Guardian stones

During the early fourth century, during the unstable years of the clan wars that lead to the founding of Amayeh, it was traditional to present a newborn child with a small figurine of an animal, carved in stone. This animal was sewn into the baby's swaddling cloth as a protective guardian that would follow the child through life, protecting them against violence or conscription.
Although a northern Iasteroni tradition, the gifting of guardian spirits to newborn children, especially as carved stone totems, has become associated with Qā-Jārean faith. If the child dies before adulthood, the stone is destroyed as punishment for failure. When someone who owns a stone dies of natural causes, the stone is buried with them in the belief that the spirit will be join them on the journey to their next life, where they will swap places.
In addition to the small sculptures, some time in the sixth century, believers began to mark the transition to adulthood or conversion to the faith by getting a tattoo of their guardian animal. Although the practice of giving stone and ink totems for guardian creatures is still followed by the especially devout, and the the Nakhtau Lomr uses their guardian creature as a personal seal, many modern practitioners see it as a quaint or old-fashioned practice and the meaning behind it has largely been lost - a victim of its own success. 'Guardian' tattoos and the stone totems have become fashionable, with several popular theatre stars and local celebrities having small collections of both, despite a strong taboo aganst anyone but the owner touching them.

Primary Related Location

Iasteron

Important Locations

• Amayeh