Age of Ascension - Klingon ritual performed on the sci-fi series STAR TREK: THE NEXT GENERATION/SYN/1987-94. When a Klingon reaches the Age of Ascension, a spiritual passage from youth to warrior (a rougher version of a bar mitzvah) he must proclaim "Today I am a warrior. I must show you my heart. I travel the river of blood" ("DaHjaj Suvwl'e'jlH, tlgwlj Sa'angNlS. lw blQtlqDaq jljaH.") The neophyte warrior is then required to walk through a gauntlet of seasoned Klingon warriors who'd jab him with cattle probe like pain sticks. As he endures the violent shocks, he shares deep felt feelings with his persecutors. Worf, underwent his Age of Ascension at the age of 15 in the year 2355. A holographic simulation of the ceremony was reconstructed on episode No. 40 "The Icarus Factor" as Worf's crewmates celebrated his ascension's tenth anniversary. TRIVIA NOTE: On the prison drama OZ/HBO/1997+ a ceremony akin to the Age of Ascension called "Hoe Checking" puts an inmate through a group beating to see if he will stand-up for himself. It is also known as a "Check" or "Checking." See also DEATH - "Klingon Death Ritual"