A Clue Hidden in the Original Cover Art?

[rane008]

Hey All,

 

I was checking out the official cover art and then realized there was a draft cover done by D. Sweet before his passing. If you haven't seen it (highly unlikely on this website, I think), I've attached it.

 

In checking it out, I noticed something about the Aes Sedai symbol in the sky. You guys catch this? It is a complete Taijitu symbol. The "ancient symbol of the Aes Sedai" is described as a circle halved with a sinuous line, one side dark, the other light. That's from the description of it over the arch to the passage to the Eye of the World. Notice that there is no mention of two circles within the symbol, as are shown in the Sweet cover art.

 

The Taijitu symbol is the representation of Yin and Yang (we all probably know this). It is supposed to show the two driving energies of the universe and how they are seeming contrary yet interconnected and interdependent. Hence the line dividing the two (showing push and pull) and the two circles with each side yet representing a piece of the other side.

 

To my thinking, and with the caveat that this was both intentional on the part of Sweet AND that he had knowledge of the ending, this shows that there will be a fundamental change in the way the One Power is used. Perhaps it is even a change to the True Source itself. This goes beyond simply Aes Sedai of both genders working together--after all this happened in the AOL but the symbol remained as described (sans circles).

 

As for evidence, I don't have a lot except to point out that every Age is marked with a change in the way the Power is used. First Age: No Power, Second Age: Both Genders, Third Age: Female Sane/Male Tainted. I don't think that simply going back to the status quo re the Second Age is how the Wheel works. Maybe the Wheel even needs for the way the Power is used in order to keep spinning.

 

So yeah this may seem like pretty rampant speculation, but I thought I'd throw the theory out there since a quick search didn't reveal any discussion on this point.

[Suttree]

To my thinking, and with the caveat that this was both intentional on the part of Sweet AND that he had knowledge of the ending, this shows that there will be a fundamental change in the way the One Power is used.

 

It was discussed a fair amount when it first came out. I seem to recall it was not intentional and I do know Sweet never paid all that much attention to the books.

[TommyRocker]

To my thinking, and with the caveat that this was both intentional on the part of Sweet AND that he had knowledge of the ending, this shows that there will be a fundamental change in the way the One Power is used.

 

Sweet never paid all that much attention to the books.

 

If you go back and look at any previous cover you'll pick up on this. Sweet was definitely a better artist than I can claim to be, but his WOT covers were always awful. This one looks like it would have been his best.

[Barid Bel Medar]

Most recently, the unfinished ToM cover art had Mat's Ashandarei as a yellow shovel. I am not well educated in art, so I can't claim to know DKS's quality, however, as mentioned, precise details cannot be taken too seriously in his unfinished works.

[shortkut]

Most recently, the unfinished ToM cover art had Mat's Ashandarei as a yellow shovel. I am not well educated in art, so I can't claim to know DKS's quality, however, as mentioned, precise details cannot be taken too seriously in his unfinished works.

Exactly, otherwise we'd be wondering why Min skipped the pyre or how her hair grew so quickly

[dhammett11]

Maybe the key is to somehow infect the True Power with a form of "anti-taint" derived from the Creator.