History of Canes
Walking canes have a long and multi-purpose history. From rough staffs used by shepherds to guide their sheep and ward off predators to walking sticks used by wandering travelers to more refined canes used by men and women of various walks of life for added physical and social stability, staffs, sticks and canes have helped ordinary people navigate the times of their lives safely for as long as we remember.
Of course, royalty used them as symbols of power as well. Egyptian rulers carried staffs topped with a carved lotus to symbolize long life, while ancient Greek and Roman gods were often depicted holding ornamental staffs, the precursor of the scepter preferred by royalty in the Middle Ages.
In London in the early 1700s, men were required to obtain a license in order to carry a cane, as this was considered a privilege of class as well as a fashion statement. Hanging a cane on a button or brandishing it as a weapon were misdemeanors that would result in forfeiting one’s license.
Women, also, carried slender canes made of apple wood or bamboo. One of the most famous cane aficionados was Marie Antoinette, who favored a shepherd’s crook.
To this day, bishops in certain denominations carry a crooked shepherd’s staff as a symbol of servant leadership in the church, while walking sticks are regaining popularity among mountain climbers and weekend hikers.
Now generally relegated to formal attire, canes also end up in collections due to their unique or novel characteristics. Canes with hidden features (swords, flasks) or made from unusual materials (animal horns, jewels) are coveted collector’s items.
Still, as ever, walking canes, sticks and staffs provide us with a variety of ways to keep our balance in an ever-changing world.