Difference between revisions of "Glyphs"

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The usage of glyphs may predate even the [[Heraldic Epochs]], as they can be found inscribed, along with other patterns, on the [[Honorblade]]s themselves.{{book ref|twok|part=prelude}} They came into common usage among humans during the [[Era of Solitude]]; and are said to have been given to the Rosharans by the [[Dawnsingers]].{{book ref|twok|33}} Glyphs seem to have a common origin with [[Thaylen script]], due to the presence of many similar graphemes. Though [[women's script]] became the primary writing system used in [[Vorin]] nations, glyphs are still used in many contexts.

Glyphs are inexplicably tied to the Heralds and [[Knights Radiant]]. The "ten fundamental glyphs" are derived from or related to the "swordglyphs" of the honorbladesHonorblades and the the Knights Radiant orders.{{book ref|twok|8}}. These specific glyphs also appear on some [[Shardblade]]s, like [[Sunraiser]].{{book ref|twok|13}} Upon speaking new oaths or taking certain actions, similar glyphs may naturally appear around a Knight Radiant, formed out of frost or mist. When [[Shardplate]] was worn by Radiants before the [[Recreance]], it had glowing glyphs etched into the Plate that trailed vapor with color corresponding to the Radiant's order.{{book ref|twok|19}} These have since vanished for unknown reasons.{{book ref|twok|26}} Some of these glyphs were known in the Era of Solitude, and others were not.{{cite}}

Highborn lighteyed families often have a distinct glyph and a glyphpair. For example, the Kholin family uses the "khokh linil" glyphpair; stylized as a tower and a crown, this crest appears on the armor, clothing, and banners of Dalinar's army and servants.{{book ref|twok|18}} Maps of the [[Shattered Plains]] use these glyphs and glyphpairs to indicate ownership of camps and plateaus.{{book ref|twok|24}} Slaves are branded on the forehead with a glyphpair of the district in which they were enslaved, to signify their new caste. The addition of a "shash" glyph brand, marking a dangerous slave, can make it difficult to get a good price for the slave.{{book ref|twok|4}} Upon earning their freedom, slaves may opt to cover these brands with a tattoo, including glyphs that reference the record of their release.{{book ref|wor|2}}

Glyphs are also pervasive in decorations and religious practices, where they tend to be portrayed in a very stylized manner. Greater value is placed on beauty and aesthetics than on making the symbol easily recognizable. Glyphs are occasionally used on clothing for decorative purposes. For example, [[Alethi]] women sometimes wear dresses patterned with glyphs.{{book ref|twok|43}} The doors into the [[Palanaeum]] are adorned with a beautiful carving of intricate glyphs.{{book ref|twok|7}} When the freed members of [[Bridge Four]] chose tattoos to cover their slave brands, they opted for a purely decorative "bridgeBridge fourFour" glyphpair to be added.{{book ref|wor|2}} Even the [[Parshendi]] have been known to occasionally carve strange, unfamiliar glyphs into their daggers.{{book ref|twok|27}}{{book ref|twok|59}}

Sometimes these decorative glyphs mymay also take on a religious nature. In Vorinism, glyphs are often sewn into fabric or painted with a flammable ink. These "[[glyphward]]s" are then burned as a prayer. Young women may wear a "bride's prayer" on their sleeves prior to engagement, and soldiers may wear glyphwards into battle for luck and safety.{{book ref|twok|44}}{{book ref|twok|62}} Some even tattoo themselves with glyphs intended as a prayer.{{book ref|twok|55}} Women are typically responsible for drawing glyphwards for their families, though they may also be purchased at [[luckmerch]]es and apothecaries.{{book ref|twok|17}}{{book ref|twok|25}} While the practice of glyphwards is common in Vorin nations, some consider the practice to be superstitious.{{book ref|sa1|17}} More pagan beliefs also surround the use of glyphs. For example, some believe that extrapolations of the "tenth glyphic paradigm" can be used to determine one's personality.{{book ref|twok|33}}

{{image|Alethi Glyphs Page 1.jpg|AThe first half of a letter and in-depth discussion of Alethi glyphs.|side=right|width=150px}}

Glyphs can be seen written in three different ways: a standard, block form that highly resembles Thaylen script; a calligraphic form, in which the glyph may be altered significantly for heightened aesthetics; or a radial form, where the glyph is drawn repeatedly with radial symmetry about some point.{{17s ref|post|105525|Stormlight Archive Translation Guide|date=2014-3-6}} They typically have bilateral symmetry{{book ref|twok|8}}, matching the symmetrical pronunciation of the sounds they represent. In some cases, glyphs appear to beare composed of distinct phonemesgraphemes representing consonants.{{17s ref|post|105525|Stormlight Archive Translation Guide|date=2014-3-6}}. There are two styles of phonemesgraphemes: standard and calligraphic. The standard set of phonemesgraphemes are illustrated in a letter from [[Nazh]] concerning his investigation of the [[Calligraphers Guild]].{{file ref|Alethi Glyphs Page 1.jpg|Page of Alethi glyphs}} While these phonemesgraphemes are used in the design of new glyphs, many liberties may be taken in how they are utilized. As glyphs evolve in usage over time, these phonemesgraphemes are often distorted, combined, or lost such that they are no longer identifiable. The phonemesgraphemes often bear resemblance to the characters of Thaylen Script. When phonemesgarphemes are apparent, they appear to be pronounced outward and down from the center and top of the glyph.

The component phonemesgraphemes are not always readily discernible. Glyphs are often drawn in complicated ways that make it difficult to identify what they are unless a person knows what they are looking for.{{book ref|twok|27}} Lines are often added, removed, or contorted. In order to draw glyphs, one must have a deep understanding of how the glyph may be expressed without overly obscuring the meaning.{{wob ref|6461}} Additionally, glyphs are often drawn as pictographs--visually depicting the word it represents. This is done so those who cannot read glyphs may still understand what they mean.{{book ref|twok|3}}

A glyph's appearance and design can change over time. Because glyphs are typically memorized rather than read, a particular glyph's original phonemicgraphemic roots might even get lost as it evolves. For example, this is how the glyph for "storm" (''zeras'') developed throughout Alethi history{{file ref|Alethi Glyphs Page 1.jpg|Page of Alethi glyphs}}:

*''khokh linil'' - [[House Kholin]]'s glyphpair, in the shape of a tower and crown for most of House Kholin,{{book ref|twoksa1|28}} but in the shape of a sword and crown for King [[Elhokar]].{{book ref|twoksa1|28}}{{book ref|twoksa1|4}}

*''merem khakh'' - [[Amaram]]'s glyphpair, drawn in the shape of a [[whitespine]]{{book ref|twoksa1|47}}

*''sas morom'' - Slave brand, glyphpair of a highlord's district{{book ref|twoksa1|2}}

*''sas nahn'' - Slave brand, possible glyphpair for Amaram's district{{book ref|twoksa1|51}}

*''shesh lerel'' - [[Sheler]]'s glyphpair{{book ref|twoksa1|7767}}

*Tower & Hammer - Highprince [[Torol Sadeas]]'s glyphpair{{book ref|twoksa1|6}}