Blood-Tie

Blood-ties are ritual, temporary markings traditionally issued at births, adoptions, and weddings. Generally, the blood-tie denotes a commitment of the marker to the marked. In the case of a birth or adoption, it represents the guardian's promise to the child. In the case of marriage or a pact between equals, it signifies a shared promise to support each other in some way. 
==Blood Tradition==
In Blood tradition, blood-ties are marked with human blood, usually produced from shallow ritual cuts in the palm or arm. When children are born, they are marked on the forehead by the father figure. It is implied that the mother has, by giving birth, already marked the infant with a blood-tie.
If a person is adopted either formally or informally by another family or group, they can be marked again to signify their induction into the family or group. This is a common practice within some religious sects, as well as for many formal adoptions of young children. 
==Rose Tradition==
The Rose tradition of blood-ties is very similar to that of Blood, and many cultural experts believe that the Rose tradition developed from Blood rituals. Blood-ties are also temporary marks of human blood applied to children at birth and during adoptions. However, Rose tradition calls for pricks in the tips of the fingers, rather than cuts in the palm. Additionally, blood-tie marks can be applied either to the forehead or to the fingertips of the recipient. 
==Flame Tradition==
Blood-ties do not occur as such within Flame cultural tradition. However, a similar tradition, known as "ash-marking" has been described as occuring infrequently within certain Flame communities. At some point after birth, usually before the second birthday, children are marked on the forehead with a daub of ash paste by a religious figure (rather than a parent or guardian). Still today, there is no consensus within the academic community as to the origin of this similar but culturally distinct tradition. 
==Weddings ==
More recently, blood-ties have become a staple of wedding ceremonies in much of the DSRR. This practice was encouraged by the Old Regime as part of its efforts to promote Blood culture and ideology throughout the country. The practice has largely ceased to be a religious one, and moreso a cultural one. Nuptial blood-ties represent the promise of the spouses to support each other as a couple, and are usually placed on the neck, collarbone, or chest. This has led to the popularization of low-cut wedding garments for the purpose of applying blood-ties. 
Category:Religion