What hooked me solidly on my theory has to do with Rand thinking the cigar to be lit, and it was. Nakomi also seems to manifest items out of nowhere and cook the most amazing meal in minutes (where it should have been many hours just to cook such hardy food). Therefore I have always felt that Nakomi was the ‘equivalent’ to whatever Rand turned into, but from a prior iteration/turning. Perhaps they are avatars, but I think it is meant to be something unknown to the reader. I believe that Rand’s new pattern manipulating powers means he won’t be affected by ageing lest he chooses to be, and if Nakomi is the same, then she felt a responsibility to remain on Earth without being an influence until the next Dark One event came forth and she could be there to help. I also see Rand doing the same for the next turning.
Cool theory. I always took the end of the series magic to be the unlocking of the wheel's power to change events, manifested in Rand. But I never thought about it this much. Maybe it's like you say, but that both he and Nakomi, are human manifestations of the Wheel. In her case, perhaps at a moment where there were no other humans nearby to influence, so the wheel showed itself, in a way.
My theory is based on the idea that the hero of the age loses the power to channel after the last battle. But they have proven that they have the strength of will to handle an even more powerful ability. They carry the abilities from the World of Dreams into this world. Rand wants his pipe to be lit. So it is lit. No saidin was required. I think that past Dragons wander the world as "fixers" for the pattern. They may be able to move between worlds easily. The other part of this theory is that Nakomi was the equivalent of a past version of the Dragon. In the current turning of the wheel it was Saidin that was contaminated by the Dark One. I wonder if it could sometimes be Saidar that is contaminated. In that case the equivalent of the Dragon would end up being a female. I think Nakomi was the heroine of the last turning of the wheel.
If I recall when the wheel needs to spin a female hero equivalent to the dragon it spins Amaresu. So she could be a former Amaresu, I was thinking recently that if Olver would use the Horn again would the Dragon be also summoned.
I love it! I agree that Nakomi is likely "the mother" in the phrase "and may the last embrace of the mother welcome you home." What also fits with Aviendha's encounter where she says that she must tend to nature is the notion that she is what we, in either an age yet to come or long past, referred to as "Mother Nature". We know that our myths and legends are the realities of their world, while the realities of our world serve as their myths and legends, so it's not impossible to conceive that the woman we encounter as Nakomi is an avatar of what we would call Mother Nature.
I have always thought that Nakomi was one of the Aes Sedai that we see with the wagons during Rand’s trip through the glass columns. I think that they gave their life essences to keep Rhuidean protected and when that protection was lifted their spirits were freed. In light of the comment from Harriet that Nakomi was linked to “The Song of Highawatha” I theorize that Nakomi was actually Rand’s many times great-grandmother. We know that in the AoL Aes Sedai routinely married and had children, so it is not too far fetched. It also could be why she showed herself to Rand and the mother of Rand’s children. She had a vested interest in their fates.
I think that Nakomi COULD be AN ancient Aes Sedai... but NOT one of the ones we saw... because of Sanderson's comment that we've never seen her in a different guise.
i definitely agree with your favorite theory! it seems to hold the most weight and is very in line with RJ's "balance of opposites" theme through the series!
In my headcanon, Nakomi is Hoid in disguise until proven otherwise (and yes, I know Harriet would never allow it, but it is the funniest option to me). Although we know she can't be the creator's avatar, because that's Bela. 🐴
Fantastic video! So well produced and thought out. I missed the Sanderson reveal, so this was a great video to get a sense of the theory landscape before finding out. Thanks mate 🙂
Just thought of some evidence for the time traveling Aviendha theory. Aviendha specifies that she can't detect the talent in Nakomi, but somehow she knows she's a wise one. What are the odds that a channeler would be able to detect *their own body* if it can channel? I'd say it's likely they wouldn't be able to detect it if a mirror of themself was present because you can't effect yourself with the power. Maybe on some level Aviendha recognized the subtle tells of a channeler in Nakomis in other ways like you see throughout the series with other characters.
@@UnravelingthePattern We've seen Aviendha in other guises in the books, so Sanderson's comment would seem to rule out the possibility that Nakomi is Aviendha. That doesn't mean that Aviendha is NOT doing SOME kind of time travel, though. My own theory is that Nakomi is a Gaia figure... an actual equivalent, not a mere champion. In a way, her "champions" would be the Green Men, Ogier... her servants/clergy would be ancient Aiel... her symbols avendesora... and things "magically appearing" when they are needed, like edible food (including meat), gold, etc... the growing of the forest... her own "little" ways of helping out, without ruining the story... and especially since she only appears near/at the end. Logically, she might well have some kind of special affection for the modern descendants of the ancient Aiel... and might easily be expected to know their ways and customs... and some care for their future, as well. For that matter, if the Dark One wins, Gaia would die, too... and thus Rand would be HER champion, as the DR, as well as a descendant of the/"her" Aiel. Remember the "dead worlds" mentioned when they are traveling using those portals? It would explain a lot of the things that happen around Rand after he returns from Dragonmount with his new inner peace. IMO, it seems obvious that we have some equivalent to The Fates... which would explain a lot of the other things that happen, like people surviving when they shouldn't, and vice versa... and Mat's luck. The Fates, lending a helping hand to their champions. In theory, The Fates would be "in charge" of the Heroes of the Horn... and the ones controlling when they were reborn... and probably even the ones who made the rules that Brigitte referred to. Which would of course also make Rand THEIR champion, too...
Great video as always!! I too have always felt that Nakomi is an agent or avatar of the Creator. In addition to the yin/yang balancing aspect of the Creator's representation in Nakomi, there is also the whole "women are literal creators of life." As for proof, there isn't any for any of the theories, which is why it still generates so much speculation even now, nearly 10 years after MoL.
