The ceremonial sword is an important symbol of power and authority. High ranking individuals wear the udamalore, (a small, ornate ceremonial sword), during festivals to distinguish themselves as someone of importance. At Ilesha, (central Yorubaland), the chief strikes the blade of his sword on the earth three times when he greets Ogun, god of iron. Swords are not only emblems of wealth, but also of the power latent within the metal itself to cause either destruction, or to be used for protection. Just as an individual possessing power, both earthly and spiritual, may use the weapon for aggressive or passive purposes depending upon his judgment and wisdom.
A wavy double banded line separates the two sections, with the inside highly textured in a checkerboard pattern, and the outer smooth. A vertical series of concentric circles is positioned at the 'peak' of the inner curve of the wavy line. From each circle are a series of small circles, increasing in number from the hilt to the top. Seen horizontally the curving line resembles a row of hills, with a plowed field in the foreground and the celestial spheres in the sky.