** the Ebou Dari marriage knife **

The Ebou Dari marriage knife is worn hanging hilt-down from a choker about the neck by women of marrying age, and readily used by the women that carry them. Tylin's is typical:

"A collar of woven gold ... supported a white-sheathed marriage knife hanging hilt-down ... The white sheath meant the Queen was widowed and did not intend to remarry. The four pearls and one firedrop set in the gold-wrapped hilt said she had borne four sons and one daughter; the white-enameled setting of the firedrop and the red-enameled of three of the pearls said only one son survived. All had been at least sixteen when they died, and died in duels, or the settings would have been black." <LoC: 49, 601-3, Leaning on the Knife>

Jordan continues to inform that "... women saw a red or white setting as a source of pride, whether her stones were pearls and firedrops or colored glass ... many Ebou Dari women removed the stones of their children past sixteen who refused a duel ..." <LoC: 49, 601-3, Leaning on the Knife>

A few more details: for commoner women, brass knives are typical, set with red or white glass beads. A blue knife sheath indicates a widow who will consider new marriage offers; a choker is worn by women who are engaged, to show that they have been promised a knife. <RJWoT: 30, 266, The Other Nations>

See also:

Tylin's guards and Altaran lancers