---
title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: She touched the ancient strands…"
description: "\"“She touched the ancient strands, marveling at the hue, so deep that it seemed to swallow her fingers in its darkness. The hair on the back of her neck..."
image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/6a7/sarah-j-maas-58_gaze_she-touched-the-ancient-strands-marvelin_1346878.png"
---

#  She touched the ancient strands, marveling at the hue, so…

![“She touched the ancient strands, marveling at the hue, so deep that it seemed to swallow her fingers in its darkness. The hair on the back of her neck rose, and Celaena put a hand on her dagger as she pulled the tapestry aside. She swore. And swore again. Another secret door greeted her.” quote by Sarah J. Maas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/6a7/sarah-j-maas-58_gaze_she-touched-the-ancient-strands-marvelin_1346878.png)   [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/6a7/sarah-j-maas-58_gaze_she-touched-the-ancient-strands-marvelin_1346878.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/6a7/sarah-j-maas-58_gaze_she-touched-the-ancient-strands-marvelin_1346878.png)

> ““She touched the ancient strands, marveling at the hue, so deep that it seemed to swallow her fingers in its darkness. The hair on the back of her neck rose, and Celaena put a hand on her dagger as she pulled the tapestry aside. She swore. And swore again. Another secret door greeted her.””

[Sarah J. Maas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sarah-j-maas/)

## About This Quote

This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.

A character discovers a hidden, ominous doorway, feeling dread and curiosity as ancient secrets are revealed.

**In simple terms:** A secret door is found, sparking fear and wonder.

Key Takeaway

Investigate hidden clues carefully.

Themes

mystery danger discovery

Mood

tense intrigued

Type

narrative descriptive

When to use this quote

- exploring ruins
- uncovering family secrets
- adventure quests
- solving puzzles

Key Concepts

ancient magic secret passages foreboding atmosphere

Questions to Reflect On

- What might the hidden door symbolize in her journey?
- How does fear affect her decision making?

A Different Perspective

The door may lead to danger beyond what is hinted, requiring caution.

★ ★ ★ ★ ★   No ratings yet

[Celaena Hand](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/celaena-hand-3186825/) [Dagger Pulled](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/dagger-pulled-4566909/) [Gaze](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/gaze/) [Rose Celaena](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/rose-celaena-4566908/) [Secret Door](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/secret-door-335676/) [Swore Secret](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/swore-secret-4566910/)

## Related quotes

> [“... the doors to his father's council room were thrown open and Celaena prowled in, her dark cape billowing behind her. All twenty men…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sarah-j-maas/the-doors-to-his-father-s-council-room-were-thrown-open-and-celaena/)

[Sarah J. Maas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sarah-j-maas/)

> [“She’d entered a city made entirely of leather and paper. Celaena put a hand against her heart. Escape routes be damned. “I’ve never seen—how…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sarah-j-maas/she-d-entered-a-city-made-entirely-of-leather-and-paper-celaena-put-a/)

[Sarah J. Maas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sarah-j-maas/)

> [“The queen reached into her pockets. “They must not catch you here. If they do—all will be lost. Wear this.” She pushed something cold…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sarah-j-maas/the-queen-reached-into-her-pockets-they-must-not-catch-you-here-if/)

[Sarah J. Maas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sarah-j-maas/)

> [“Finally, the lock clicked and she tugged the secret door open. A rotten stench hit her like a fist. She drew away. The boy…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tatiana-de-rosnay/finally-the-lock-clicked-and-she-tugged-the-secret-door-open-a-rotten/)

[Tatiana de Rosnay](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tatiana-de-rosnay/)

> [Stop looking for the next secret door that is going to lead you to your real life. Stop waiting. This is it: there's nothing…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lev-grossman/stop-looking-for-the-next-secret-door-that-is-going-to-lead-you-to/)

[Lev Grossman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lev-grossman/)

> [“But I had come down here for a reason. I was looking for Thor. It was Saturday, so he was most likely relaxing the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jarod-kintz/but-i-had-come-down-here-for-a-reason-i-was-looking-for-thor-it-was/)

[Jarod Kintz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jarod-kintz/)

> [The laughter in his deep-set black eyes, the feverish heat of his big hand around mine, the flash of his white teeth against his…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stephenie-meyer/the-laughter-in-his-deep-set-black-eyes-the-feverish-heat-of-his-big/)

[Stephenie Meyer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stephenie-meyer/)

> [“There’s always a secret door,” I said. “That’s why you always need a thief in your party.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ben-aaronovitch/there-s-always-a-secret-door-i-said-that-s-why-you-always-need-a/)

