The Garter: Mark of Shame or Honor?

I think we can all agree that the story of Gawain is one of redemption. This epitome of chivalry and nobility lies to his host, the king, about the garter given to him by the king's wife, and the king later helps him to admit his sin and regain his honor. In this story the garter seems to represent his sin- the constant reminder of Gawain's moral failing and weakness - so why does he keep it after he has admitted his wrong doing? Gawain himself explains "And pus, quen pryde schal me pryk for prowes of armes, Pe loke to pis luf-lace schal lepe my hert." ["And so when pride from prowess at arms stirs me, The sight of this love token will humble my heart."] (Winny lines 2437-2438) The garter, although originally a mark of sin and shame, has also been redeemed and is now a sign of humility and honor.

The history of the Most Noble Order of the Garter mirrors this change in what the garter symbolizes. As the story goes, King Edward was dancing with a lady and her garter slipped off her leg. The nobles around sniggered at this indecency (mark of shame), however the king picked up the garter and tied it to his own leg, using our motto "Honi Soit Qui Mal Y Pense" (Shame on him who thinks evil of it) and in doing so, made the garter symbolize the chivalry and honor he showed in sparing the lady's embarassment. (Paraphrased from Wikipedia)

Notice, also, that the honor bestowed upon the characters in these two stories (Gawain and the lady dancing with King Edward) is not earned by them, but rather given freely. Certainly there are some symbolic ties here to the Christian faith and Christ's free gift of redemption. The symbol for the world's sins (and deserved punishment) is the cross, which has been transformed into a symbol of hope and freedom from the sin it once embodied. The garter workes in the same way.

The most important meaning for my own life is to remember the phrase "Honi Soit Qui Mal Y Pense" when I make mistakes. Gawain is told by Bercilak "You art confessed so clene, beknowen of py mysses, And hatz pe penaunce apert of pe poynt of myn egge, I halde ye polysed of pat plyzt, and pured as clene As you hadez neuer forfeted sypen you watz fyrst borne" ["You have confessed so completely, acknowledging your failings, And you have suffered your penance at the edge of my blade, I hold you as clear of that offense, and purged as clean, As though you had made no mistake ever since you were born"] (Winny, lines 2391-2394), and in the same manner I should accept redemption after admitting my shortcomings and not continue to be ashamed of them. I will wear my garter or cross proudly as a sign of honor rather than shame, as a mark of my humility and the grace bestowed upon me.