I don't think Nakomi is an avatar of the Creator... or an agent, as such, either. We've got a Creator... and the Dark One... We've got something similar, at least, to The Fates. I think Nakomi IS Gaia. We've got the ancient Aiel following The Way of the LEAF... which would logically give her a connection to them... an affection... and thus it's not a stretch for her to have an interest in, even affection for their modern descendants... including both Rand and Aviendha. Even more, if the Dark One wins, "Gaia" would die, too... and thus Rand would be her champion, as well. It would EASILY explain things like food growing when it's needed, even finding lost treasures... including the Horn, the Banner, the Eye of the World, as well as the gold found when it was needed... and even the way the Eye of the World is where it needs to be... but NOT where it was before... the way it moves. More, it would explain the Green Men, Ogier, and perhaps even steddings... and the way that forest of avendesora grew... both the method and the reason.
Nakomi is Egwene. Just like balefire burns threds out of the pattern, the flame of tar valon heals it and let's a person heal the pattern, even in the future. This allowing her to appear when needed in the past with Avi and with Rand in the future at the end. This also is why she looks Aiel, but not really, knows wise ones, and can't channel because she is just a part of the pattern now.
@@RandWoT222 Not "mother" because she is/was Amyrlin... as "thehoogard" pointed out, Sanderson said we hadn't seen Nakomi in a different form. No... "Mother" as in... "MOTHER Earth"... Gaia... who we haven't seen in a different form... but we HAVE seen CONSIDERABLE evidence that such a being/goddess might exist... the Green Men, the Ogier, the steddings, the Way of the Leaf, the ancient Aiel... and thus an interest in their modern descendants... the way the apple trees bloomed and fruited... the growth of the avendesora forest... and even more, the Dragon, the Dragon Reborn, Amarisu... would logically be HER champions as well as the champions of The Fates' equivalent(s).
EXCELLENT VIDEO!! I started screaming when I saw that hint from Harriet and when you started breaking it down. I didn't know about any of that!!! She absolutely is his paternal grandmother. The last embrace of the mother is cross culturally generic for mother earth. But I wouldn't be surprised if TLRR changed her over time into an avatar of the "mother" of the land.. but not in the way your thinking.
Nakomi is Rand's Paternal Grandmother... Janduin's mother. She was a Wiseone apprentice, when she was called to Ruidean, passed through the first Ter'An'Greal, she was shown her future paths (as Moiraine and all the other WiseOne apprentices had experienced). This guided her to NOT return to the Wise Ones, and to remain a phantom until she meets her future daughter-in-law so she can guide the Aiel out of the path of annihilation, and also to use her forbidden skills in dream walking in the flesh to save her grandson the Car'a'carn while he was in Shaoghul as the forsaken tell us that there are things that can only be done there where the pattern is so very weak. Aiel custom is to forget the person if they fail in to return from Rhuidean by custom. Aiel do not break custom as we see with the gaishain refusing to put off the white. Bair skillfully obfuscates the truth when she is compelled by custom to deny that she knows that name. She shrouds it in un-useful facts about the name, then follows custom by saying she knows no one of that name. If Nakomi had returned to the Aiel she would have had the knowledge of dream walking in the flesh forced from her by the brutal training she would have received. Nakomi was probably the MOST skillful of all the Dream walkers in the past two ages.
@@illogicerr3769 I do believe you are correct that she held that title, and I do believe that is where Jordan got that name to apply to Lanfear (JMO). However, Jordan mixes and matches parts of fables and myths. So while I acknowledge your observation of this bit, I don't think it spoils my theory, it is just an element that Jordan used in two different locations in two different ways. Thanks for reminding me of this bit though... I remember finding this and considering Lanfear, but Brandon Sanderson confirmed that Lanfear was truly dead (Killed by Perrin in Tel'aran'riod, so Nakomi cannot be Lanfear.
Nakomi= Mother Nature./Saidar.. The female half of The True Source Embodied to make sure the Pattern is protected and the Wheel keeps turning....I got this from the same source you got the Hiawatha from.... Me & a few friends went back & forth on it... Being that both Rand & Avi were in TAR...Rand was there in the flesh and was walking out with Moridin, that's where he encountered Nakomi... Avi was sleep....I first got the theory when Perrin was going "in the flesh" and could shift (Like a Gateway) because Jur Grady was incredulous when he showed up bringing Gaul out...TAR never got "worked out" by BS because of Time constraints...... I absolute LOVE this one though... SOOOO on point... You did ya Homework & put together a better than 1st class video....'My Compliments to the Chef...Chefs Kiss'.......
He lookex to me exactly like my grandfather when he was trying not to laugh at something I said that I thought was so smart (being about 9). Then I reviewed the video again and came up with this. Jordan liked the name from the poem and used it for a character in the book. Not exciting but does nicely fits all the evidence. Either way we will know soon and I'm very excited.
Hi! Loved the video. Can't wait to find out who Nakomi is. One question tho, when did we learn that Ameresu is the female version of the champion of the light?
Good question. I'll find it and reply later tomorrow. I can't find it today, but you can search the theoryland.com interview search database to find it if I forget to respond!
Great video again thanks Lauren. I have to agree that some sort of an avatar of light feels right. In a world of balance there has to be a counter point to Shaidar Haran. Also her relatively light touch appearances in the story mirror the actions of the Creator campared to the Dark One. Right or wrong it works as a theory.
I hope you do a video about Nicola's Foretelling: "The lion sword, the dedicated spear, she who sees beyond. Three on the boat, and he who is dead yet lives. The great battle done, but the world not done with battle. The land divided by the return, and the guardians balance the servants. The future teeters on the edge of a blade." I always thought it meant Elayne, Avienda, Min, and Rand on a seanchan boat after the last battle. Did Jordan plan to continue the story beyond the last battle?
Yes, he was going to do some "outrigger" novels that were going to focus on Mat and the Seanchan, but there weren't really any notes about it so it will likely never happen.
