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{{culture
|image=Glyphward1.jpg
|image-artist=[[User: Sheep]]
|name=Glyphwards
|related=Vorinism
|world=Roshar
|books=[[The Stormlight Archive]]
}}
A '''Glyphward''' is a prayer, written in the form of glyphs, that is used in Vorinism. Glyphwards can be a short in length as a single glyph,{{book ref|twok|69}} or as long as several glyphs strung together.{{book ref|twok|62}} They do take some skill to draw well and neatly, so a person who can draw glyphwards calligraphically well is considered to have an impressive ability.{{book ref|twok|5}} After a glyphward is created, whether through drawing or sewing it into cloth,{{book ref|twok|62}} it is burned to send the soul of the prayer to the [[Almighty]]. If the prayer fails to be answered, it is simply treated as his will. In addition to sending prayers to the Almighty, glyphwards often appeal to one of the [[Herald]]s, such as [[Jezrien|Jezerezeh]]'Elin, the Stormfather.{{book ref|twok|62}} Glyphs were also drawn on surfaces with [[burn ink]], and then set on fire to burn a glyph onto something.{{book ref|twok|69}}
The prayers sent by glyphwards vary quite a bit. Some are burned before a an action, for a blessing such as luck or success.{{book ref|twok|49}} Others are burned in a prayer of thanksgiving for some perceived blessing.{{book ref|twok|8}} Some glyphwards are commissioned to absolve sins, such as visiting the [[Nightwatcher]].{{book ref|twok|61}} When a person dies or is in danger, his or her wife or daughters will create glyphwards to pray for that person.{{book ref|twok|69}} Glyphwards are also believed to be able to turn away evil.{{book ref|twok|25}}
On some occasions, glyphwards are not burned right away, or at all. A '''bride's prayer''' is a glyphward made up of a glyphpair.{{book ref|twok|44}} A woman who is to be married has it sewn onto her sleeve. After the engagement is formally announced, the prayer is removed and burned. Other times, a glyphward is simply sewn onto a person's sleeve in the event that they ever need it, in which case it would be burned.{{book ref|twok|44}} Some are simply worn for protection or good fortune, without ever needing to be burned.{{book ref|twok|62}} On occasion, Rosharans will even get tattoos of glyphwards.{{book ref|twok|55}}
Women are the only ones to typically make glyphwards,{{book ref|twok|28}} although both men and women make use of them. In addition to being homemade, glyphwards are often purchased from [[luckmerch|luckmerches]] or apothecaries,{{book ref|twok|25}} the latter of which will often decorate their shops will glyphwards.{{book ref|twok|17}} [[Ardent]]s will also burn prayers to the Almighty, to help the people they serve.{{book ref|twok|37}}
More scientifically minded or more logical Rosharans deplore glyphwards as mere nonsense and superstition.{{book ref|twok|5}}{{book ref|twok|17}} Some wonder why, if the Almighty is omniscient, he needs to have a prayer burned to him before he can aid someone.{{book ref|twok|43}}
<gallery caption="Images of Glyphwards">
Glyphward.jpg | Burning glyphward by [[User: Sheep]]
</gallery>
== Notes ==
<references />
{{partial}}
{{Stormlight}}
[[Category: Vorinism]]
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