Age

The Wheel of Time

Time is represented by a seven-spoked wheel, The Wheel of Time, which consists of seven Ages. The turning of this wheel and the events of each Age generate the Great Pattern, a predefined plan which defines the past, present and future.

An Age is a very long period of time. Ages are typically homogeneous, with beginnings and endings marked by dramatic changes and events. Each Age is a specific period of time whose basic design is defined by the Pattern of the Age. The pattern of each Age is fixed by the Great Pattern, but the details of a specific Age can vary considerably from the base pattern. The length of time from one variation of an Age to its next variation is long enough to completely erase all memory and records of the previous Age. Into each Age are born individuals who posses the ability to change the Pattern of an Age in either minor or major ways. These people are known as ta'veren, and can have a great influence on events of an Age. Although powerful, ta'veren are still bound to the Pattern of an Age, as well as the Great Pattern. It is theorized that ta'veren are created by the Wheel as a method to assure that the Pattern of an Age is woven properly.

"The Wheel of Time. Ages come and go and come again as the Wheel turns. All the catechism." Suddenly he stabbed a point in that imaginary wheel. "Here the Dark One's prison is whole. Here, they drilled a hole in it, and sealed it up again." He moved the bit of pipe along the arc he'd drawn. "Here we are. The seal's weakening. But that doesn't matter, of course." The pipestem completed the circle. "When the Wheel turns back to here in the first place, the Dark One's prison has to be whole again."
   —Herid Fel on the Wheel of Time

There is some evidence in the books that we are living in the First Age, for example real-world references.

• First Age
• Second Age (Age of Legends)
• Third Age
• Fourth Age

Contradictions

There are some known contradictions or yet unclear parts. See more here.