I always thought that was describing the end we got tbh...,...the gaurdians being the Aiel keeping an eye on the Aes Sedai as the servants.,.,...to me it just summed up the end of the book and the future as Rand did his best to influence it......
Very cool video! Also, where is the link to the reddit comment? I cannot find it and I want to know more about it. How is it that Amaresu is the female version of the Champion of the Light?
@@UnravelingthePattern Thanks! It really is a very interesting theory, it probably is the one I like more... but as someone points out in Reddit, Brandon Sanderson says we haven't seen Nakomi before, so I tend to think that the right theory is your favorite. PS: I don't normally interact in the social media, but I just want to add that I really like the effort that you put in your videos. In this era of quick videos where the only thing that matters is to be the first one, it is really nice to see high quality videos where every detail is important. It is very easy to see that you put a lot of effort in every one of them. Congratulations!! My best regards from the other side of the ocean.
My theory for years is that there was someone named Ann that RJ cared for and was maybe concerned about how she would handle his passing so he hid a secret message in the book Nakomi or I’m ok Ann. Doesn’t answer who she is but that’s been my take since memory of light came out and I finished it
Before watching this.. I say she is Rands Paternal Grandmother. Master dreamwalker. Master of Rhuidean. It explains why she randomly appears and disappears. Her clan likley thought she died there... but she never left. OK clicking play now.
I agree with you. I always thought that she represented Mother Nature. I do agree that we have only "seen" her twice but we have " heard" from her one other time. At the end of EOTW, the Creator told Rand he would take no part only the choosen one can do it. If he Will. Than, " through the midst as if from the other end of the world a Voice "AND THE LIGHT WILLS IT"". This voice was Nakomi. jmo
My theory... Nakomi is a Gaia-figure... she IS "Mother Earth", in corporeal form. In this sense, she is "everyone's mother" (or grandmother). She would know the customs of all peoples. In corporeal form, she might have a "human body"... and thus have a "home"... perhaps like the Eye of the World, and thus be far from IT... while still being close. She would likely have the ability to "manifest" anywhere, and thus be able to "sneak up" on even an Aiel. As a Gaia, she would be similar to the Creator, the Pattern, the Wheel... but not actually BE any of those things. She would likely have a close affinity with the Da'shain Aiel and Jenn Aiel, the Way of the LEAF... and likely their descendants, as well... and almost certainly the steddings. So, we know from the first book that the Ogier are similar to the Green Men... say... a step closer to Gaia herself. At one point, I forget when, Rand causes a forest of... avendesora (?) to grow... "sacred trees". Presumably, this would "get her attention". So... for something much less "tangible"... RJ's universe has a Creator and a Dark One... It has a "Wheel of Time"... sort of like a Chronos-substitute. It has a "Pattern", "Age Lace"... not unlike the 3 sisters/Fates of multiple mythologies. The Fates could easily explain something like tel'aranrhiod, the Heroes of the Horn, etc... "spinning" them out when they are needed... and might well also be the ones who "maintain" the rules of tel'aranrhiod... unless it suits them to "turn a blind eye". Logically, Gaia would be at least somewhat of an ally to The Fates... since "she" would be the home to The Fates' Heroes of the Horn, etc... (when alive)... and thus it wouldn't be a stretch to think that she might know what Rand needs to do in that scene. Likewise, if there's no universe, there's no Earth, either. There is also the manipulation of Time... being able to see the past, future, etc... slowing time at Rhuidean, the Prophecies... and if The Fates have some equivalent being or force, and similar to the Greek or Roman mythologies (as opposed to Norse), then it would even explain Jordan's choice of terms... "spinning" them out... "The Wheel WEAVES as the Wheel wills." etc. Spinning wheel? So... putting it all together... We've got manipulation of Time, "The Wheel of Time"... some kind of equivalent to Chronos We've got the Age Lace, Pattern... Heroes of the Horn... SOME kind of equivalent to The Fates. We've got Ogier, Green Men, steddings, avendesora, The Way of the LEAF... the Ogiers' "tree singing", "sung wood", etc. SOME kind of equivalent to Gaia might even explain how those things, like food, gold, etc., "magically" appear when Rand needs them... "Gaia" helping out when/how she can, since "her" own "life" depends on his success, too. It might even go a ways to explaining how the Eye of the World is where it needs to be... and even the ancient Aes Sedai being closely served by the ancient Aiel. Hell, now that I think about it... there are those "DEAD WORLDS" mentioned at several places in the books.
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Did they ever explain or reveal what the Booming voice was, speaking to Rand at the end of the first book, because I had assumed it had to be the Creator. As for Nakomi, I think it would be interesting if she was either some Third being, representing Mother Nature, and a sort of guardian of the Dragon, or she is his female Counterpart, and they sort of just both serve at different times, in different Ages.
What about being from a parallelle Universe? I.e. through one of those gate-stones (or whatever they are called?). Makes you think about the "my home is near, yet far", comment.
didn't Padan Fain become something that could essentially be another version of a dark one during the last battle? Could she basically be the Lights version of that? to my mind that would make the mother earth theory plausible, because i seem to remember that the idea that she was the creator was shot down but if she became a good version of Fain?
We've got a Creator... the Dark One... We SEEM to have something like a Chronos... Ruidean having a slower rate of time. I'd say that we DEFINITELY have something like The Fates... Why not a Gaia, too?
I can dig it, I definitely think it's the avatar cause the dark one is always forcing and interfering. Nakomi is guiding and hard to find. The opposite
She can't be the Creator, because the Creator DID speak at Shayol Ghul- as he was approaching the tunnel- 'IT IS TIME, LET THE TASK...'. The Creator's voice was simaler to the Dark One's (presented in all caps- the only time that is used in the series is in this instance and when the Dark One speaks to Demandred, and Moghedian- and when he argued with Rand in the pit- I think that's all, anyway, not counting Shidar Haran)... And I thought the Dark One was genderless, despite how he is adressed/described by various people.
