Cairhien
Encyclopedia
Cairhien is a country set in Robert Jordan
's The Wheel of Time
series of fantasy
fiction novels. Cairhien is located in the east central part of The Westlands, on the east it borders with the Spine of the World. The sign of Cairhien is a golden sun rising on a field of deep blue. The capital of Cairhien is a city of the same name.
Cairhien, like many of the current nations, became sovereign at the end of the War of the Hundred Years. For four hundred years after, it enjoyed a period of unprecedented wealth. This was due primarily to the Aiel
, who granted Cairhienen the exclusive right to cross the Aiel Waste and trade for silk in Shara. This prosperity ended when Laman Damodred cut down Avendoraldera, a cutting from the Tree of Life and a gift from the Aiel, and unknowingly sparked the Aiel War. During this war the city of Cairhien was burned and partially destroyed, and as of the rise of the Dragon Reborn
, its famous "topless towers" had not yet been totally rebuilt.
. He intends for Elayne Trakand
, Queen of Andor
(and Aes Sedai
of the Green Ajah) to hold the Sun Throne of Cairhien as well as the Lion Throne of Andor. Her father, Taringail Damodred, was of the noble house that has traditionally ruled Cairhien.
The politics of Cairhien are dominated by the Game of Houses, called "Daes Dae'mar". The nobles took the plotting and intricacies of politics within the White Tower, and gave it their own twist. To the Cairhienin, everyone has a hidden motive, every word has a hidden meaning, every action is believed to be a move to gain more power and strength. Unsurprisingly, Daes Dae'mar has been the cause of almost every disaster in Cairhien's history.
It is said that when Cairhienin reserve breaks, it can do so to a surprising degree. A good example is Cairhien during the Feast of Lights. During this two day celebration, all social barriers fall, and any man may kiss any woman, and any woman may kiss any man; nobles and commoners alike can be seen in the streets in various states of undress. After the two days are over, life proceeds as if nothing had occurred.
Robert Jordan
Robert Jordan was the pen name of James Oliver Rigney, Jr. , under which he was best known as the author of the bestselling The Wheel of Time fantasy series. He also wrote under the pseudonyms Reagan O'Neal and Jackson O'Reilly.-Biography:Jordan was born in Charleston, South Carolina...
's The Wheel of Time
The Wheel of Time
The Wheel of Time is a series of epic fantasy novels written by American author James Oliver Rigney, Jr., under the pen name Robert Jordan. Originally planned as a six-book series, the length was increased by increments; at the time of Rigney's death, he expected it to be 12, but it will actually...
series of fantasy
Fantasy
Fantasy is a genre of fiction that commonly uses magic and other supernatural phenomena as a primary element of plot, theme, or setting. Many works within the genre take place in imaginary worlds where magic is common...
fiction novels. Cairhien is located in the east central part of The Westlands, on the east it borders with the Spine of the World. The sign of Cairhien is a golden sun rising on a field of deep blue. The capital of Cairhien is a city of the same name.
History
Originally was called Al'cair'rahienallen, which in the old Old Tongue means "Hill of the Golden Dawn." The city and country were weakened in the Aiel War, and again by recent civil war and unrest, which was caused by the assassination of King Galldrian.Cairhien, like many of the current nations, became sovereign at the end of the War of the Hundred Years. For four hundred years after, it enjoyed a period of unprecedented wealth. This was due primarily to the Aiel
Aiel
In Robert Jordan's fantasy series The Wheel of Time, the Aiel are a race of people. They live between the "wetlanders" in the west and the Sharans in the east, in a desert which the Aiel call The Three-fold Land and which everyone else calls the Aiel Waste. They have earned a reputation as skilled...
, who granted Cairhienen the exclusive right to cross the Aiel Waste and trade for silk in Shara. This prosperity ended when Laman Damodred cut down Avendoraldera, a cutting from the Tree of Life and a gift from the Aiel, and unknowingly sparked the Aiel War. During this war the city of Cairhien was burned and partially destroyed, and as of the rise of the Dragon Reborn
Dragon (Wheel of Time)
In the fictional Wheel of Time fantasy series by Robert Jordan, the Dragon is the champion of the Light and the Creator against the evil Dark One. Although the Dark One was imprisoned by the Creator at the moment of creation, he continually seeks to break free of his prison. In each Age, the Dragon...
, its famous "topless towers" had not yet been totally rebuilt.
Current events
Cairhien is currently under the hand of the Dragon Reborn, Rand al'ThorRand al'Thor
Rand al'Thor, also known as the Dragon Reborn, is the fictional main character and protagonist of The Wheel of Time, a series of fantasy novels by Robert Jordan.Rand al'Thor has many other titles within the series:...
. He intends for Elayne Trakand
Elayne Trakand
Elayne Trakand is one of the main characters of the Wheel of Time fantasy series by Robert Jordan. She bears a resemblance both in name and appearance to Ilyena, the doomed wife of Lews Therin Telamon from the Age of Legends.-Description:...
, Queen of Andor
Andor (Wheel of Time)
Andor is a country set in Robert Jordan's The Wheel of Time series of fantasy fiction novels.Andor is one of the strongest countries in the Westlands of the main continent. It is located in the middle of the Westlands, and is one of the largest nations...
(and Aes Sedai
Aes Sedai
The Aes Sedai are a special society in the fictional universe of Robert Jordan's The Wheel of Time book series. Aes Sedai means "Servant to All" in the Old Tongue. They are the wielders of the One Power...
of the Green Ajah) to hold the Sun Throne of Cairhien as well as the Lion Throne of Andor. Her father, Taringail Damodred, was of the noble house that has traditionally ruled Cairhien.
Geography
Cairhien is the name of the capital city of the nation. It is situated on the east bank of the River Alguenya. After the Aiel War, a wooden city called the Forgate sprang up on the outside of the walls. Its inhabitants were mostly farmers who were afraid to go back to their farms close to the Spine of the World. Since all of the buildings were wood, the Forgate was burned by the Shaido Aiel who reached Cairhien before Rand al'Thor.Politics and government
Cairhienin (along with Aes Sedai) are known to all but have invented Daes Dae'mar (the Game of Houses), a system of intrigue and plotting.The politics of Cairhien are dominated by the Game of Houses, called "Daes Dae'mar". The nobles took the plotting and intricacies of politics within the White Tower, and gave it their own twist. To the Cairhienin, everyone has a hidden motive, every word has a hidden meaning, every action is believed to be a move to gain more power and strength. Unsurprisingly, Daes Dae'mar has been the cause of almost every disaster in Cairhien's history.
Culture
Cairhienin are usually short in stature and of rather pale complexion. They are also, outwardly at least, a very reserved people. Their love of order and control is best illustrated by the perfect grid of their capital's streets.It is said that when Cairhienin reserve breaks, it can do so to a surprising degree. A good example is Cairhien during the Feast of Lights. During this two day celebration, all social barriers fall, and any man may kiss any woman, and any woman may kiss any man; nobles and commoners alike can be seen in the streets in various states of undress. After the two days are over, life proceeds as if nothing had occurred.