The ceremonial sword and knife are important symbols of power and authority. High ranking individuals wear the udamalore (a small, ornate Yorbualand), the chief strikes the blade of his sword on the earth three times when he greets Ogun, god or iron. Swords and knifes are emblems not only 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.
Four squares or panels are divided by thick bands of straight lines and small circles. Two of the panels are composed of a checkerboard pattern with circles in the center of each square. The largest of the squares has a complex network of palmettes; while the narrow top panel is composed of wavy lines top and bottom with a horizontal series of circles in the center. The upper part of the blade continues the semi-circles on the base, then turns into an interesting design of three vertical rows of circles rising like bubbles from water filled with beautiful aquatic plants.