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History Of Walking Sticks
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 Ever
since human beings have walked upright, long sticks have been used
in one way or another for climbing uneven ground and mountainous
terrain. Thus, the history of walking sticks has developed right
along with humanity itself. In the beginning, walking sticks as
we know them today were poles, weapons, supports as well as walking
aids, all in one. The word “cane” used for a type of
walking stick wasn’t used until the sixteenth century.
Throughout the history of walking sticks, they have evolved from
an icon of high social status for men, a sign of authority, to the
fashionable accessory in the 17th and 18th century. During the Middle
Ages kingly power came to be symbolized by the scepter carried in
the right hand, while a second staff or scepter known as the "Hand
of Justice" was carried in the left. This scepter was surmounted
by a hand in the act of blessing. In France, this custom of investing
authority with two scepters dates from about 987 A.D. In England,
during the latter part of the twelfth century, two scepters were
bestowed upon Richard Coeur de Lion. "
The church also used walking sticks as symbols of authority for
its highest officers. For example, the pastoral staff that bestowed
upon a bishop an aura of prestige and religious authority. The oldest
versions of pastoral staffs were long with crooked handles. Apparently
the crook signified the way a bishop draws believers to him, while
the pointed end symbolized how he urged on the indifferent.
Both judges and other officers carried walking sticks during this
time. As late as the 17th century, all authority figures—kings,
priests, judges and military commanders—were represented with
some form of walking stick or staff to show the type of power that
each possessed.
The general evolvement of walking sticks as an accessory began
with the sword. A common item for gentlemen to carry, the sword
was gradually replaced by society with walking sticks and/or canes
as a symbol of gentility.
In fact, as early as 1702, every gentleman in London was required
to have a license to procure the privilege of carrying a walking
stick. If he did not abide by certain specific requirements (such
as how to hold the walking stick, when to lift it, etc) he would
have to give in to the etiquette police, figuratively speaking!
Going against the social codes for carrying these highly fashionable
and imminent accessories, such as carrying a cane (walking stick)
under one’s arm, was considered to be an extreme violation
of genteel manners.
Today, walking sticks are mainly used as hiking accoutrements.
The history of walking sticks has come a long way, from a social
sign of power and authority, to fashion, to an outdoor enthusiast’s
right hand man!
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Walking canes are sometimes a necessity to getting around.
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