The Time of Knowing is an Andorian ceremony when an individual learns who their three bondmates will be. During the ceremony, all four Andorians receive a shapla. Thirishar ch'Thane found his Time of Knowing ceremony both terrifying and exhilarating. (DS9 - Mission Gamma novel: This Gray Spirit, DS9 - Worlds of Star Trek: Deep Space Nine novel: Andor: Paradigm)