Post by min on Sept 20, 2016 16:24:24 GMT
I'm having a bit of a discussion at W on the meaning of Dany's vision in HoU:
"A white lion ran through grass taller than a man."
At first read, I thought this meant the grass was taller than the man. But the stress is on the italicized words: white lion taller than a man. Which brings Brienne to mind.
When asked about her height, George R. R. Martin replied:
“ Brienne is well over six feet tall, but not close to seven, no. Just off the top of my head, I would say Brienne is taller than Renly and Jaime and significantly heavier than either, but nowhere near the size of Gregor Clegane, who is the true giant in the series. Shorter than Hodor and the Greatjon, maybe a bit shorter than the Hound, maybe roughly the same height as Robert."
Brienne is taller than Jaime but almost as tall as Sandor Clegane, so taller than most men. But she doesn't fit the idea of a lion within the Westerosi context. Some people interpret this to mean the Lannisters, either Tryion or Jaime. To my mind the Lannisters are golden lions rather than white lions and Jaime is depicted in Bran's visions as the golden man. Tyrion's height would seem to exclude him unless we're talking about the height of the grass in comparison. But I don't think that's it.
Brienne is somewhat maleable when it comes to the colors or sigils that she wears depending on who she is pledged; the Tully's, the Rainbow Guard. She doesn't take a personal sigil until later. So in a sense, it could be argued that she represents Jaime Lannister as the LC of the White Cloaks or the white lion. She is on a personal mission to keep the pledge to find and protect the Stark girls for her sake and more importantly for Jaime's sake.
There is a symbolism associated with the lion and the color white that fits Brienne's character:
The symbolic meaning of lions, as one might imagine, primarily deals with strength.
The fact that it is a nocturnal creature means that the lion is a symbol of authority and command over subconscious thought (as night is an ancient symbol of the subconscious - or dream states).
It's interesting that the lion is considered by many ancient cultures to be a solar animal symbol, however it is primarily a nocturnal creature, conducting its hunting activity mostly at night. Further, the lioness is considered a lunar animal.
This serves as a symbolic message of balance and sound judgment. In that the lion shares the world of both night and day, the lion bears a message of prudence to us. In other words, the lion asks us to not overdo in certain areas of our lives. Rather, keep an even mind and an overall balance in our life activities.
- Wisdom, Power, Royalty, Dignity, Courage, Justice, Ferocity, Dominion, Authority
In Egypt, the lion represented the ferocious heat of the sun and was seen in the likeness of Sekhmet who is the Egyptian goddess known as the Eye of Ra. She is the power that protects the good and annihilates the wicked.
The color white represents purity and virginity. The lioness as a lunar animal fits with the symbolism of Brienne's house, Evenfall. The white lion represents the true knight in my view.
There is very little that I could find about myths about white lions except for this African legend which has an association with a fallen star.
Oral traditions recalls the appearance of white lions over 400 years ago during the reign of Queen Numbi in the region now known as Timbavati. A shining star was seen to fall to the ground, but when Queen Numbi and her people approached, they found it to be a shining ball of metal, brighter than the sun. Queen Numbi, who was an elderly and infirm woman, was swallowed by its light and received by strange beings. When she emerged again, she had been restored to health and youth. The fallen star remained there for some days and then rose back into the sky.
I'm actually surprised to find this reference. It might not be a stretch to think that Martin knows about while lion conservation efforts or even the legends about them; given his interest in wolf conservancy. White lions are as rare in Westeros as they are in Africa.
There is also some interesting stuff in the link pertaining to certain elements in aSoiaF which Martin may have found some inspiration. Queen Numbi (the Ugly) 'touches the light', then white lions appear after this encounter with a 'fallen star'. Further in the author's account; a strange blade shaped rock is venerated and used to make music on the spot where the star had fallen.
I have to stick with Brienne on this one. If Brienne is still charged with finding the Stark girls after her encounter with Lady Stoneheart; I can see her looking for Arya in Essos at some point.
