The phrase ‘I took an arrow within the knee’ is previous Norse slang for getting married.
‘I took an arrow within the knee,’ says the potential groom. Or does he?
Pondering the explanations behind a lot of our acquainted traditions whose unique functions have been lengthy since misplaced within the mists of time is a favourite pastime of many. The topics of marriage and weddings are a typical goal of such ruminations, as they’re related to many centuries-old rituals which can be arcane to fashionable audiences.
One such instance is a well-liked meme that seemingly explains why marriage engagements historically start with the one initiating the proposal’s providing up a hoop from a kneeling place:
On this topic, nevertheless, the ‘I took an arrow within the knee’ meme is only a little bit of humor. One searches in useless to seek out any references in Norse languages or mythology that hyperlinks the phrase ‘took an arrow within the knee’ to the idea of marriage, or that ties any type of harm to the custom of getting down upon bended knee to suggest to a potential partner.
The phrase “I took an arrow within the knee” is definitely of pretty current classic, a line popularized by the role-playing online game The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim, as famous by the Know Your Meme site:
In The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim, the city guard non-player characters (NPCs) have a number of inventory strains they may repeat when the participant walks close to them, together with a bewildered assertion about “curved swords”, a patronizing assertion about “sweetroll” theft, and the melancholy reminiscing of the previous “I was an adventurer such as you, then I took an arrow within the knee.”
The repetition of this inventory line all through the sport led the gamers to reference it in gaming boards and imageboards.
Certainly, right here is the “I took an arrow within the knee” line as it’s uttered a number of occasions in The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim
https://youtu.be/vncIBREXCwU
The place did the custom of getting down upon one’s knee to suggest marriage come from, then? No definitive historic rationalization exists, however as many sources have posited, the apply is probably going associated to customs involving kneeling as a demonstrative act of each supplication and respect, two points {that a} spouse-to-be would doubtless do effectively to exhibit to a possible mate:
Throughout the Center Ages, chivalry was not but lifeless and formal courtship was the medieval model of modern-day courting. Kneeling was additionally the protocol for a lot of ceremonial rituals and rites of passage, together with these of the romantic variety. Medieval art work and literature reveals knights genuflecting earlier than their feudal lord as an indication of honor and respect, or kneeling in entrance of a noblewoman to specific their everlasting servitude and admiration in a present of “courtly love.”
However medieval rituals aren’t the one potential rationalization; faith could play a task as effectively. Many religions, like Christianity and Islam, have their worshippers kneel in prayer to specific their devoted service and eternal respect for his or her God.
Right now, kneeling has connotations of full submission, giving your self to the mercy of the opposite one that has the facility to do regardless of the heck they like. So after we suggest on this means, we’re displaying that we actually belief our associate, and that we’re fully dedicated to intertwining our life with theirs.
It is also a respectful factor, which is sweet, and reveals that we’re keen to interrupt down our partitions (as kneeling is inserting your self in a susceptible place with all energy to the particular person standing) and be actually intimate.
In brief, providing a hoop upon bended knee to suggest marriage is a symbolic method of expressing a fervent want for a optimistic response, and of demonstrating that the one that you love is deserving of your honor, respect, and love — not due to an previous arrow harm.
