The author describes the Knighting Ceremony as the following:
On the eve of the ceremony, all those who are to be knighted the ext day should enter a bath and stay there for a long time, reflecting on the need to cleanse their bodies henceforth from all impurities of sin and dishonorable ways of life; they should leave all such impurities in the water. Then they should come out of the water in the bath with a clear conscience and should go and lie in a new bed in clean white sheets; there they should rest as those who have emerged from a great struggle.... The bed signifies repose, stemming from virtue, from a clear conscience..... Then the knights should come to the beds to dress those to be knighted; the stuff in which they dress them, the linen ad all that goes with it should be new; this signifies that just as the body of each one should be cleansed of all impurities.., so should it be clothed in new, white and clean material, signifying that they should all from henceforth keep themselves pure.... The the knights should robe them in red tunics, signifying that they are pledged to shed their blood to defend and maintain....all the other rights set out..which it is the knight's duty to protect. Then the knights bring black hose and put them on those to be knighted; this signifies that they should remember that from the earth they must return for the death which awaits them, they know not at what hour; therefore they should put all pride beneath their feet. Then the knights bring them white belts with which they gird them, signifying that they should surround their bodies with chastity and purity of the flesh. After the knights bring them red cloaks and place them on their shoulders as a sign of great humility..... For each one to be knighted he gives two gilded spurs, one to each of two knights; these two knights fasten one to a foot, signifying that gold is the most coveted of all metals and is placed on their feet as a sign that they should remove from their hearts all unworthy covetousness of riches. Then the knight who is to confer the order of knighthood takes a sword; as the sword cuts both sides of the blade, so should they defend and maintain right, reason, and justice on all sides without being false...for anyone..... Then the knights give them the collee [light tap on the shoulder or slap across the face] as a sig that they should for ever more remember this order of knighthood which they received and carry out all the activities that may pertain to this order.
From what the author describes he also gives meaning to each part of the rite of passage. Then noted and emphasized virtues are humility, chastity, purity and inner cleanliness. Now for the Modern Warrior such a rite if passage as this does not exist in our times. Why? Because of society's usage of ceremonies to uphold what is morally hypocritical and rites of passage that are artificial, having no inner meaning or purpose. But why must the Modern Warrior study a rite of passage?
The answer is this: it is so that he/she can internalize what are the important meditations in their lives.
What I mean by this is that each part of the ceremony has a meaning in which the Warrior can meditate on for inner refinement of Character and complete maintenance of Honor. Allow me to explain.
Firstly, the described bath is a reminder that as much as the physical body needs to be cleansed daily and when needed so must our Character be purified of egoism, vices, vanities of this world, doubts, confusion, uncertainty and apathy.
Secondly, each garment described are reminders that Humility is the balance of Character and Honor within the Modern Warrior. How so? Character must be refined and enhanced by application of Virtue in choices and lifestyle. Honor is the standard and guiding ideal that is the motivation of every choice and action. Humility serves as the balance and sense of discernment that is down to earth.
Thirdly, when it comes to materialism and the need for riches or a wealthy place in society, the Modern Warrior must always put Integrity of heart and action in all matters of wealth. Why? Because the illusion of money guaranteeing everything is false and the Modern Warrior sees and acts beyond that illusion. Money is only a tool for the Warrior to maintain a home and the Warrior Lifestyle. Instead of seeing wealth in the manner of a collectible, the Warrior sees money as a means to follow through with the duties of life in this world.
Lastly, when the Warrior meditates on their own mortality, the weighty responsibility, the high standard and obligation, the fire of duty burning in the heart they become more human and more genuine. For such thoughts and deep critical thinking into such matters keeps the Warrior humble, down to reality and maintaining a healthy perspective on life and living to the fullest.
In summation such a rite of passage is a reminder of the obligations and duties of the Warrior Lifestyle which are to be humble and wise in all things in life.
"Good knights can and should live loyally and honorably." Keep this in your heart Brave Warrior, you can, you are able and should live your life loyally and with Honor.
Interesting insights. Thank you for sharing them.
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