One of the twelve [Aiel] warrior societies. All members of the Maidens are female. %%ot [Far Dareis Mai|Compleat] %% in the [Old Tongue].

[{Image src='Maidens of the Spear/far2a.jpg' link='http://www.darkfriends.net/~waldo/encyc/aiel/far2.jpg'}] 
%%ot Far Dareis Mai%% by [Richard Boyé|mailto:waldo@webspan.net]

Pronunciation: FAHR DAH-rize MY 
[{LinkedImagePlugin image-src='Pronunciation/soundbut.gif' href='Pronunciation/maidens.wav'}]

! Handtalk

The Maidens have developed a language of their own which uses only their hands, a sign language. No one outside of the Maidens is supposed to know it, however, [Faile] has been taught some by [Bain] and [Chiad]. Per Robert Jordan, handtalk consists of finger spelling along with gestures that signify words and even complete phrases.

! Members

%%columns
* [Adelin]
* [Agirin] ([Shelan] sept of the [Daryne]) 
* [Aviendha] (becoming a [Wise One|Aiel])
* [Bain]
* [Beralna]
* [Carahuin]
* [Careen]
* [Chiad]
* [Chuonde] ([Spine Ridge] sept of the [Miagoma]) 
* [Corana] 
* [Dagendra]
* [Dailin (Wise One)]
* [Dailin (Maiden)]
* [Desora]
* [Efalin] ([Shaido])
* [Enaila]
* [Isan] ([Jarra (Sept)] sept of the [Chareen]) 
* [Jalani]
* [Jendhilin]
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* [Jolien]
* [Lerian]
* [Liah] ([Cosaida] sept of the [Chareen])
* [Maira]
* [Marthea] ([Shaido])
* [Morin]
* [Naeise] ([Moshaine] sept of the [Shaido])
* [Nandera]
* [Nerilea] 
* [Rhian]
* [Riallin]
* [Rodera] (a [Shaido] taken %%ot [gai'shain|Aiel]%%)
* [Sefela]
* [Somara]
* [Sulin]
* [Suraile]
* [Surial]
%%

! References (Possible Spoilers)

%%collapse
# In [The Eye of the World]
## [TEotW,Ch25] - Female [Aiel] warriors are called Maidens of the Spear, %%ot Far Dareis Mai%% in the [Old Tongue].
# In [The Dragon Reborn]
## [TDR,Ch38] - [Aviendha], [Bain], [Chiad], [Jolien] and [Dailin|Dailin (Maiden)] are Maidens of the Spear.
# In [The Shadow Rising]
## [TSR,Ch22] - When [Rand] and the [Aiel] leave [Tear|Tear (City)], [Rhuarc] orders six of the [Aiel] societies, [Red Shields], [Brothers of the Eagle], [Water Seekers], Maidens of the Spear, [Black Eyes] and [Thunder Walkers], to spread out to look for the [Portal Stone].
## [TSR,Ch23] - Maidens and [Stone Dogs] are especially touchy about %%ot [ji'e'toh|Aiel]%%.
## [TSR,Ch25] - [Morin] becomes the first Maiden of the Spear when she gives up the Way of the Leaf to help rescue her daughter, [Kirin].
## [TSR,Ch36] - As the [Aiel] leave [Chaendaer], Maidens scout ahead while [Stone Dogs] guard the rear.
## [TSR,Ch57] - Maidens of the Spear accompany [Rand] for his honor. He has no Society, but he was born of a Maiden so they ask for the job.
# In [The Fires of Heaven]
## [TFoH,Ch21] - When men are taken %%ot [gai'shain|Aiel]%% by Maidens they teach the man to sing to entertain them. When a man behaves foolishly toward a Maiden they taunt him saying they will teach him to sing.
## [TFoH,Ch54] - Members of every society including Maidens of the Spear accompany [Rand] to [Caemlyn].
# In [Lord of Chaos]
## [LoC,Ch21] - Speaking to %%ot [gai'shain|Aiel]%% as a Maiden, e.g., using handtalk, is a serious insult and incurs great %%ot [toh|Aiel]%%.
## [LoC,Ch28] - Only [Stone Dogs] and [Black Eyes] are as touchy about %%ot [ji'e'toh|Aiel]%% as the Maidens.
# In [The Path of Daggers]
## [TPoD,Ch11] - Putting prisoners to the question is usually done by Maidens or [Black Eyes].
# In [The Gathering Storm]
## [TGS,Ch3] - Maidens and [True Bloods] scout [Domani|Arad Doman] refugees near [Rand]'s headquarters in [Arad Doman].
%%
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More [Category Organizations|Category.Organizations]