Thezone (Greek:ζώνηzōnē, from ζώννυμιzōnnȳmi, "I gird") is a form of girdle or belt common in the ancientEastern Mediterranean. In ancient Greece, the zone was traditionally worn by women.
Forancient Greek women, the zone is used as a sign of their sexual maturity, since pre-pubescent girls do not wear them. However, younger girls do wear zones, but an unbelted version of it. Adult women who are unmarried wear a belted version of the zone which signifies their virginity. The process of the bride tying the belt's knot prior to the wedding is symbolic of her readiness for marriage. The belt is meant to be removed by their husband on their wedding night. A married woman still uses a zone, and also a belted version, though it looks different from the one used by an unmarried woman. The belts are only removed during their pregnancy and childbirth.[1]
At the same time, female foreigners (also known asbarbarians inancient Greece) do not wear belts. The male foreigners, however, do, and this signifies their lack of manliness.[1]
The zone has featured inGreek literature depicting female mythological figures. It is often used to symbolize female sexuality, such as whenHera seduced her husband,Zeus, while wearing her zone in theIliad orPandora, as she was created byAthena inTheogony, appeared with her zone and "silvery raiment". The zone is also used as a way to maintain female agency, where the zone is used byAeschylus'Suppliant Maidens as a way to commit suicide when the alternative is to enter unwanted matrimony.[1]
In modern Greek andChurch Slavonic the zone or (Пояс,poyas -belt) is a liturgicalbelt worn as avestment bypriests andbishops of theEastern Orthodox Church,Oriental Orthodox Churches andEastern Catholic Churches. It is made ofbrocade with anembroidered orappliquédcross in the center, with long ribbons at the ends for tying around the waist. It is worn over thesticharion and theepitrachelion and keeps them in place as the priest performs theDivine Liturgy. In this regard it is similar to thecincture of theRoman Catholic Church.
The zone is not worn for services when the priest is not fully vested,e.g.vespers ormatins.
The zone worn by priests of theOld Believers of the Russian Tradition, have a unique design, with four pendant strips, two on each hip. This was the result of legislation passed under EmpressCatherine the Great, mandating that the vestments of Old Believer clergy be sufficiently different from those of clergy belonging to the State Church, in order to avoid confusion.