A lit kor'tova candle represented the fire that burned in a Klingon warrior's heart. Before the age of thirteen, a Klingon child had to light his or her own kor'tova candle from the candle of another Klingon, thereby declaring his or her intention to become a warrior. If the young Klingon did not participate in the rite before turning thirteen, he or she would never be able to become a true Klingon warrior, though Worf did his at 15. (TNG: "Firstborn" ) The lighting of the candles was, according to the Star Trek Encyclopedia (4th ed., vol. 1, p. 437) , a part of the First Rite of Ascension.