Caste Codes and Colors

Each caste maintains a series of beliefs and rules for its members, which are followed when they practice their profession. These caste's "codes" deal mainly with matters specific to that particular profession; i.e, a member of the caste of merchants would follow his or her caste codes in regards to maintaining a profitable trade, presenting merchandise in an honest fashion, haggling, etc. Each caste's codes are different.

Many of the major castes of Gor have their own unique "Caste Color." This color is often used by members of that caste to display outwardly that they are associated with the caste which that color represents. Such things as banners, flags, and even buildings will often be of a certain color to show caste alliance. Goreans will often wear clothing of their caste color which makes it known at a glance that they are members of a particular caste. A widely recognized symbol for a member of the Gorean warrior caste is a scarlet tunic, while a scribe would wear robes of his own caste color, blue.

"The Caste structure is relatively immobile, but is not frozen, and depends on more than birth. For example, if a child in his schooling shows that he can raise Caste, as the expression is, he is permitted to do so. But, similarly, if a child does not show the aptitude expected of his Caste, whether it be, say, that of the Physician or Warrior, he is lowered in Caste." Tarnsman of Gor pg 42

"I knew that the Gorean Caste lines though largely following birth were not inflexible, and that a man who did not care for his Caste might be allowed by the High Council of his city, an approval usually contingent on his q ualifications for the work of another Caste and the willingness of the members of the new Caste to accept him as a Caste Brother." Priest Kings of Gor pg 71

"I wondered if men in this city were not proud of their castes, as were, on the whole, other Goreans, even those of the so-called lower castes. Even men of a caste as low as that of the Tarn-Keepers were intolerably proud of their calling, for who else could raise and train those monstrous birds of prey?" Outlaws of Gor, Pg. 66 - 67

"Caste membership, for Goreans, is generally a simple matter of birth; it is not connected necessarily with the performance of certain skills, nor the attainment of a given level of proficiency in such skills. To be sure, certain skills tend to be associated traditionally with certain castes, a fact which is clearly indicated in caste titles, such as the Leatherworkers, the Metalworkers, the Singers, and the Peasants." Fighting Slave of Gor Pg. 209 - 210

"Though one is commonly born into a caste one is often not permitted to practice the caste craft until a suitable apprenticeship has been served. This guarantees the quality of the caste product. It is possible, though it is seldom the case, that members of a caste are not permitted to practice specific caste skills, though they may be permitted to practice subsidiary skills. For example, one who is of the Metalworkers might not be permitted to work iron, but might be permitted to do such things as paint iron, and transport and market it. Caste rights, of course, such as the right to caste support in time of need and caste sanctuary, when in flight, which are theirs by birth, remain theirs." Fighting Slave of Gor Pg. 209

"The welfare of the caste, typically, takes priority in the Gorean mind over the ambitions of specific individuals." Fighting Slave of Gor, Pg. 210

"Caste is important to the Gorean in ways that are difficult to make clear to one whose social structures do not include the relationships of caste." Fighting Slave of Gor, Pg. 210 - 211