[Ben Aaronovitch](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ben-aaronovitch/)

> [“She let out a rough laugh, close enough that it warmed his face. “Just sleep in the bed,” she said. “I don’t feel like…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sarah-j-maas/she-let-out-a-rough-laugh-close-enough-that-it-warmed-his-face-just/)

[Sarah J. Maas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sarah-j-maas/)

> [“So,” Mikhail said, shattering her thoughts as he pointed a fork at her, “when your master beat the living daylights out of you, did…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sarah-j-maas/so-mikhail-said-shattering-her-thoughts-as-he-pointed-a-fork-at-her/)

[Sarah J. Maas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sarah-j-maas/)

> [“Their hands clasped between them, he whispered into her ear, "I claim you, too, Aelin Galathynius.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sarah-j-maas/their-hands-clasped-between-them-he-whispered-into-her-ear-i-claim/)

[Sarah J. Maas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sarah-j-maas/)

> [“Aelin let him pivot her in the surf and sand to face him fully, let him slide his mouth along her jaw, the curve…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sarah-j-maas/aelin-let-him-pivot-her-in-the-surf-and-sand-to-face-him-fully-let/)

[Sarah J. Maas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sarah-j-maas/)

> [“When Celaena didn’t say anything else, Ansel drifted into sleep. With nothing else to distract her, Celaena eventually returned to thinking about Sam. Even…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sarah-j-maas/when-celaena-didn-t-say-anything-else-ansel-drifted-into-sleep-with/)

[Sarah J. Maas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sarah-j-maas/)

> [“Enough! We have enough enemies as it is! There are worse things out there to face!" Celaena slowly turned to him, her face splattered…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sarah-j-maas/enough-we-have-enough-enemies-as-it-is-there-are-worse-things-out/)

[Sarah J. Maas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sarah-j-maas/)

> [“Gently, he pulled my hands away from my face. Gently, he took my cheeks in his hands and brushed away my tears. I didn’t…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sarah-j-maas/gently-he-pulled-my-hands-away-from-my-face-gently-he-took-my-cheeks/)

[Sarah J. Maas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sarah-j-maas/)

## More by Sarah J. Maas

> [“Light it up, bitch.' 'Light it up, asshole,' ...”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sarah-j-maas/light-it-up-bitch-light-it-up-asshole/)

[Sarah J. Maas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sarah-j-maas/)

> [“What does he look like? The question was soft- tentative. I knew who he meant. I interlaced my fingers through Rhysand's and squeezed tightly.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sarah-j-maas/what-does-he-look-like-the-question-was-soft-tentative-i-knew-who-he/)

[Sarah J. Maas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sarah-j-maas/)

> [“Lysandra chuckled, a surprisingly deep, wicked sound—probably a laugh she never let Arobynn or her clients hear. “Some night soon, I’ll sneak back in…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sarah-j-maas/lysandra-chuckled-a-surprisingly-deep-wicked-sound-probably-a-laugh/)

[Sarah J. Maas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sarah-j-maas/)

> [“I love you. I am in love with you, Rowan. I have been for a while. And I know there are limits to what…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sarah-j-maas/i-love-you-i-am-in-love-with-you-rowan-i-have-been-for-a-while-and-i/)

[Sarah J. Maas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sarah-j-maas/)

> [“Perhaps Nesta will take up the blood-drinking habit, too. I certainly believe her threat to rip out my throat. Maybe she'll enjoy the taste.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sarah-j-maas/perhaps-nesta-will-take-up-the-blood-drinking-habit-too-i-certainly/)

[Sarah J. Maas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sarah-j-maas/)

> [“To being the most fearsome and imposing girls the world has ever seen.” Celaena raised her goblet high before she drank. As she swallowed…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sarah-j-maas/to-being-the-most-fearsome-and-imposing-girls-the-world-has-ever-seen/)

[Sarah J. Maas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sarah-j-maas/)

> [“have no interest in prisoners or battling today,” Manon said. The Queen of Terrasen gave her a grin. “Good.” Manon turned away, barking at…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sarah-j-maas/have-no-interest-in-prisoners-or-battling-today-manon-said-the-queen/)

[Sarah J. Maas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sarah-j-maas/)

> [“Well, I'm late for something incredibly important," Lucien said, and before I could call him on his outright lie or beg him to stay,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sarah-j-maas/well-i-m-late-for-something-incredibly-important-lucien-said-and/)

[Sarah J. Maas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sarah-j-maas/)

> [“Holy gods. He'd frozen the whole damn lake. He was THAT powerful?”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sarah-j-maas/holy-gods-he-d-frozen-the-whole-damn-lake-he-was-that-powerful/)

