The Power of the Ketek

[Straff Venture he/him]

We can see throughout the Way of Kings many of the lighteyes and other important names are a perfect or near-perfect palindrome (for anyone who doesn't know what a palindrome is, its a word or number that is the same backwards or forwards). As well as this, one of the most revered Vorin poems is a Ketek - a poem that is the same backwards as forwards and is poignant in meaning.

Something that displays itself in as many ways is probably similar to the 'magic sixteen' seen in the Hero of Ages. Obviously we know why sixteen was such an important number, but what are your thoughts on the significance of the palindrome on Roshar?

And also if anyone is really amazing it would be great to see some Keteks too, though they don't have to mean anything special. It would be great to see some comedic ones

[Riddlesinthedark he/him]

[Straff Venture he/him]

I am obsolete

[name_here]

Do note that the importance of symmetry is partially imposed by Vorinism. The real names of the Heralds are not universally symmetrical, as the Stormfather's real name is not. Kalak and Ishi really do have symmetrical names, but it is not clear how many others do.

Now, the big Roshar number is ten. There's ten kingdoms, ten heralds, ten orders of Knights Radiant, ten types of stormlight-bearing gemstones.

[Riddlesinthedark he/him]

Do note that the importance of symmetry is partially imposed by Vorinism. The real names of the Heralds are not universally symmetrical, as the Stormfather's real name is not. Kalak and Ishi really do have symmetrical names, but it is not clear how many others do.

Now, the big Roshar number is ten. There's ten kingdoms, ten heralds, ten orders of Knights Radiant, ten types of stormlight-bearing gemstones.

Didn't mean to deflate you at all, Straff, just directing you.

The names of the heralds are a funny thing, imo. In the epilogue Talenel'elin is how the herald calls himself. In the prelude, Kalak calls him Taln and Talenel. But in Szeth's prologue it has become Talenelat. (Also Kelek from Kalak).

So the symmetry that Vorinism favors was clearly not held sacred by the Heralds. Why?

[Straff Venture he/him]

Ok I declare this thread now becomes the magic of palindromes and the magic of ten!

Yeah theres definitely lots of tens on Roshar: the heralds, knights readiant, silver kingdoms, stormlight gems and probably quite a few more I can't think of. It'll be interesting to see why there is a significance on 10 instead of 16 (though if I was Brandon I wouldn't want all my books based around the same number with the same patterned magic system).

EDIT: And thanks for showing me that thread Voldy, some of the Keteks there are brilliant. I might have a go at my own

Edited September 10, 2012 by Straff Venture

[CabbageHead he/him]

but what are your thoughts on the significance of the palindrome on Roshar?

Remembering balance once lost, was written the ketek. The written was lost, once balance's remembrance.

[Observer]

Vorinism loves symetrical things, and Kabsal proves the extent of it. The Shattered Plains are symetrical, though that may be coincidence. I feel like I should see a connection here, but I can't find it...

[Straff Venture he/him]

I remember the rock formations has that distinct symmetry, so maybe its something to do with the nature of Honor