BEADS & BRAIDS OF HOUSE WEISS

[House of Weiss 45]

 

ISSUED BY THE HONOURABLE

14th of Joma & Umund | 564E.S

 

 

 

 

⋅ ⋅ ⋅ ⊰⋅────────────────⋅⊱ ⋅ ⋅ ⋅

THE Farfolk ancestry of House Weiss is among its points of pride: its lineage traces back to roots as regal as Cesar de Pelear, the founding Viceroy of Hyspia, and as humble as the Viscountess-consort Marian Weiss, a commonborn woman who rose to hard-won recognition.

The House Weiss itself came from common Waldenian roots, and rose to nobility through the labor of Felix Weiss and his children. Over the generations since its culture has become a unique, if woefully undocumented, blend of Haeseni; Hyspian; Waldenian and, in some facets, entirely original custom.

As such we seek with this missive to establish some traditions onto the written record, and to create rites of passage and symbols which our descendants may bear for many more proud generations to come.

- Sabine Weiss, Matriarch of the House

⋅ ⋅ ⋅ ⊰⋅─────────────────────────────⋅⊱ ⋅ ⋅ ⋅

⋅ ───────────────⊱༺༻⊰─────────────── ⋅

MANY-STRANDS BRAID

The Weiss peers wear one braid for each title held by the House, and one strand for each Weiss to hold it before them. 

For example, Karl Weiss, the fifth Viscount of Novkursain and Baron of Zvaervauld, would wear two five-strand braids. These may be woven into other designs, such as the consort’s coronet, and beaded.

Should a Weiss peer be the first honored with a new title, a dreadlock or a strand of hair wrapped in silk (the choice depending on hair texture) shall be worn in lieu of a braid.

 

CORONET BRAID

Worn by consorts, the coronet braid encircles the entire crown of the head where a kokoshnik would rest. The hair is first parted down the center; then begins from the right rear of the head and is woven around and over both ears until it meets itself in the center rear. 

The coronet braid symbolizes the consort’s dedication to leadership of the House; honors the House’s noble status, regardless of their own origins; and acknowledges their participation in the yet-unbroken cycle of House leadership which they joined by virtue of their marriage. It can be worn in any hair texture, and may be combined with other styles so long as the coronet is always the highest braid on the head.

 

WARRIORS’ BRAIDS

Though first and foremost a matter of practicality, warriors – most Weisses, in their lifetimes – are to wear their hair braided tightly against the scalp on at least the sides but preferably the entirety of the head. This not only provides enemies less grip should the Weiss be without a helmet, but ensures better fit of said helm, clear vision, and protection of the hair itself.

For tighter curls and coils, dreadlocks are also a fine choice; however the recommended width is about equal to one’s little finger, and if long then they are best kept braided loosely down the back of the head.

 

⋅ ⋅ ⋅ ⊰⋅─────────────────────────────⋅⊱ ⋅ ⋅ ⋅

⋅ ───────────────⊱༺༻⊰─────────────── ⋅

 

IVORY EDELWEISS

To earn an ivory edelweiss, a Zvaervauldian must come of age. The edelweiss, official flower of the House of Weiss, can only be found by scaling a mountain: in this way it is given to recognize that one has scaled the mountain of youth, and now moves into new heights within their life.

The wearing of the ivory edelweiss symbolises strength, integrity, and discipline. It may be carved from the bone of an ancestor’s fallen foe if not true ivory.

 

BULLSHORN AIMSBEAD

A white bead carved from bulls’ horn or elk antler, the aimsbead is earned when a Zvaervauldian accomplishes a noteworthy victory. The ‘victory’ unto itself may be defined by the victorious themself: they are not awarded when one overcomes great outward challenge, bu given by an elder member of the House of Weiss to symbolize that one has proven themself worthy of their own ambition.

The white beads therefore symbolize pride of accomplishment: their wearing indicates that the bearer is a devoted practitioner of their chosen trades and striving towards success.

 

LILAC HEARTBEAD

A golden bead bearing a lilac flower is earned when a Zvaervauldian performs a grand act of chivalry. Bearing the iconic flower of Zvaervauld, the heartbead is given by an elder member of the House of Weiss to honor great compassion and generosity. 