I believe nakomi is A physical expression of the one power itself based on the specific things she says and does like the food cooking fast and then disappearing. What do you think about this
Interesting theory for sure! It feels more like the World of Dreams than anything we've seen the OP do before, and Aviendha specifically mentions that she can't sense the OP in Nakomi... but still, I like it!
@@cameroncharles3294 I've said elsewhere that I think Nakomi is the equivalent to Gaia... but it's possible that she's an equivalent to The Fates. I think BOTH exist in Jordan's universe... but Gaia makes more sense to me... slightly more.
RJ loved to play with names… Is it too far off to suggest Amarisu took her name from A Mary Sue, not that she actually would have been the trope, but in a story of her, she could have….
@@hybridhavoc If Amarisu is a play on "a Mary Sue", then wouldn't a goddess fit? Instead of Amaterasu, I'm thinking more along the lines of Gaia or one of The Fates, like Lachesis.
I always thought that Nakomi is Gaia. The mother AND the pattern. You are pretty much describing that in your theory and I agree. I also do not want them to tell us! I don’t think your author was confirming your theory. I think he was barely listening. He heard you say “Nakomi” and immediately his lips clamped together and his eyes glazed over. He just shut down. Nope! Not going there, he was thinking as he grey rocked you.
Jenn Aiel hunt and eat meat. In the glass pillars, the first fighting Aiel rationalize taking a spear because it can be used to hunt. Nakomi can’t be Tigraine, Tigraine died. Also Tigraine doesn’t look like the Aiel.
@Day to an Aiel, Tigraine would look nothing like an Aiel. In war, Tam saw her uniform and her hair. Presumed she was Aiel, also he was distracted by the immediacy of the baby.
@@hybridhavoc you must be talking about how Amazon pays for armies of fake positive reviews and to bribe TH-cam content creators for positive coverage. You know Amazon right? The multi billion dollar corporation that actually has the nearly unlimited amounts of money to do the very thing you are suggesting and indeed does exactly that.
You were doing so good, then that screen cap appeared from the Amazon abomination and totally bummed me out and reminded me WoT is being destroyed just like Tolkien was. At least the Tolkien fandom has more spine and isn't taking this destruction lying down. #RipWoT
@@UnravelingthePattern I believe this person isn’t a fan of the show; so they have to shitpost it everywhere instead of just not watching it and leaving the rest of us to take some enjoyment from it.
@@UnravelingthePattern I feel as though if you have enough hatred in your body for a show on TV, that you feel the need to spread that hatred to others, instead of just moving on, you’ve got some sort of issues you need to work through. I dislike a few things probably just as strongly as that person dislikes Amazon’s adaptation, but posting about it on the internet does nothing for me except put me deeper and deeper into an algorithm generated echo chamber.
@@UnravelingthePattern it's called capitalism and democracy. If you don't cry against propaganda you participate and promote it. If you accept any product for your money you approve of the product bought and giving a bad rep is an option to affect the product you dislike when you can't get your money back. There is also plain fanaticism which has nothing to do with mental or emotional disorders, that is unless you consider all religious people as mentally disordered. I wish you good luck, health and success.
What hooked me solidly on my theory has to do with Rand thinking the cigar to be lit, and it was. Nakomi also seems to manifest items out of nowhere and cook the most amazing meal in minutes (where it should have been many hours just to cook such hardy food).
Therefore I have always felt that Nakomi was the ‘equivalent’ to whatever Rand turned into, but from a prior iteration/turning. Perhaps they are avatars, but I think it is meant to be something unknown to the reader. I believe that Rand’s new pattern manipulating powers means he won’t be affected by ageing lest he chooses to be, and if Nakomi is the same, then she felt a responsibility to remain on Earth without being an influence until the next Dark One event came forth and she could be there to help. I also see Rand doing the same for the next turning.
Cool theory. I always took the end of the series magic to be the unlocking of the wheel's power to change events, manifested in Rand. But I never thought about it this much. Maybe it's like you say, but that both he and Nakomi, are human manifestations of the Wheel. In her case, perhaps at a moment where there were no other humans nearby to influence, so the wheel showed itself, in a way.
I almost don’t want to know who she is but then I think I totally do! So conflicted!
Same!
My theory is based on the idea that the hero of the age loses the power to channel after the last battle. But they have proven that they have the strength of will to handle an even more powerful ability. They carry the abilities from the World of Dreams into this world. Rand wants his pipe to be lit. So it is lit. No saidin was required. I think that past Dragons wander the world as "fixers" for the pattern. They may be able to move between worlds easily. The other part of this theory is that Nakomi was the equivalent of a past version of the Dragon. In the current turning of the wheel it was Saidin that was contaminated by the Dark One. I wonder if it could sometimes be Saidar that is contaminated. In that case the equivalent of the Dragon would end up being a female. I think Nakomi was the heroine of the last turning of the wheel.
I love this theory and should've brought it up. This is my second favorite theory!
Mine as well. They become part of the pattern in a different way. Co-creators you might say.
And I really like the idea that in the previous cycles (7 turns) of the wheel, it was saidar that was tainted.
If I recall when the wheel needs to spin a female hero equivalent to the dragon it spins Amaresu. So she could be a former Amaresu, I was thinking recently that if Olver would use the Horn again would the Dragon be also summoned.
This is a great one
I love it! I agree that Nakomi is likely "the mother" in the phrase "and may the last embrace of the mother welcome you home." What also fits with Aviendha's encounter where she says that she must tend to nature is the notion that she is what we, in either an age yet to come or long past, referred to as "Mother Nature". We know that our myths and legends are the realities of their world, while the realities of our world serve as their myths and legends, so it's not impossible to conceive that the woman we encounter as Nakomi is an avatar of what we would call Mother Nature.