[Sarah J. Maas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sarah-j-maas/)

> [“She bellowed the last word with such soul-deep hatred that he felt it like a punch to the gut.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sarah-j-maas/she-bellowed-the-last-word-with-such-soul-deep-hatred-that-he-felt-it/)

[Sarah J. Maas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sarah-j-maas/)

> [“Afraid she and I had a summer romance?" That insufferable grin was still there. "I hope you did. I certainly enjoyed myself this summer."…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sarah-j-maas/afraid-she-and-i-had-a-summer-romance-that-insufferable-grin-was/)

[Sarah J. Maas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sarah-j-maas/)

> [“There are different kinds of darkness,” Rhys said. I kept my eyes shut. “There is the darkness that frightens, the darkness that soothes, the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sarah-j-maas/there-are-different-kinds-of-darkness-rhys-said-i-kept-my-eyes-shut/)

[Sarah J. Maas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sarah-j-maas/)

> [“So you’re going to ask Ress and Brullo to just leave a back door open so you can sneak in?” “Don’t be so simpleminded.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sarah-j-maas/so-you-re-going-to-ask-ress-and-brullo-to-just-leave-a-back-door-open/)

[Sarah J. Maas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sarah-j-maas/)

> [“Gently, he pulled my hands away from my face. Gently, he took my cheeks in his hands and brushed away my tears. I didn’t…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sarah-j-maas/gently-he-pulled-my-hands-away-from-my-face-gently-he-took-my-cheeks/)

[Sarah J. Maas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sarah-j-maas/)

> [“I barely saw my silk slipper as it flew through the air, fast as a shooting star, so fast that even a High Lord…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sarah-j-maas/i-barely-saw-my-silk-slipper-as-it-flew-through-the-air-fast-as-a/)

[Sarah J. Maas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sarah-j-maas/)

[Explore all 1,807 Sarah J. Maas quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sarah-j-maas/)

## More Gaze quotes

> [I need a bath." He chuckled. "You smell of smoke, as do I." The duke turned, leaning heavily on his cane. "Jameson, open the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/karen-hawkins/i-need-a-bath-he-chuckled-you-smell-of-smoke-as-do-i-the-duke-turned/)

[Karen Hawkins](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/karen-hawkins/)

> [“Taylor said a prayer for the man, and apologized out loud. Knowing there was nothing left to do, she turned to leave. As she…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/j-t-ellison/taylor-said-a-prayer-for-the-man-and-apologized-out-loud-knowing/)

[J.T. Ellison](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/j-t-ellison/)

> [“If it makes you feel any better, he’s been all sad doll lately too.” “What are you talking about, Chels?” Chelsea stopped walking and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kimberly-derting/if-it-makes-you-feel-any-better-he-s-been-all-sad-doll-lately-too/)

[Kimberly Derting](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kimberly-derting/)

> [“Rodrigo tried to draw a deep breath, but his chest was too filled with anguish, rage and guilt. He kissed his ash-coated fingers. “I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lisa-valdez/rodrigo-tried-to-draw-a-deep-breath-but-his-chest-was-too-filled-with/)

[Lisa Valdez](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lisa-valdez/)

> [“still feel the same way? Could he have changed this much on the inside too? Struggling for the right words, I opened my mouth…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/meredith-wild/still-feel-the-same-way-could-he-have-changed-this-much-on-the-inside/)

[Meredith Wild](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/meredith-wild/)

> [“Being held by him, kissed and mastered, taken under and swept away, enthralled her in a way she—an independent woman if nothing else in…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tracy-sumner/being-held-by-him-kissed-and-mastered-taken-under-and-swept-away/)

[Tracy Sumner](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tracy-sumner/)

> [“Don’t you remember how hot we were together, Lane? God.” He takes a quick breath through clenched teeth and runs his hand down my…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michelle-a-valentine/don-t-you-remember-how-hot-we-were-together-lane-god-he-takes-a-quick/)

[Michelle A. Valentine](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michelle-a-valentine/)

> [“She knew how to play him so very well. He slipped his hand around hers. "Friends," he repeated roughly. Her smile was bright enough…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kathryn-smith/she-knew-how-to-play-him-so-very-well-he-slipped-his-hand-around-hers/)

[Kathryn Smith](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kathryn-smith/)

> [“Damn.” Phineas turned the Big Boy off, then noticed he’d left the box on the bed. Damn, had Zoltan seen it? He stuffed the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kerrelyn-sparks/damn-phineas-turned-the-big-boy-off-then-noticed-he-d-left-the-box-on/)

[Kerrelyn Sparks](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kerrelyn-sparks/)