The golden lilacs therefore symbolize an honorable heart: their wearing indicates that the bearer remains humble, values kindness, and keeps to the code of honor which should bind all good Descendants.

 

LION WARBEAD

A golden bead bearing a lion’s head is earned when a Zvaervauldian proves victorious on the field of battle. Whether this battle is on the floor of the Duma Hall or a field of war, they are given by an elder member of the House of Weiss to honor great strength and ferocity. 

The golden lions therefore symbolize a warrior’s valor: their wearing indicates that the bearer is an exemplary keeper in the Zvaervauldian traditions of battle, and has tested their mettle against a great challenge for each bead.

 

GLASS OATHBEAD

A golden bead enamelled in blue glass (except for the remaining silhouette of a crow) is earned when a Zvaervauldian takes the oaths of the Brotherhood of St. Karl. Another oathbead, each of solid blue enamel, may be worn for each promotion they earn thereafter.

The oathbead symbolizes loyalty to Hanseti-Ruska and commitment to the martial tradition of House Weiss.

 

SAPPHIRE HONORBEAD

A sapphire bead is earned when a Zvaervauldian wins a duel of honor. There is no way to earn a sapphire bead except to engage in a lawful duel and prove victorious. Furthermore sapphire honorbeads are the only of the Zvaervauld beads which can be lost; for to lose a duel indicates a great shame indeed, and so a sapphire earned must be taken.

 

⋅ ⋅ ⋅ ⊰⋅─────────────────────────────⋅⊱ ⋅ ⋅ ⋅

⋅ ───────────────⊱༺༻⊰─────────────── ⋅

Across Haeseni and Highlander cultures, veils historically symbolize piety and womanhood. Veils, wraps, and weaves may be worn by Zvaervauldian women and girls of all ages, depending on their color, patterning, and material. 

Earned beads may be sewn into veils by those who wear them, or strung and worn around the throat or waist.

 

SILK WEAVES

Silk is the favored material for all silks and wraps worn by daughters of the House. Veils, wraps, and weaves worn by Ladies Weiss are almost always to be of silk, though their weight, pattern, and length may vary.

White veils symbolize piousness, as is the broader custom; however, they may be worn beginning as early as five or six, as they also serve to protect young hair.

Blue veils symbolize loyalty to the House of Weiss and may be worn by any Zvaervauldian woman. Blue silk veils trimmed with gold may be worn by Ladies of the House.

Black veils symbolize mourning, and are not to be worn outside of the mourning period. Ladies of the House may wear mourning veils trimmed with blue and gold.

 

WRAPS AND OTHER ORNAMENTATION

Any silk which may be worn as a veil may also be wrapped around the entirety of the head, or silk strips may be woven into braids and locs as further adornment. These adornments abide the same rules of color as full-length veils, though are generally preferred by warriors and crafters as they are less likely to get in their way.

In the case of a headwrap, beads may be worn on pins and brooches. If woven in, beads may be strung on the silk itself. 

 

LACE WEAVES

Lace veils may be worn by any Zvaervauldian girl who has reached her fifteenth summer, in honor of the House Weiss’s descendance from the Royal Family of Hyspia. White lace veils may be donned over a bride’s face on her wedding day; furthermore, gold or turquoise lace veils may be donned on by an eldest Weiss daughter at her Hauchmetvas.

 

⋅ ⋅ ⋅ ⊰⋅─────────────────────────────⋅⊱ ⋅ ⋅ ⋅

 

LEKONSKED VA VE LVINYY,

 

The Right Honourable, LORD KARL VARON WEISS, Viscount of Novkursain and Baron of Zvaervauld

 

The Right Honourable, SABINE EMELYA WEISS, Matriarch of the House Weiss

 

Lord KAZIMIR AUDO WEISS of Staalgrav

 

Lady NADYA HELOISE WEISS of Staalgrav

 

Lord ERYK LEOPOLD WEISS of Staalgrav

 

Edited January 15, 2025 by House of Weiss