I’m on the side that Nakomi is the light-equivalent of shadar Haran
Never thought of it that way that's great
Agreed!!!! I think it's the creator taking a more direct hand
how about the Light-version of Fain from a past turning of the wheel?
aaaaand it's confirmed
8:06 How you know that you are WAY too nice: you pre-emptively defend a decision that needed no defense. 😁
Loved the video!
I have always thought that Nakomi was one of the Aes Sedai that we see with the wagons during Rand’s
trip through the glass columns. I think that they gave their life essences to keep Rhuidean protected and when that protection was lifted their spirits were freed. In light of the comment from Harriet that Nakomi was linked to “The Song of Highawatha” I theorize that Nakomi was actually Rand’s many times great-grandmother. We know that in the AoL Aes Sedai routinely married and had children, so it is not too far fetched. It also could be why she showed herself to Rand and the mother of Rand’s children. She had a vested interest in their fates.
Love that idea.
I think that Nakomi COULD be AN ancient Aes Sedai... but NOT one of the ones we saw... because of Sanderson's comment that we've never seen her in a different guise.
i definitely agree with your favorite theory! it seems to hold the most weight and is very in line with RJ's "balance of opposites" theme through the series!
In my headcanon, Nakomi is Hoid in disguise until proven otherwise (and yes, I know Harriet would never allow it, but it is the funniest option to me).
Although we know she can't be the creator's avatar, because that's Bela. 🐴
Alright but what if Hoid is Nakomi in disguise? Harriet has no say.
I love Bela.
Perhaps an avatar of the wheel itself, at a dire moment when no other humans were present, to influence.
Awesome video! Your content continually reminds me why I love the Wheel of Time.
Fantastic video! So well produced and thought out. I missed the Sanderson reveal, so this was a great video to get a sense of the theory landscape before finding out. Thanks mate 🙂
Just thought of some evidence for the time traveling Aviendha theory. Aviendha specifies that she can't detect the talent in Nakomi, but somehow she knows she's a wise one. What are the odds that a channeler would be able to detect *their own body* if it can channel? I'd say it's likely they wouldn't be able to detect it if a mirror of themself was present because you can't effect yourself with the power. Maybe on some level Aviendha recognized the subtle tells of a channeler in Nakomis in other ways like you see throughout the series with other characters.
Oooh! I love that!
The girls know a weave which hides their talent.
But then why didn’t Avi see any family resemblance? An ancient Avi should look like a grandmother, great aunt, or other.
@@UnravelingthePattern We've seen Aviendha in other guises in the books, so Sanderson's comment would seem to rule out the possibility that Nakomi is Aviendha.
That doesn't mean that Aviendha is NOT doing SOME kind of time travel, though.
My own theory is that Nakomi is a Gaia figure... an actual equivalent, not a mere champion. In a way, her "champions" would be the Green Men, Ogier... her servants/clergy would be ancient Aiel... her symbols avendesora... and things "magically appearing" when they are needed, like edible food (including meat), gold, etc... the growing of the forest... her own "little" ways of helping out, without ruining the story... and especially since she only appears near/at the end.
Logically, she might well have some kind of special affection for the modern descendants of the ancient Aiel... and might easily be expected to know their ways and customs... and some care for their future, as well.
For that matter, if the Dark One wins, Gaia would die, too... and thus Rand would be HER champion, as the DR, as well as a descendant of the/"her" Aiel.
Remember the "dead worlds" mentioned when they are traveling using those portals?
It would explain a lot of the things that happen around Rand after he returns from Dragonmount with his new inner peace.
IMO, it seems obvious that we have some equivalent to The Fates... which would explain a lot of the other things that happen, like people surviving when they shouldn't, and vice versa... and Mat's luck.
The Fates, lending a helping hand to their champions.
In theory, The Fates would be "in charge" of the Heroes of the Horn... and the ones controlling when they were reborn... and probably even the ones who made the rules that Brigitte referred to.
Which would of course also make Rand THEIR champion, too...
Great video as always!! I too have always felt that Nakomi is an agent or avatar of the Creator. In addition to the yin/yang balancing aspect of the Creator's representation in Nakomi, there is also the whole "women are literal creators of life." As for proof, there isn't any for any of the theories, which is why it still generates so much speculation even now, nearly 10 years after MoL.
I don't think Nakomi is an avatar of the Creator... or an agent, as such, either.
We've got a Creator... and the Dark One...
We've got something similar, at least, to The Fates.
I think Nakomi IS Gaia.
We've got the ancient Aiel following The Way of the LEAF... which would logically give her a connection to them... an affection... and thus it's not a stretch for her to have an interest in, even affection for their modern descendants... including both Rand and Aviendha.
Even more, if the Dark One wins, "Gaia" would die, too... and thus Rand would be her champion, as well.
It would EASILY explain things like food growing when it's needed, even finding lost treasures... including the Horn, the Banner, the Eye of the World, as well as the gold found when it was needed... and even the way the Eye of the World is where it needs to be... but NOT where it was before... the way it moves.
More, it would explain the Green Men, Ogier, and perhaps even steddings...
and the way that forest of avendesora grew... both the method and the reason.
Nakomi is Egwene. Just like balefire burns threds out of the pattern, the flame of tar valon heals it and let's a person heal the pattern, even in the future. This allowing her to appear when needed in the past with Avi and with Rand in the future at the end. This also is why she looks Aiel, but not really, knows wise ones, and can't channel because she is just a part of the pattern now.
Also mother would be from her being the Amyrlin!
Egwene is part of the pattern now.
But Sanderson said we haven't seen Nakomi in another form, so that would rule this out.
@@RandWoT222 Not "mother" because she is/was Amyrlin... as "thehoogard" pointed out, Sanderson said we hadn't seen Nakomi in a different form.
No... "Mother" as in... "MOTHER Earth"... Gaia... who we haven't seen in a different form... but we HAVE seen CONSIDERABLE evidence that such a being/goddess might exist... the Green Men, the Ogier, the steddings, the Way of the Leaf, the ancient Aiel... and thus an interest in their modern descendants... the way the apple trees bloomed and fruited... the growth of the avendesora forest... and even more, the Dragon, the Dragon Reborn, Amarisu... would logically be HER champions as well as the champions of The Fates' equivalent(s).
