Bel Tine

**Bel Tine** is a holiday marking the beginning of spring, and is celebrated in the Two Rivers, as well as across the Westlands.

## Overview

It is a custom on Bel Tine to light a lantern for deceased loved ones. The purpose of the lantern is to guide their loved one's spirit back to them, and so that the Wheel of Time will weave their loved one's soul back into the world through rebirth. In the Two Rivers, many of the townsfolk float their lanterns down the river, but the lantern can be lit anywhere.

Bel Tine is also celebrated with music, drinking, and dancing. In the Two Rivers, Tam al'Thor brings apple brandy to the village for the celebration. Marin al'Vere arranges for music to play in the village for dancing.

## History

### Season 1

The Two Rivers prepares for Bel Tine by decorating the village center in the days before, and Rand and Tam bring apple brandy to the Winespring Inn the day before Bel Tine. On Bel Tine, Rand and Tam returned to their home up the mountain before the festivities, and they light a lantern for Rand's mother. The rest of the Two Rivers folk light lanterns and set them adrift on the river, followed by returning to the village center for celebrations. During a Bel Tine dance, Trollocs attack the Two Rivers, and a Trolloc attacks Rand and Tam. In the aftermath of the attack, Moiraine and Lan leave the Two Rivers with Egwene, Perrin, Rand, and Mat.

### Season 2

Although separated from others, Bel Tine is still celebrated by Perrin, Egwene, Nynaeve, and Rand. Perrin floats two lanterns on a river alone as he travels with the Shienarans, and his lanterns are presumably for Rand and Laila. Egwene makes a lantern and celebrates with Nynaeve at the White Tower, and they place the lantern outside a window for Rand. Rand is in the Foregate of Cairhien, and he hangs up a lantern alone. Mat is the only one from the Two Rivers who is not shown celebrating Bel Tine with a lantern, but he is locked up without the resources to do so; visually, Mat holding a lit lamp is paralleled to the others holding their lanterns.

## Quotes

> **Rand**Maybe we should be at Bel Tine. To light a candle for her.**Tam**Whole point is to help guide her spirit back to us. Doesn't matter where we are when we do it, really.**Rand**How long does it take before the Wheel of Time turns someone's spirit back into the world again?**Tam**Wish I knew. But I'm sure there's a reason no one can remember their previous lives. All we can do is the best we can with the life that's given to us. And take comfort from it. That no matter what happens, what... pain we face... what heartbreak... even death... the Wheel keeps turning. Always. And we try again. Maybe do a little better than the last time.— Rand and Tam discuss Bel Tine, season 1 episode 1 Leavetaking

> **Nynaeve**For Rand. May his spirit find his way back to us, in this life or the next. He gave his life to save us all from the Dark One. I'm proud to have called him friend.— Nynaeve and Egwene mourn Rand on Bel Tine, season 2 episode 1 A Taste of Solitude

## Gallery

Moiraine walks through the Two Rivers, which is decorated for Bel TineMoiraine walks through the Two Rivers, which is decorated for Bel TinePadan Fain sells lanterns to Mat for Bel TineRand hangs up a lantern with his father TamMat and his sisters light lanterns and float them on the river for Bel TineConcept art for Bel Tine in the Two RiversEpisode 201: Egwene and Nynaeve hold a Bel Tine lantern that Egwene made for Rand
## Changes from the book series

Bel Tine is an adaptation of the holiday of the same name  (*book spoilers!*) from the book series.

* In the book series, the Shadowspawn attack occurred on Winternight, the evening before Bel Tine. Note that sometimes the attack on Bel Tine is referred to as the Winternight attack (by crew, in extra material, etc.), although this is technically incorrect for the television series.

## References

1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 *The Wheel of Time*, season 1 episode 1: *Leavetaking*.
2. ↑ *The Wheel of Time*, season 2 episode 1: *A Taste of Solitude*.