The Mystical World of Wheel of Time: Decoding Aes Sedai Colors & Their Powerful Roles

Summary

The Aes Sedai in the Wheel of Time series are categorized into various factions distinguished by the unique colors of their attire. Among these groups, the Gray Ajah specializes in the intricate realm of politics and skillfully negotiates treaties and agreements.

The Blue Ajah is renowned for their exemplary conduct and dedication to just causes. Moiraine, a member of this Ajah, is actively seeking the Dragon Reborn to vanquish the Dark One.

Conversely, the Red Ajah staunchly opposes male channelers and actively pursues False Dragons. They are recognized for their unrelenting methods and serve as antagonists in the story.

In stark contrast, the Black Ajah operates clandestinely within the ranks of Aes Sedai, secretly serving the Dark One without revealing their true loyalties.

There are seven official colors representing the different factions within the Wheel of Time Aes Sedai organization. Each Aes Sedai belongs to a specific group, indicated by the color of their clothing. These groups differ significantly from one another. The Aes Sedai, a group of women trained in the use of the One Power, are based in the White Tower in the city of Tar Valon. In the first season of Wheel of Time, Moiraine (Rosamund Pike) briefly discussed the divisions and functioning of the Aes Sedai.

Every woman in the organization is part of a particular Ajah, distinguished by its own color. After completing training at the White Tower, women have the opportunity to choose which Ajah they would like to join. This decision is based on their expertise with the One Power, personal beliefs, and individual goals. Some of the Ajahs have already been introduced in the series, while others are yet to be revealed. As the show progresses, more Aes Sedai will likely enter the picture. Some may support Moiraine and Lan, while others may pose obstacles. The Wheel of Time Aes Sedai colors of their clothing will provide hints about their roles in the story and their motivations.

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Gray Ajah

The Gray Ajah, responsible for political matters within the Aes Sedai, specialize in diplomacy, negotiating treaties, and serving as ambassadors. Although not renowned for their combat skills, they play a crucial role in resolving conflicts. Historically, this group has endeavored to foster unity among nations, dedicating themselves to understanding and adapting to the legal systems of diverse societies. While their presence on the show has been limited to a minor appearance in the White Tower, they aim to facilitate harmony and contribute to the development of laws in various nations.

Blue Ajah

The Blue Ajah is widely recognized as the most well-known Aes Sedai color in the TV show, Wheel of Time. Moiraine, a member of the Blue Ajah, is renowned for her unwavering commitment to righteous causes. With a strong dedication to justice and moral behavior, it is often the Aes Sedai of the Blue Ajah who courageously volunteer for perilous missions, driven by a desire to save the world. Consequently, it comes as no surprise that Moiraine is a respected Blue Sister.

Within the Wheel of Time, she has taken up the poignant fight to discover and assist the Dragon Reborn in their battle against the Dark One. Moiraine's interactions with fellow Aes Sedai reveal that many perceive Blue Sisters, including Moiraine, as self-righteous and harbor some distrust towards them, likely due to their reputation for cunning tactics. Even Moiraine herself has been guilty of bending the no-lying rule in the past. The television series aptly portrays them as a "network of spies," and it should be noted that the former Blue Ajah member, Siuan Sanche, holds the prestigious position of the Amyrlin Seat, the head of the Aes Sedai.

Brown Ajah

White Ajah

The Brown Ajah and the Blue Ajah hold contrasting purposes. While the Blue Sisters champion righteous causes, the Brown Sisters, on the other hand, are dedicated scholars who prefer to remain detached from the affairs of the outside world. Instead, they devote the majority of their time to expanding their knowledge. Their diligent studies greatly benefit both the White Tower and the Aes Sedai as a whole, as they are often the ones to make significant breakthroughs in understanding the various Talents of the One Power. Among the notable Brown Sisters is Verin Mathwin, a key character in the Wheel of Time series, who made her debut in season 2 portrayed by Meera Syal.

Unlike the Brown Ajah, the Aes Sedai of the White Ajah have little interest in worldly matters. However, they diverge from their Brown counterparts by lacking a strong inclination towards knowledge. Instead, their focus lies in logic, philosophy, and the pursuit of truth. These attributes grant them an air of impartiality and emotional detachment. Nonetheless, a long-standing animosity exists between them and the Red Ajah, as they have historically taken opposing stances on most issues within the world of Wheel of Time for countless centuries.

Green Ajah

The Green Ajah, also known as the Battle Ajah, is depicted in both the Wheel of Time books and Amazon's TV show. They actively engage in warfare and play a crucial role as the strongest assets of the White Tower in times of military conflict. In the first season of Wheel of Time, Alanna Mosvani (played by Priyanka Bose) explains that their primary objective is to safeguard humanity and actively contribute to the battle against the Dark One in the Last Battle.

Given their focus on combat, the Green Ajah follows distinctive rules regarding the bonding of Warders. Unlike Moiraine from the Blue Ajah, who is bonded solely to Lan, Aes Sedai belonging to the Green Ajah can have multiple Warders. This explains why Alanna has two Warders accompanying her in the show, as one is not sufficient for someone like her.

Yellow Ajah

Red Ajah

The unidentified Aes Sedai from Wheel of Time's inaugural season, episode two, met a tragic fate at the hands of the Children of the Light. This individual was a member of the revered Yellow Ajah, a group yet to play a prominent role in the show. However, delving into the books uncovers their significance and distinctive qualities. Within the Yellow Ajah, known as the Yellow Sisters, lies an expertise in the Healing Talent, utilizing the One Power to mend ailments. This talent was impressively displayed when a Yellow Aes Sedai successfully healed Perrin of his injuries. Moiraine herself attested to their unrivaled capabilities, asserting that the Yellow Ajah houses the greatest healers. Yet, their reputation within the White Tower is marred by arrogance, often leading to tense encounters with the Blue Ajah.

In contrast to other Aes Sedai colors in the Wheel of Time series, such as Liandrin (played by Kate Fleetwood), the Red Sisters do not have any Warders. This can be attributed to their defining characteristic, which is a strong aversion towards men. Their primary objective in the Wheel of Time universe is to eliminate male channelers, whom they perceive as the greatest threat to humanity. This strong stance is a direct consequence of the actions of the original Dragon in the Wheel of Time, Lews Therin, whose actions led to the Breaking of the World.

Black Ajah

The Red Ajah takes charge of searching for False Dragons, such as Logain (Álvaro Morte), and other men who possess the ability to channel. Once located, they escort these individuals back to the White Tower to undergo the process of gentling. Due to their strong aversion towards male channelers and apprehensions regarding the Dragon Reborn prophecy, the Red Sisters typically assume confrontational roles within the Wheel of Time books. Additionally, they are known to employ a particularly ruthless approach in accomplishing their missions.

There is an unofficial eighth color associated with the Aes Sedai. Known as the Black Ajah, this renegade group of Aes Sedai are dedicated Darkfriends who align themselves with the Dark One. While each member is officially affiliated with one of the seven Ajahs in the White Tower, they have forsaken their duties to serve the Dark One. To conceal their true loyalties, they continue to wear the colors of their original Ajah, enabling them to function as covert agents for the villains.

Their utmost priorities in Wheel of Time revolve around maintaining secrecy and operating covertly against the other factions within the White Tower. Finally, in the opening scene of season 2, they made their official debut by convening with Ishamael (Fares Fares). Among them, a member appeared wearing a serpent ring adorned with a black stone. Unlike most Aes Sedai who cannot lie, forge weapons, or utilize the One Power as a weapon, the Sisters of the Black Ajah, having forsaken the Three Oaths, emerge as the most formidable adversaries on the TV series.