Here is a nice 4th wall one for you : Nakomi is Harriet included in the books, telling Brandon that yes this is what he must do to end the series. :)
Thanks for posting this ❣
EXCELLENT VIDEO!! I started screaming when I saw that hint from Harriet and when you started breaking it down. I didn't know about any of that!!! She absolutely is his paternal grandmother. The last embrace of the mother is cross culturally generic for mother earth. But I wouldn't be surprised if TLRR changed her over time into an avatar of the "mother" of the land.. but not in the way your thinking.
I love this Lauren - great summary
Nakomi is Rand's Paternal Grandmother... Janduin's mother. She was a Wiseone apprentice, when she was called to Ruidean, passed through the first Ter'An'Greal, she was shown her future paths (as Moiraine and all the other WiseOne apprentices had experienced). This guided her to NOT return to the Wise Ones, and to remain a phantom until she meets her future daughter-in-law so she can guide the Aiel out of the path of annihilation, and also to use her forbidden skills in dream walking in the flesh to save her grandson the Car'a'carn while he was in Shaoghul as the forsaken tell us that there are things that can only be done there where the pattern is so very weak. Aiel custom is to forget the person if they fail in to return from Rhuidean by custom. Aiel do not break custom as we see with the gaishain refusing to put off the white. Bair skillfully obfuscates the truth when she is compelled by custom to deny that she knows that name. She shrouds it in un-useful facts about the name, then follows custom by saying she knows no one of that name. If Nakomi had returned to the Aiel she would have had the knowledge of dream walking in the flesh forced from her by the brutal training she would have received. Nakomi was probably the MOST skillful of all the Dream walkers in the past two ages.
Also Nakomis was Hiawatha's grandmother's name.
@@Hawkido I'll have to re-read Hiawatha but I remember Nakomis was named Daughter of the Moon, for what that's worth.
@@illogicerr3769 I do believe you are correct that she held that title, and I do believe that is where Jordan got that name to apply to Lanfear (JMO). However, Jordan mixes and matches parts of fables and myths. So while I acknowledge your observation of this bit, I don't think it spoils my theory, it is just an element that Jordan used in two different locations in two different ways. Thanks for reminding me of this bit though... I remember finding this and considering Lanfear, but Brandon Sanderson confirmed that Lanfear was truly dead (Killed by Perrin in Tel'aran'riod, so Nakomi cannot be Lanfear.
Nakomi= Mother Nature./Saidar.. The female half of The True Source Embodied to make sure the Pattern is protected and the Wheel keeps turning....I got this from the same source you got the Hiawatha from.... Me & a few friends went back & forth on it... Being that both Rand & Avi were in TAR...Rand was there in the flesh and was walking out with Moridin, that's where he encountered Nakomi... Avi was sleep....I first got the theory when Perrin was going "in the flesh" and could shift (Like a Gateway) because Jur Grady was incredulous when he showed up bringing Gaul out...TAR never got "worked out" by BS because of Time constraints...... I absolute LOVE this one though... SOOOO on point... You did ya Homework & put together a better than 1st class video....'My Compliments to the Chef...Chefs Kiss'.......
If nakomi is the embodiment of saidar then who's the embodiment of saidin ?
Doesn't really matter... She is "Mother Nature"....They don't have to show the flip side.... RJ ca could do whatever he wanted to....@@noblebillybat
He lookex to me exactly like my grandfather when he was trying not to laugh at something I said that I thought was so smart (being about 9). Then I reviewed the video again and came up with this.
Jordan liked the name from the poem and used it for a character in the book. Not exciting but does nicely fits all the evidence. Either way we will know soon and I'm very excited.
Hi! Loved the video. Can't wait to find out who Nakomi is.
One question tho, when did we learn that Ameresu is the female version of the champion of the light?
Good question. I'll find it and reply later tomorrow. I can't find it today, but you can search the theoryland.com interview search database to find it if I forget to respond!
I think so tooooo Lauren!!!!! I love the idea she is The Creator in mortal form.
Great theory! I like it a lot. I’ve always been in favor of her being a hero of the horn, but I like yours better 😊
Great video as always.
Great video again thanks Lauren.
I have to agree that some sort of an avatar of light feels right. In a world of balance there has to be a counter point to Shaidar Haran. Also her relatively light touch appearances in the story mirror the actions of the Creator campared to the Dark One. Right or wrong it works as a theory.
Great vid as always Lauren!
Her name is very American Indian. I think she is a spirit woman who is 1000’s of years old
I hope you do a video about Nicola's Foretelling: "The lion sword, the dedicated spear, she who sees beyond. Three on the boat, and he who is dead yet lives. The great battle done, but the world not done with battle. The land divided by the return, and the guardians balance the servants. The future teeters on the edge of a blade." I always thought it meant Elayne, Avienda, Min, and Rand on a seanchan boat after the last battle. Did Jordan plan to continue the story beyond the last battle?
Yes, he was going to do some "outrigger" novels that were going to focus on Mat and the Seanchan, but there weren't really any notes about it so it will likely never happen.
I always thought that was describing the end we got tbh...,...the gaurdians being the Aiel keeping an eye on the Aes Sedai as the servants.,.,...to me it just summed up the end of the book and the future as Rand did his best to influence it......
Very cool video! Also, where is the link to the reddit comment? I cannot find it and I want to know more about it. How is it that Amaresu is the female version of the Champion of the Light?
Thanks for the reminder! I knew I was forgetting something. I'll put it in first thing tomorrow!
I added the link!
@@UnravelingthePattern Thanks! It really is a very interesting theory, it probably is the one I like more... but as someone points out in Reddit, Brandon Sanderson says we haven't seen Nakomi before, so I tend to think that the right theory is your favorite.
