Tavuiden

Tavuiden is a term used in worldbuilding to denote a ceremonial disc central to coming-of-age rites in a fictional culture. Usually circular and about 10 to 12 centimeters in diameter, it is carved from slate or bone and inscribed with a personal oath and a clan emblem. The tavuiden is exchanged during Transition Day and kept as a personal talisman and family heirloom.

Origin and name: The word tavuiden is drawn from an invented Eldarin language, combining elements that translate roughly as seal and mark. Across communities, the form and decoration of tavuiden may vary, but the ritual function remains consistent.

Cultural function: In most groups, the tavuiden formalizes social bonds, marks eligibility for inheritance and authority, and can function as a guarantor in disputes. It is typically safeguarded in a ceremonial chest and displayed during important rites, including mourning, where it serves as a reminder of lineage and responsibility.

Material and variation: Tavuiden materials range from slate to bone to lacquered wood, with decorators adding pigments or inlay to signify clan affiliation or rank. Variants may include additional inscriptions, pictograms, or edge motifs that encode family history or vows.

Modern usage and references: In contemporary fiction and worldbuilding resources, tavuiden appear as motifs in jewelry, art, and storytelling. Within the setting, archaeologists and historians study tavuiden remains to interpret lineage networks and social organization, making the object a recurring symbol of identity and obligation.