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The significance of 23 stars (TOM Spoilers) Iain83 Send a noteboard - 14/12/2010 11:48:55 PM
Apologies if this has been discussed - but I've read several posts discussing the meaning of Egwene's dream of a crystal sphere falling apart, but haven't come across any firm suggestions of the meaning of the 23 stars.

For reference, here's the dream:

[i]She saw an enormous sphere made of the finest crystal. It sparkled in the light of twenty three enormous stars, shining down on it where it sat on a dark hilltop. There were cracks in it, and it was being held together by ropes.

There was Rand, walking up the hillside, holding a woodsman's axe. He reached the top and hefted the axe, then swung at the ropes one at a time, chopping them free. The last one parted, and the sphere began to break apart, the beautiful globe falling in pieces. Rand shook his head.[/i]

The two main theories seem to be that (as Egwene thinks) the sphere represents the Dark One's prison or that (as some here have suggested) that it represents the White Tower. I suggest the number 23 is key to resolving this.

The only thing I can think of that 23 represents is the leadership in the Tower: 21 Sitters, the Keeper and the Amyrlin. They are the bright stars that shine upon (guide) the sphere (the Tower). I can't think of any other significance that the number 23 has in the series - certainly none to do with the seals/the Shadow/the Forsaken/etc.

Interpreting the 23 stars in this way clearly leads to an interpretation of the sphere as the Tower, with Rand then leading to a collapse of its power and authority - something he would do with sadness (the shaking of his head) but would do if it were necessary. (The ropes are potentially the ties that bind the nations to the Tower). There is potentially an event coming soon at which he will do just that - the confrontation at the Field of Merrilor, where he and Egwene will confront each other over what must be done next, vying for the support of the world's leaders.

It is particularly ironic that Egwene has interpreted the dream in the opposite way, thus indirectly setting into motion the very events that will bring about the outcome it predicts.

Thoughts?

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The significance of 23 stars (TOM Spoilers) - 14/12/2010 11:48:55 PM 3624 Views
It would be a first... - 15/12/2010 02:46:33 AM 1500 Views
Re: It would be a first... - 15/12/2010 04:39:17 AM 1120 Views
I think people aren't giving Egwene enough credit. - 15/12/2010 04:59:09 AM 1177 Views
She's not bringing everyone for a discussion, but for leverage to force him to change his mind. - 19/12/2010 09:54:49 PM 1096 Views
- 20/12/2010 01:50:39 AM 1098 Views
Re: - 20/12/2010 04:37:24 AM 928 Views
Huh? - 20/12/2010 05:09:39 AM 1034 Views
I find the theory - 20/12/2010 09:18:34 AM 937 Views
That's a new one to me - 20/12/2010 09:45:09 AM 1023 Views
Your theory is very unlikely - 20/12/2010 09:50:26 AM 1027 Views
If it was a plant, why would it be so oblique? - 29/12/2010 07:22:58 AM 901 Views
Re: - 20/12/2010 08:09:53 PM 1124 Views
That's not true. - 21/12/2010 02:22:50 AM 1170 Views
Sadly, the thing you reference four times isn't actually anywhere in the book. - 29/12/2010 03:17:15 AM 1154 Views
+1 - 29/12/2010 07:10:41 AM 1062 Views
Don't take this the wrong way, but I think I love you. (edited) - 29/12/2010 06:43:32 PM 1315 Views
Ah, if only I could sell the concept of sister-wives.... - 29/12/2010 07:09:56 PM 976 Views
Re: It would be a first... - 15/12/2010 12:43:49 PM 1537 Views
Dear lord, you wrote the Egwene haters' ultimate fantasy right there - 19/12/2010 01:41:55 AM 1052 Views
Don't think of use as Egwene haters... - 19/12/2010 04:32:11 AM 995 Views
One problematic issue...This assumes the Dark One cannot hold himself back once the Seals are broken - 15/12/2010 07:57:53 AM 1188 Views
Err, it's the other way around - 15/12/2010 09:00:38 AM 1112 Views
I see. It's the same thing, really, just looking at it from the opposite perspective... - 15/12/2010 09:14:22 AM 1174 Views
Don't you know it's all about the posturing - 15/12/2010 09:40:15 AM 1122 Views
It's more that you take it out of context - 15/12/2010 11:32:36 AM 1162 Views
So then... - 15/12/2010 06:35:02 PM 1130 Views
Re: So then... - 16/12/2010 03:39:19 AM 1067 Views
Re: So then... - 16/12/2010 08:11:37 AM 1027 Views
Mierin - 16/12/2010 08:13:55 AM 1212 Views
It would be a good strategy for a conventional war, but - 16/12/2010 07:32:30 AM 1077 Views
Nature of the DO - 15/12/2010 10:38:24 PM 966 Views
While I agree overall, I think this is a case where Rand/TDR mistakes his role - 15/12/2010 05:37:25 PM 922 Views
I don't see why Egwene would oppose his plan - 15/12/2010 06:17:47 PM 961 Views
I don't think that's the issue. - 15/12/2010 07:31:03 PM 1019 Views
I think Egwene is successful and Rand has to go to the Seanchan for female channeler assistance - 18/12/2010 12:47:54 AM 1089 Views
Egwene's dream seems a little more personal than that - 18/12/2010 04:55:37 AM 928 Views
Yes - 18/12/2010 07:57:35 AM 947 Views
Actually, I think Tuon will capture her, and then release her. *NM* - 18/12/2010 02:47:42 PM 524 Views
Re: It would be a first... - 18/12/2010 02:48:40 PM 967 Views
Re: It would be a first... - 18/12/2010 03:28:57 PM 951 Views
Those are vewings and prophesies... - 18/12/2010 03:43:55 PM 850 Views
I wish - 16/12/2010 08:29:23 PM 989 Views
That's just it: Egwene is not only wrong, she's narratively wrong. - 19/12/2010 11:30:35 PM 1411 Views
Man, that's the best take on Egwene I have ever read. - 20/12/2010 12:38:07 AM 979 Views
+1 - 20/12/2010 01:07:24 AM 1062 Views
You may be onto something there. - 20/12/2010 01:35:46 AM 1008 Views
Thanks. - 20/12/2010 01:24:42 AM 973 Views
Re: That's just it: Egwene is not only wrong, she's narratively wrong. - 20/12/2010 04:39:57 PM 1080 Views
Wish I'd read this sooner, 'cos I agree on several points. - 29/12/2010 03:38:59 AM 1022 Views
Re: Wish I'd read this sooner, 'cos I agree on several points. - 29/12/2010 07:32:49 AM 983 Views
It seems an odd oversight, yes; I can't even recall her being Delved when the truth was revealed. - 29/12/2010 12:40:00 PM 1022 Views
Ensure this value has at most 100 characters (it has 101). - 29/12/2010 03:00:22 PM 2733 Views
Ah, good point; Rand might have to do the job himself. - 29/12/2010 06:43:44 PM 979 Views
More likely to be Flinn. - 29/12/2010 08:18:19 PM 1014 Views
Maybe, once he knows the signs and techniques. - 30/12/2010 03:10:27 PM 1001 Views
Not sure if Rand had seized the source yet - he wouldn't have wanted to do it in front of Ramshalan - 30/12/2010 03:15:43 PM 947 Views
Good point, too. - 30/12/2010 03:17:06 PM 936 Views
He was holding the gateway open. *NM* - 30/12/2010 04:27:25 PM 494 Views
Thanks, had forgotten that. - 31/12/2010 04:43:25 AM 935 Views

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