PS: I don't normally interact in the social media, but I just want to add that I really like the effort that you put in your videos. In this era of quick videos where the only thing that matters is to be the first one, it is really nice to see high quality videos where every detail is important. It is very easy to see that you put a lot of effort in every one of them. Congratulations!! My best regards from the other side of the ocean.
@@juliojuanes2483 thank you so much!🥰
My theory for years is that there was someone named Ann that RJ cared for and was maybe concerned about how she would handle his passing so he hid a secret message in the book Nakomi or I’m ok Ann. Doesn’t answer who she is but that’s been my take since memory of light came out and I finished it
Before watching this.. I say she is Rands Paternal Grandmother. Master dreamwalker. Master of Rhuidean. It explains why she randomly appears and disappears. Her clan likley thought she died there... but she never left. OK clicking play now.
I agree with you. I always thought that she represented Mother Nature. I do agree that we have only "seen" her twice but we have " heard" from her one other time.
At the end of EOTW, the Creator told Rand he would take no part only the choosen one can do it. If he Will. Than, " through the midst as if from the other end of the world a Voice "AND THE LIGHT WILLS IT"". This voice was Nakomi. jmo
Interesting! I assumed that was the voice of someone on the battle field at Tarwin's Gap, but I like this explanation better!
Great as always. Just a little nitpick ToM isn't book 12.
Haha, I don't count CoT I guess 😉
My theory...
Nakomi is a Gaia-figure... she IS "Mother Earth", in corporeal form.
In this sense, she is "everyone's mother" (or grandmother).
She would know the customs of all peoples.
In corporeal form, she might have a "human body"... and thus have a "home"... perhaps like the Eye of the World, and thus be far from IT... while still being close.
She would likely have the ability to "manifest" anywhere, and thus be able to "sneak up" on even an Aiel.
As a Gaia, she would be similar to the Creator, the Pattern, the Wheel... but not actually BE any of those things.
She would likely have a close affinity with the Da'shain Aiel and Jenn Aiel, the Way of the LEAF... and likely their descendants, as well...
and almost certainly the steddings.
So, we know from the first book that the Ogier are similar to the Green Men... say... a step closer to Gaia herself.
At one point, I forget when, Rand causes a forest of... avendesora (?) to grow... "sacred trees".
Presumably, this would "get her attention".
So... for something much less "tangible"...
RJ's universe has a Creator and a Dark One...
It has a "Wheel of Time"... sort of like a Chronos-substitute.
It has a "Pattern", "Age Lace"... not unlike the 3 sisters/Fates of multiple mythologies.
The Fates could easily explain something like tel'aranrhiod, the Heroes of the Horn, etc... "spinning" them out when they are needed... and might well also be the ones who "maintain" the rules of tel'aranrhiod... unless it suits them to "turn a blind eye".
Logically, Gaia would be at least somewhat of an ally to The Fates... since "she" would be the home to The Fates' Heroes of the Horn, etc... (when alive)... and thus it wouldn't be a stretch to think that she might know what Rand needs to do in that scene.
Likewise, if there's no universe, there's no Earth, either.
There is also the manipulation of Time... being able to see the past, future, etc... slowing time at Rhuidean, the Prophecies... and if The Fates have some equivalent being or force, and similar to the Greek or Roman mythologies (as opposed to Norse), then it would even explain Jordan's choice of terms... "spinning" them out... "The Wheel WEAVES as the Wheel wills." etc. Spinning wheel?
So... putting it all together...
We've got manipulation of Time, "The Wheel of Time"... some kind of equivalent to Chronos
We've got the Age Lace, Pattern... Heroes of the Horn... SOME kind of equivalent to The Fates.
We've got Ogier, Green Men, steddings, avendesora, The Way of the LEAF... the Ogiers' "tree singing", "sung wood", etc.
SOME kind of equivalent to Gaia might even explain how those things, like food, gold, etc., "magically" appear when Rand needs them... "Gaia" helping out when/how she can, since "her" own "life" depends on his success, too.
It might even go a ways to explaining how the Eye of the World is where it needs to be... and even the ancient Aes Sedai being closely served by the ancient Aiel.
Hell, now that I think about it... there are those "DEAD WORLDS" mentioned at several places in the books.
Awesome comment! All really good points!
I hope they make a show for this series someday.
Lol
I would love to see them do an adaptation... One day maybe...
your last theory and my theory are basically the same dude, your eloquence far surpasses my meager intellect however :-)
I think you nailed it.
Nakomi is Bela, Bela is Nakomi
Yup. That’s it! And Bella is Gaia.
ToM is book 13, not 12. Whoops!
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Did they ever explain or reveal what the Booming voice was, speaking to Rand at the end of the first book, because I had assumed it had to be the Creator. As for Nakomi, I think it would be interesting if she was either some Third being, representing Mother Nature, and a sort of guardian of the Dragon, or she is his female Counterpart, and they sort of just both serve at different times, in different Ages.
I don't think they ever said who the voice is, but I still believe it was either the Creator or Nakomi.
Pretty sure it was the creator speaking to Rand. It does pop up right before Rand enters the battle with the dark one telling hin hes done a good job.
good job
I'm convinced by your theory😍
Yess! I'll probably be proven wrong soon, but I like the idea!
I love your theory - both Arthurian and the Native American notes - fantastic and timely video topic - tai'shar
What about being from a parallelle Universe? I.e. through one of those gate-stones (or whatever they are called?). Makes you think about the "my home is near, yet far", comment.
Maybe she is the daughter of the moon, like her namesake in the Hiawatha.
didn't Padan Fain become something that could essentially be another version of a dark one during the last battle? Could she basically be the Lights version of that? to my mind that would make the mother earth theory plausible, because i seem to remember that the idea that she was the creator was shot down but if she became a good version of Fain?
We've got a Creator... the Dark One...
