Priestesses wear black

In the world of Earthsea, the rule that priestesses wear black is a strict and visible marker of their dedication and separation from the secular world, particularly enforced within the Place of the Tombs of Atuan, where the color signifies their service to the Nameless Ones and their own symbolic death to their former lives. The rule is not merely a matter of custom but a fundamental part of the ritual identity and social order of the priestesses, distinguishing them from the laity and reinforcing the sacred, somber nature of their duties.

The Rule in the Place of the Tombs of Atuan

Within the Place of the Tombs, the rule is absolute. The priestesses are described as wearing "long black robes" and being "black-clad" during the solemn ceremony of the Remaking of the Priestess, where a six-year-old girl is transformed into the Eaten One, the One Priestess. The procession of priestesses moves "four by four" through the Hall of the Throne, all in black, their hoods and mantles completing the uniform of their office. This uniformity is a visual expression of their collective identity and their submission to the ancient, nameless powers they serve. The color black is not just a garment but a symbol of their role as the living servants of the dead and the dark, a constant reminder of the sacred and terrible nature of their calling.

The Rule's Enforcement and Significance

The rule is enforced with the same rigor as other sacred laws. When the young novices Penthe and Arha are caught climbing the Men's Wall, the High Priestess Kossil punishes Penthe with a whipping, but Arha, as the Eaten One, is merely reminded of her unique status. The rule of black clothing is part of a larger system of discipline and separation that defines the lives of the priestesses. They are not permitted to play games, and their days are filled with work, sacred songs, and dances. The black robes are a constant, physical reminder of their dedication, setting them apart from the guards, slaves, and farmers who live outside the inner wall of the Place. The rule is so ingrained that even the Eaten One, who is above most forms of punishment, is expected to adhere to it as part of her identity.

Contrast with Other Characters

The rule is not universal across all of Earthsea. In the Archipelago, wizards and mages wear cloaks of various colors, such as the grey cloaks of the students at the School for Wizards on Roke, or the white robes of the Archmage. The Lady of O, a guest at the school, wears a dress of bright copper and opals, a stark contrast to the somber black of the Kargish priestesses. This contrast highlights the different cultural and magical traditions of the two regions. The Kargad Empire, with its white-skinned, yellow-haired people and its worship of the Godking and the Nameless Ones, is a savage and alien land to the Archipelagans, and the black robes of its priestesses are a visual symbol of that otherness. The rule, therefore, is not just a local custom but a marker of a fundamentally different worldview, one that embraces darkness and death as sacred forces.

The Rule's Role in the Narrative

The rule of black clothing serves a crucial narrative function in the story of the Tombs of Atuan. It visually reinforces the themes of sacrifice, loss of identity, and the power of ancient, dark forces. The Eaten One, Arha, is stripped of her name and her past, and the black robe she is given is the final, outward sign of her transformation into a nameless servant of the Nameless Ones. The color black is a constant, oppressive presence in her life, a reminder of the life she has lost and the terrible duty she must perform. When Ged, the Archipelagan wizard, eventually enters the Tombs, his own grey cloak and brown skin stand in stark contrast to the black-robed priestesses, emphasizing the clash between the light and dark worlds he must navigate. The rule, therefore, is not a mere detail but a powerful symbol that shapes the atmosphere, character, and conflict of the story.