"And it came to pass... that the soul of Jonathan was knit with the soul of David, and Jonathan loved him as his own soul... Then Jonathan and David made a covenant, because he loved him as his own soul."
This line that every Shadowhunter learns, forms the very basis of the bond that connects Parabatai. Before I forget, let me tell you that I'm talking about the Shadowhunter Chronicles, which contains quite a few series of books, the most famous one being the Mortal Instruments. The world is based on a race of people called the Shadowhunters, who are born to kill demons and thus protect the mundanes ( you, me and every other normal person; 'muggles' would be a kind of synonym ).
The Shadowhunters can choose to be bound to another of their kind, completely and irrevocably. Before the age of 18, they can choose their partner, male or female, and they have to swear many oaths before the Clave to complete the ceremony.
Being someone's Parabatai means that you fight alongside them, you lay down your life for them if need be, and stay with them forever. Only death parts two Shadowhunters, unless one of them becomes a Downworlder. A Shadowhunter's obligation to his Parabatai is that he provide them with constant companionship, and refrain from going where his Parabatai cannot follow. This bond signifies giving everything you have for another person, and accepting the same from them.
And the angel's law states that a person cannot fall in love with their Parabatai. Though this happens time to time, despite the restriction ( after all, who can guide your heart? ), it is strictly taboo. Most Shadowhunters do not know the reason for this restriction, but it is rumoured to be the Clave's deepest secret.
Parabatai can feel when the other is in grave danger, or when something is wrong with their partner.
These link two people beyond any other bond. Parabatai are said to be closer than siblings, more a part of each other's souls.
Reality is often quite different from the idea built up in these beautiful words, yet there is a semblance to the bond shared by Parabatai in the bond we call friendship. Plain, simple friendship... but it has something deeper in its meaning. True friendship is like the Parabatai bond. It will never fray "until aught but death part thee and me".
This line that every Shadowhunter learns, forms the very basis of the bond that connects Parabatai. Before I forget, let me tell you that I'm talking about the Shadowhunter Chronicles, which contains quite a few series of books, the most famous one being the Mortal Instruments. The world is based on a race of people called the Shadowhunters, who are born to kill demons and thus protect the mundanes ( you, me and every other normal person; 'muggles' would be a kind of synonym ).
The Shadowhunters can choose to be bound to another of their kind, completely and irrevocably. Before the age of 18, they can choose their partner, male or female, and they have to swear many oaths before the Clave to complete the ceremony.
Being someone's Parabatai means that you fight alongside them, you lay down your life for them if need be, and stay with them forever. Only death parts two Shadowhunters, unless one of them becomes a Downworlder. A Shadowhunter's obligation to his Parabatai is that he provide them with constant companionship, and refrain from going where his Parabatai cannot follow. This bond signifies giving everything you have for another person, and accepting the same from them.
And the angel's law states that a person cannot fall in love with their Parabatai. Though this happens time to time, despite the restriction ( after all, who can guide your heart? ), it is strictly taboo. Most Shadowhunters do not know the reason for this restriction, but it is rumoured to be the Clave's deepest secret.
Parabatai can feel when the other is in grave danger, or when something is wrong with their partner.
These link two people beyond any other bond. Parabatai are said to be closer than siblings, more a part of each other's souls.
Reality is often quite different from the idea built up in these beautiful words, yet there is a semblance to the bond shared by Parabatai in the bond we call friendship. Plain, simple friendship... but it has something deeper in its meaning. True friendship is like the Parabatai bond. It will never fray "until aught but death part thee and me".
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