We SEEM to have something like a Chronos... Ruidean having a slower rate of time.
I'd say that we DEFINITELY have something like The Fates...
Why not a Gaia, too?
I can dig it, I definitely think it's the avatar cause the dark one is always forcing and interfering. Nakomi is guiding and hard to find. The opposite
Positive comment
She can't be the Creator, because the Creator DID speak at Shayol Ghul- as he was approaching the tunnel- 'IT IS TIME, LET THE TASK...'.
The Creator's voice was simaler to the Dark One's (presented in all caps- the only time that is used in the series is in this instance and when the Dark One speaks to Demandred, and Moghedian- and when he argued with Rand in the pit- I think that's all, anyway, not counting Shidar Haran)...
And I thought the Dark One was genderless, despite how he is adressed/described by various people.
We don't know with 100% certainty that the Creator spoke. Could've been the Wheel or Pattern... but I agree with you it was probably the Creator.
I believe nakomi is A physical expression of the one power itself based on the specific things she says and does like the food cooking fast and then disappearing. What do you think about this
Interesting theory for sure! It feels more like the World of Dreams than anything we've seen the OP do before, and Aviendha specifically mentions that she can't sense the OP in Nakomi... but still, I like it!
I was also thinking she is the physical expression or manifestation in this third age of the wheel itself...what you think about this.
@@cameroncharles3294 I like that theory as well.
@@cameroncharles3294 I've said elsewhere that I think Nakomi is the equivalent to Gaia... but it's possible that she's an equivalent to The Fates.
I think BOTH exist in Jordan's universe... but Gaia makes more sense to me... slightly more.
To go with the theory that the wheel is a computer and the dark one is a virus, nakomi is the computers anti virus
"...very odd, likely .... Tel'aran'rhiODD"?
What I want to know is who is Silvie who took Egwene out of the Dreamworld the first time 🤔
Lanfear
RJ loved to play with names… Is it too far off to suggest Amarisu took her name from A Mary Sue, not that she actually would have been the trope, but in a story of her, she could have….
Haha, I was literally just saying that to someone the other day! I totally think that was intentional!
I think it's generally believed to be based on Amaterasu, the Japanese Sun goddess
@@hybridhavoc If Amarisu is a play on "a Mary Sue", then wouldn't a goddess fit? Instead of Amaterasu, I'm thinking more along the lines of Gaia or one of The Fates, like Lachesis.
Moiriaine - herself is named for the three fates Moirai
I assume the book is out by now... so who did she turn out to be?
RAFO!
@@UnravelingthePattern 😭
If you travel very far on the East/West axis, the sun *would* change its place in the sky between gateways. I do not think Aviendha can time travel.
I always thought that Nakomi is Gaia. The mother AND the pattern. You are pretty much describing that in your theory and I agree. I also do not want them to tell us!
I don’t think your author was confirming your theory. I think he was barely listening. He heard you say “Nakomi” and immediately his lips clamped together and his eyes glazed over. He just shut down. Nope! Not going there, he was thinking as he grey rocked you.
Haha, you're probably right about the author interview! We'll know soon!
Jenn Aiel hunt and eat meat. In the glass pillars, the first fighting Aiel rationalize taking a spear because it can be used to hunt.
Nakomi can’t be Tigraine, Tigraine died. Also Tigraine doesn’t look like the Aiel.
@Day to an Aiel, Tigraine would look nothing like an Aiel. In war, Tam saw her uniform and her hair. Presumed she was Aiel, also he was distracted by the immediacy of the baby.
Wrong wrong WRONG! Obviously, Nakomi is one of the Blue Wizards or Maia.🧙
Nakomi is WOT Tom Bombadil.
Anybody read the Livingston book?
Pretty sure Nakomi is Obi-Wan Kenobi.
I think Nakomi is Bela reincarnated!
Shit I don't even remember a Nakomi what book did she first come in?
It's all mentioned in the video... but she first appears in Towers of Midnight, book 13.
Nakomi is the Creators wife, it is known.
Yay new stuff about the actual Wheel of Time by Robert Jordan and not the disastrous, butchered joke of an adaptation by Amazon.
Do you ever feel like you have been conscripted into some sort of biological spam bot army? Or perhaps not biological at all?
@@hybridhavoc Beep beep, boop boop.
@@hybridhavoc you must be talking about how Amazon pays for armies of fake positive reviews and to bribe TH-cam content creators for positive coverage. You know Amazon right? The multi billion dollar corporation that actually has the nearly unlimited amounts of money to do the very thing you are suggesting and indeed does exactly that.
You were doing so good, then that screen cap appeared from the Amazon abomination and totally bummed me out and reminded me WoT is being destroyed just like Tolkien was.
At least the Tolkien fandom has more spine and isn't taking this destruction lying down.
#RipWoT
The screencap of the Tuatha'an? What about them "destroyed" WoT exactly? Did all the books somehow get destroyed and nobody told me?!
@@UnravelingthePattern I believe this person isn’t a fan of the show; so they have to shitpost it everywhere instead of just not watching it and leaving the rest of us to take some enjoyment from it.
@@avendesora222 I'm getting so tired of responses like theirs.
@@UnravelingthePattern I feel as though if you have enough hatred in your body for a show on TV, that you feel the need to spread that hatred to others, instead of just moving on, you’ve got some sort of issues you need to work through. I dislike a few things probably just as strongly as that person dislikes Amazon’s adaptation, but posting about it on the internet does nothing for me except put me deeper and deeper into an algorithm generated echo chamber.
@@UnravelingthePattern it's called capitalism and democracy. If you don't cry against propaganda you participate and promote it. If you accept any product for your money you approve of the product bought and giving a bad rep is an option to affect the product you dislike when you can't get your money back. There is also plain fanaticism which has nothing to do with mental or emotional disorders, that is unless you consider all religious people as mentally disordered. I wish you good luck, health and success.