In the old tongue, it literally means "Of the Spear Maidens." They are an aiel warrior society, which unlike any other admits women and only women. In war, maidens are often scouts. A maiden may not marry and remain in the society, nor may she fight while carrying a child. Any child born to a maiden is given to another woman to raise, in such a way that no one knows the child's mother. "You may belong to no man, nor any man belong to you, nor any child. The spear is your lover, your child, and your life." These children are treasured, for it is prophesied that a child born of a Maiden will unite the clans and return the Aiel to the greatness they knew during the Age of Legends.