Nightfire
Nightfires are fires set to provide light and warmth at night.[1][2] Red priests of R'hllor set nightfires at sunset[3][4] in the belief that the flames keep away the terrors of darkness.[5]
Contents
Rites
Followers of R'hllor believe that their god is opposed by the Great Other, whose domain is darkness, and that fire is a gift from their Lord of Light to protect against the dark.[6] Red priests light fires at sunset to thank R'hllor for the day which is ending, and they pray for the sun's return the next morning.[7][3]
Some red priests and priestesses, including Benerro,[4] Melisandre,[7] and Moqorro[8] believe they can see visions of the future in their flames.[9]
Nightfires are set at red temples throughout the world,[10][11] and huge nightfires burn beside the steps of the Temple of the Lord of Light in Volantis.[4]
Recent Events
A Clash of Kings
Melisandre burns statues of the Seven taken from the sept of Dragonstone in a nightfire.[9]
A Storm of Swords
Davos Seaworth sees queen's men praying at a huge nightfire in Dragonstone's yard.[3]
After the battle beneath the Wall, Stannis Baratheon intends for nightfires to burn at each castle of the Night's Watch along the Wall.[12]
A Feast for Crows
In Braavos, Arya Stark thinks a light in the distance is a nightfire at the city's red temple.[11]
A Dance with Dragons
Tyrion Lannister sees a nightfire at the red temple in Selhorys,[13] and then huge nightfires at the Temple of the Lord of Light in Volantis.[4]
Melisandre sets nightfires each evening at Castle Black.[2] Stannis and the queen's men with him light nightfires during their march on Winterfell.[14]
Moqorro lights nightfires in a great iron brazier while sailing on Selaesori Qhoran .[15] After being rescued from the Gulf of Grief by the Iron Fleet, he sets a nightfire while with Victarion Greyjoy on Iron Victory.[16]
Quotes
The Lady Melisandre tells us that sometimes R'hllor permits his faithful servants to glimpse the future in flames. It seemed to me as I watched the fire this morning that I was looking at a dozen beautiful dancers, maidens garbed in yellow silk spinning and swirling before a great king. I think it was a true vision, ser.[9]
—Thoros to Arya Stark
The red priests lit their fires every day at sunset, to thank R'hllor for the day just ending, and beg him to send his sun back on the morrow to banish the gathering darkness.[3]
—thoughts of Davos Seaworth
Bowen: We're to light nightfires now?
Melisandre: You are. Swords alone cannot hold this darkness back. Only the light of the Lord can do that. Make no mistake, good sers and valiant brothers, the war we've come to fight is no petty squabble over lands and honors. Ours is a war for life itself, and should we fail the world dies with us.[12]—Bowen Marsh and Melisandre
Lord of Light, preserve us from this evil. Show us your bright sun again, still these winds, and melt these snows, that we may reach your foes and smite them. The night is dark and cold and full of terrors, but yours is the power and glory and the light. R'hllor, fill us with your fire.[14]
—Godry Farring and the queen's men
References
- ↑ A Clash of Kings, Chapter 33, Catelyn IV.
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 A Dance with Dragons, Chapter 28, Jon VI.
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 3.3 A Storm of Swords, Chapter 63, Davos VI.
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 4.2 4.3 A Dance with Dragons, Chapter 27, Tyrion VII.
- ↑ A Storm of Swords, Chapter 36, Davos IV.
- ↑ A Storm of Swords, Chapter 25, Davos III.
- ↑ 7.0 7.1 A Clash of Kings, Chapter 42, Davos II.
- ↑ A Dance with Dragons, Chapter 56, The Iron Suitor.
- ↑ 9.0 9.1 9.2 A Clash of Kings, Chapter 10, Davos I.
- ↑ A Feast for Crows, Chapter 2, The Captain Of Guards.
- ↑ 11.0 11.1 A Feast for Crows, Chapter 22, Arya II.
- ↑ 12.0 12.1 A Storm of Swords, Chapter 75, Samwell IV.
- ↑ A Dance with Dragons, Chapter 22, Tyrion VI.
- ↑ 14.0 14.1 A Dance with Dragons, Chapter 42, The King's Prize.
- ↑ A Dance with Dragons, Chapter 33, Tyrion VIII.
- ↑ A Dance with Dragons, Chapter 63, Victarion I.
- ↑ A Storm of Swords, Chapter 39, Arya VII.