> [“Now you," Grandma barks at him. "Yes, you, the invisible truck driver," she added, giving me a wicked grin. "Go stand next to Rose…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/donna-freitas/now-you-grandma-barks-at-him-yes-you-the-invisible-truck-driver-she/)

[Donna Freitas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/donna-freitas/)

> [His fingertips slid down from my face, lightly stroking the line of my neck, down toward my shoulder. Everywhere he touched, a trail of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/richelle-mead/his-fingertips-slid-down-from-my-face-lightly-stroking-the-line-of-my/)

[Richelle Mead](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/richelle-mead/)

> [“from THE DEVIL YOU KNOW : She wanted him too. He could see it in the rapid rise of her breasts. He could smell…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/emery-lee/from-the-devil-you-know-she-wanted-him-too-he-could-see-it-in-the/)

[Emery Lee](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/emery-lee/)

> [“You know when I said I didn't need you?" I asked. He lifted one brow. "I was so wrong.I can't find words to express…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/melissa-jensen/you-know-when-i-said-i-didn-t-need-you-i-asked-he-lifted-one-brow-i/)

[Melissa Jensen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/melissa-jensen/)

> [“I didn’t say it just to get you to jump. I’m in love with you, Zane,” he admitted in a calm, clear voice. “I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/madeleine-urban/i-didn-t-say-it-just-to-get-you-to-jump-i-m-in-love-with-you-zane-he/)

[Madeleine Urban](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/madeleine-urban/)

> [“This explains so much," she said, clucking her tongue in mother-hen fashion. "You're compensating for this withered appendage." Withered appendage? What the devil was…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tessa-dare/this-explains-so-much-she-said-clucking-her-tongue-in-mother-hen/)

[Tessa Dare](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tessa-dare/)

[Browse all 15,087 Gaze quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/gaze/)

```json
{
    "@context": "https://schema.org",
    "@graph": [
        {
            "@type": "Quotation",
            "text": "“She touched the ancient strands, marveling at the hue, so deep that it seemed to swallow her fingers in its darkness. The hair on the back of her neck rose, and Celaena put a hand on her dagger as she pulled the tapestry aside. She swore. And swore again. Another secret door greeted her.”",
            "creator": {
                "@type": "Person",
                "name": "Sarah J. Maas"
            },
            "isPartOf": {
                "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website"
            },
            "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sarah-j-maas/she-touched-the-ancient-strands-marveling-at-the-hue-so-deep-that-it/",
            "about": {
                "@type": "Thing",
                "name": "Gaze"
            },
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sarah-j-maas/she-touched-the-ancient-strands-marveling-at-the-hue-so-deep-that-it/#quotation",
            "image": {
                "@type": "ImageObject",
                "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/6a7/sarah-j-maas-58_gaze_she-touched-the-ancient-strands-marvelin_1346878.png",
                "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/6a7/sarah-j-maas-58_gaze_she-touched-the-ancient-strands-marvelin_1346878.png",
                "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/6a7/sarah-j-maas-58_gaze_she-touched-the-ancient-strands-marvelin_1346878.png",
                "width": 1080,
                "height": 1080,
                "caption": "“She touched the ancient strands, marveling at the hue, so deep that it seemed to swallow her fingers in its…” — Sarah J. Maas",
                "creditText": "SMS4Smile Quotes",
                "creator": {
                    "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization"
                }
            }
        },
        {
            "@type": "BreadcrumbList",
            "itemListElement": [
                {
                    "@type": "ListItem",
                    "position": 1,
                    "name": "Home",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/"
                },
                {
                    "@type": "ListItem",
                    "position": 2,
                    "name": "Quotes",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/"
                },
                {
                    "@type": "ListItem",
                    "position": 3,
                    "name": "Sarah J. Maas",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sarah-j-maas/"
                },
                {
                    "@type": "ListItem",
                    "position": 4,
                    "name": "“She touched the ancient strands, marveling...",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sarah-j-maas/she-touched-the-ancient-strands-marveling-at-the-hue-so-deep-that-it/"
                }
            ],
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sarah-j-maas/she-touched-the-ancient-strands-marveling-at-the-hue-so-deep-that-it/#breadcrumb"
        },
        {
            "@type": "WebSite",
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website",
            "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes",
            "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/",
            "publisher": {
                "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization"
            }
        },
        {
            "@type": "Organization",
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization",
            "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes",
            "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/",
            "logo": {
                "@type": "ImageObject",
                "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wp-content/themes/sq/assets/icons/icon-512.png",
                "width": 512,
                "height": 512
            }
        }
    ]
}
```