"A white lion ran through grass taller than a man."
At first read, I thought this meant the grass was taller than the man. But the stress is on the italicized words: white lion taller than a man. Which brings Brienne to mind.
When asked about her height, George R. R. Martin replied:
“ Brienne is well over six feet tall, but not close to seven, no. Just off the top of my head, I would say Brienne is taller than Renly and Jaime and significantly heavier than either, but nowhere near the size of Gregor Clegane, who is the true giant in the series. Shorter than Hodor and the Greatjon, maybe a bit shorter than the Hound, maybe roughly the same height as Robert."
Brienne is taller than Jaime but almost as tall as Sandor Clegane, so taller than most men. But she doesn't fit the idea of a lion within the Westerosi context. Some people interpret this to mean the Lannisters, either Tryion or Jaime. To my mind the Lannisters are golden lions rather than white lions and Jaime is depicted in Bran's visions as the golden man. Tyrion's height would seem to exclude him unless we're talking about the height of the grass in comparison. But I don't think that's it.
Brienne is somewhat maleable when it comes to the colors or sigils that she wears depending on who she is pledged; the Tully's, the Rainbow Guard. She doesn't take a personal sigil until later. So in a sense, it could be argued that she represents Jaime Lannister as the LC of the White Cloaks or the white lion. She is on a personal mission to keep the pledge to find and protect the Stark girls for her sake and more importantly for Jaime's sake.
There is a symbolism associated with the lion and the color white that fits Brienne's character:
The symbolic meaning of lions, as one might imagine, primarily deals with strength.
The fact that it is a nocturnal creature means that the lion is a symbol of authority and command over subconscious thought (as night is an ancient symbol of the subconscious - or dream states).
It's interesting that the lion is considered by many ancient cultures to be a solar animal symbol, however it is primarily a nocturnal creature, conducting its hunting activity mostly at night. Further, the lioness is considered a lunar animal.
This serves as a symbolic message of balance and sound judgment. In that the lion shares the world of both night and day, the lion bears a message of prudence to us. In other words, the lion asks us to not overdo in certain areas of our lives. Rather, keep an even mind and an overall balance in our life activities.
- Wisdom, Power, Royalty, Dignity, Courage, Justice, Ferocity, Dominion, Authority
In Egypt, the lion represented the ferocious heat of the sun and was seen in the likeness of Sekhmet who is the Egyptian goddess known as the Eye of Ra. She is the power that protects the good and annihilates the wicked.
The color white represents purity and virginity. The lioness as a lunar animal fits with the symbolism of Brienne's house, Evenfall. The white lion represents the true knight in my view.
There is very little that I could find about myths about white lions except for this African legend which has an association with a fallen star.
Oral traditions recalls the appearance of white lions over 400 years ago during the reign of Queen Numbi in the region now known as Timbavati. A shining star was seen to fall to the ground, but when Queen Numbi and her people approached, they found it to be a shining ball of metal, brighter than the sun. Queen Numbi, who was an elderly and infirm woman, was swallowed by its light and received by strange beings. When she emerged again, she had been restored to health and youth. The fallen star remained there for some days and then rose back into the sky.
I'm actually surprised to find this reference. It might not be a stretch to think that Martin knows about while lion conservation efforts or even the legends about them; given his interest in wolf conservancy. White lions are as rare in Westeros as they are in Africa.
There is also some interesting stuff in the link pertaining to certain elements in aSoiaF which Martin may have found some inspiration. Queen Numbi (the Ugly) 'touches the light', then white lions appear after this encounter with a 'fallen star'. Further in the author's account; a strange blade shaped rock is venerated and used to make music on the spot where the star had fallen.
I have to stick with Brienne on this one. If Brienne is still charged with finding the Stark girls after her encounter with Lady Stoneheart; I can see her looking for Arya in Essos at some point.
.