |
| World of Origin | Roshar |
| Universe | Cosmere |
Safehand is a Rosharan term for a woman's left hand. According to cultural tradition in the Vorin kingdoms, it is improper for a woman to leave her safehand uncovered.[1] A woman's right hand is often referred to as their freehand.[2]
Background and Observance[edit]
The modern view on safehands derives from the ancient book Arts and Majesty, which claimed that "true" feminine pursuits and arts were the ones that could be performed with one hand, while "manly" arts were the ones performed with two hands, thus tying delicacy with women and brute force with men.[3]
The tradition of covering one's safehand is primarily practiced by women in the Vorin nations of Alethkar, Jah Keved, Kharbranth, New Natanan, and Thaylenah. Girls begin covering their left hand at around twelve years of age, and it is seen as a rite of passage.[4] It is kept hidden from view whenever possible, even when wearing a robe in front of bathing attendants before actually entering the bath.[5] Only family members are touched with a covered safehand,[6] as it is considered to be a fairly intimate gesture.[7][8] Intentionally showing your safehand is considered an exceptionally private act, usually reserved only for a woman's significant other.[9]
Covering the left hand is not thought of as a major inconvenience among Alethi and Veden nobility, since lighteyed women are able to pursue one-handed hobbies such as painting and writing.[3] Among the upper class, the most common method of covering the safehand is by wearing a havah, a traditional dress that includes an oversized sleeve that loosely covers the left hand.[2] The fabric used to make havahs is thin enough that the safehand can still be used to grip things.[10] The sleeve often has a compartment or button where a "safepouch" that holds personal objects can be placed. The pouch may hold objects as large as a notebook, and can usually be transferred between different garments.[11][5] It is considered extremely rude to open another woman's safepouch.[12] The sleeve typically has a button that can be opened if a woman is in a situation where she can reveal her safehand.[13] Havahs are particularly popular in Alethkar and Jah Keved, and new styles are often introduced in Roshar's fashion capitals of Liafor and Yezier.[14][15] People from non-Vorin nations who associate with Alethi nobility (such as Evi and Palona) are expected to cover their safehands, although they may be relatively careless about keeping it totally hidden.[9][16]
![[14]](#cite_note-Vorin_Havah.jpg-14){kind=link}
Darkeyed women often choose to wear a glove instead of a sleeve; they are not concerned about putting on airs and are more likely to need both hands to perform their jobs or household duties.[2][17] Thaylen women, who are less devout than the Alethi and come from a society of sailors, also typically wear gloves.[18][19] Gloves are considered less modest than sleeves.[2]
Prostitutes may wear fingerless gloves or leave their safehands completely uncovered in order to be provocative and show others who they are before being hired out.[20][21]
History[edit]
Although Arts and Majesty was written prior to the Recreance, it came to prominence after that event when it was adopted as a misogynistic justification for men to bear Shardblades and Shardplate instead of women. This had far-reaching effects in Vorin society, including women appropriating the duties of reading and writing as a form of retaliation.[22] This change occurred relatively rapidly, over the course of a few decades,[23] and persisted for several millenia.[24]
Singers that served Vorin masters in slaveform prior to the Everstorm sometimes retained the tradition of covering their safehands after they were freed.[25]
During the True Desolation, the importance of safehands seemed to decline among some high-ranking Vorin women. Jasnah Kholin followed the tradition because it was seen as proper, although she did not actually care about it herself.[26] Navani began wearing a glove more often and felt that wearing a sleeve was burdensome.[13]
Trivia[edit]
- According to Ben McSweeney, it was not originally intended for safehands to become a sexual and nudity taboo. After the release of The Way of Kings, however, fans made the connection themselves and Brandon worked it into the world as a result.[27]
Notes[edit]
- ↑ General Reddit 2016
— Arcanum - 2016-03-20# - ↑ a b c d The Way of Kings chapter 3#
- ↑ a b Goodreads WoK Fantasy Book Club Q&A
— Arcanum - 2010-12-01# - ↑ Words of Radiance chapter 19#
- ↑ a b The Way of Kings chapter 48#
- ↑ The Way of Kings chapter 22#
- ↑ Oathbringer chapter 18#
- ↑ Rhythm of War chapter 43#
- ↑ a b Oathbringer chapter 36#
- ↑ Rhythm of War chapter 69#
- ↑ Rhythm of War chapter 8#
- ↑ The Way of Kings chapter 39#
- ↑ a b Rhythm of War chapter 19#
- ↑ Vorin Havah Folio Page
- ↑ Oathbringer chapter 49#
- ↑ Oathbringer chapter 21#
- ↑ The Way of Kings chapter 6#
- ↑ The Way of Kings chapter 8#
- ↑ The Way of Kings interlude I-4#
- ↑ Words of Radiance chapter 45#
- ↑ The Way of Kings chapter 46#
- ↑ Words of Radiance Seattle signing
— Arcanum - 2014-03-08# - ↑ Firefight Phoenix signing
— Arcanum - 2015-01-21# - ↑ JordanCon 2018
— Arcanum - 2018-04-21# - ↑ Rhythm of War chapter 1#
- ↑ Rhythm of War chapter 17#
- ↑ General Reddit 2020
— Arcanum - 2020-07-28#