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Difference between revisions of "Safehand"

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'''Safehand''' is an [[Alethi]] term for a woman's left hand. According to [[Vorin]] cultural tradition, it is improper for a woman to leave her safehand uncovered.{{wob ref|12977}}
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'''Safehand''' is a [[Roshar]]an 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.{{wob ref|12977}} A woman's right hand is often referred to as their '''freehand'''.{{book ref|sa1|3}}
   
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==Background==
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Upper-class women adhere to this tradition by wearing a sleeve that covers their left hand loosely.{{book ref|sa1|3}} Often the sleeve has a safepouch sewn on the inside for women to store personal objects.{{book ref|sa1|3}} It is considered extremely rude to open another woman's safepouch.{{book ref|sa1|39}} Lower class women and women of non-Vorin or only nominally Vorin countries, such as [[Thaylen]]{{book ref|sa1|8}}{{book ref|sa1|i|4}} women, wear a glove so they can use both hands freely.{{book ref|sa1|3}}{{book ref|sa1|6}} Prostitutes often wear no covering at all{{book ref|sa1|46}} or will wear fingerless gloves on their safehands in order to be provocative and show others who they are before being hired out.{{book ref|sa2|45}}
  
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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.{{wob ref|4447}} Although the book 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 [[Shardblade]]s 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.{{wob ref|6245}} This change occurred relatively rapidly, over the course of a few decades,{{wob ref|900}} and has persisted for several millenia.{{wob ref|9655}}
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{{image|Vorin Havah.jpg|side=left|width=250px|Examples of havahs from a fashion folio, showing different types of safehand sleeves}}
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==Observance==
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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.{{book ref|sa2|19}} It is kept hidden from view whenever possible, even when wearing a robe in front of bathing attendants before actually entering the bath.{{book ref|sa1|48}} Only family members are touched with a covered safehand,{{book ref|sa1|22}} as it is considered to be a fairly intimate gesture.{{book ref|sa3|18}} Intentionally showing your safehand is considered an exceptionally private act, and it is usually seen by a woman's significant other.{{book ref|sa3|36}}
   
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Covering the left hand is not thought of as a major inconvenience among Alethi and Veden nobility, since [[lighteyes|lighteyed]] women are able to pursue one-handed hobbies such as painting and writing.{{wob ref|4447}} 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.{{book ref|sa1|3}} The sleeve of a havah often has a compartment or button where a "safepouch" that holds personal objects can be stored; the pouch can be transferred between different garments.{{book ref|sa1|48}} It is considered extremely rude to open another woman's safepouch.{{book ref|sa1|39}} The sleeve typically has a button that can be opened if a woman is in a situation where she can reveal her safehand.{{book ref|sa4|19}} Havahs are particularly popular in Alethkar and Jah Keved, and new styles are often introduced in Roshar's fashion capitals of [[Liafor]] and [[Yezier]].{{file ref|Vorin Havah.jpg|Vorin Havah Folio Page}}{{book ref|sa3|49}} 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.{{book ref|sa3|36}}{{book ref|sa3|21}}
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The safehand derives from the 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.{{wob ref|4447}}
  
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[[darkeyes|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.{{book ref|sa1|3}}{{book ref|sa1|6}} [[Thaylen]] women, who are less devout than the Alethi and come from a society of sailors, also typically wear gloves.{{book ref|sa1|8}}{{book ref|sa1|i|4}}
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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.{{book ref|sa2|45}}{{book ref|sa1|46}}
   
 
== Trivia ==
  
== Trivia ==

Revision as of 00:25, 23 April 2022

Safehand
Havah4.jpg
by Sheep
Related to Vorinism
World of Origin Roshar
Universe Cosmere
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Be aware that in its current state, it may not include all additional content yet.

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

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] Although the book 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.[4] This change occurred relatively rapidly, over the course of a few decades,[5] and has persisted for several millenia.[6]

by Dan dos Santos
Examples of havahs from a fashion folio, showing different types of safehand sleeves

Observance

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.[7] It is kept hidden from view whenever possible, even when wearing a robe in front of bathing attendants before actually entering the bath.[8] Only family members are touched with a covered safehand,[9] as it is considered to be a fairly intimate gesture.[10] Intentionally showing your safehand is considered an exceptionally private act, and it is usually seen by a woman's significant other.[11]

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 sleeve of a havah often has a compartment or button where a "safepouch" that holds personal objects can be stored; the pouch can be transferred between different garments.[8] 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.[11][16]

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]

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]

Trivia

  • 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.[22]

Notes

  1. ↑ General Reddit 2016
    — Arcanum - 2016-03-20#
  2. ↑ a b c The Way of Kings chapter 3#
  3. ↑ a b Goodreads WoK Fantasy Book Club Q&A
    — Arcanum - 2010-12-01#
  4. ↑ Words of Radiance Seattle signing
    — Arcanum - 2014-03-08#
  5. ↑ Firefight Phoenix signing
    — Arcanum - 2015-01-21#
  6. ↑ JordanCon 2018
    — Arcanum - 2018-04-21#
  7. ↑ Words of Radiance chapter 19#
  8. ↑ a b The Way of Kings chapter 48#
  9. ↑ The Way of Kings chapter 22#
  10. ↑ Oathbringer chapter 18#
  11. ↑ a b Oathbringer chapter 36#
  12. ↑ The Way of Kings chapter 39#
  13. ↑ Rhythm of War chapter 19#
  14. ↑ Vorin Havah Folio Page
  15. ↑ Oathbringer chapter 49#
  16. ↑ Oathbringer chapter 21#
  17. ↑ The Way of Kings chapter 6#
  18. ↑ The Way of Kings chapter 8#
  19. ↑ The Way of Kings interlude I-4#
  20. ↑ Words of Radiance chapter 45#
  21. ↑ The Way of Kings chapter 46#
  22. ↑ General Reddit 2020
    — Arcanum - 2020-07-28#
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