Turtle
Turtles in the known world are reptiles similar to real life turtles.
Contents
Types
Many varieties of turtles can be found along the Rhoyne, such as the Old Men of the River, but also:
large turtles and small ones, flatbacks and red-ears, softshells and bonesnappers, brown turtles, green turtles, black turtles, clawed turtles and horned turtles, turtles whose ridged and patterned shells were covered with whorls of gold and jade and cream.[1]
Additionally, there are phantom tortoises in Qarth.[2]
Culture
Turtles are worshipped by the Rhoynar.[3][4] The sigil of House Estermont includes a turtle,[5] and the sigil of House Tudbury includes a tortoise.[6]
History
According to legend, the First Turtle War, the first of the Rhoynish Wars, began when Valyrians butchered a gigantic turtle known to the Rhoynish as the Old Men of the River and held as consorts of Mother Rhoyne.[4]
Recent Events
A Dance with Dragons
While traveling along the Rhoyne, Tyrion Lannister sees a multitude of turtles, including a giant one which Yandry and Ysilla believe to be the Old Man of the River.[1]
Quotes
The turtles have their charms, I will allow. Nothing delights me so much as the sight of a nice pair of shapely ... shells.[1]
Behind the scenes
As a child George R. R. Martin had turtles, the only pets he was allowed to have. The turtles lived in a castle, and Martin pretended they were knights and kings, and made up stories in which they betrayed and killed each other and fought for the kingdoms. Martin has said that Game of Thrones began with his turtles.[7][8] Martin often wears a hat with a turtle pin and has claimed that "turtles have always been my sigil, I suppose.".[8]
Martin created the character Great and Powerful Turtle for the Wild Cards series.[9]
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 A Dance with Dragons, Chapter 14, Tyrion IV.
- ↑ A Clash of Kings, Chapter 63, Daenerys V.
- ↑ A Feast for Crows, Chapter 21, The Queenmaker.
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 The World of Ice & Fire, Ancient History: Ten Thousand Ships.
- ↑ A Clash of Kings, Chapter 22, Catelyn II.
- ↑ The Citadel: Heraldry - In the Stormlands
- ↑ NPR.org: 'Thrones' Author George R.R. Martin Plays Not My Job (September 14, 2012)
- ↑ 8.0 8.1 Seven Moments from the 'Game of Thrones' Comic-Con Panel that Made Fans Scream (July 14, 2012)
- ↑ So Spake Martin: Outland Interview (September 25, 2000).
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