ANALOGUE: Axel - South Zeeland "Symbols of Status It wasn’t easy to walk around with a design like that on your shoulders, nor was it particularly comfortable, but that didn’t bother Axel’s women. The very purpose of this traditional dress was to demonstrate that the wearer could afford this impractical style. Their rings- broad bands covering the finger right up to the knuckle− also made it clear: this woman doesn’t have to work at all! The engravings on the forehead jewellery women wore further indicated their status: two swans meant that she was well-off, and three that she was extremely rich."