A glyph is any kind of purposeful mark.
Culture
The Valyrians writing system is described as involving ancient glyphs. Some objects engraved with their glyphs still survive,[1] and the glyphs are still used by red priests in Volantis[2] and slavers from Yunkai.[3] Both the Free Cities and the Slaver Cities use glyphs to write Valyrian.[4][5]
Some learned Westerosi are also familiar with the glyphs, like Tyrion Lannister, who can identify the meaning of about two in every ten glyphs. These glyphs correspond to individual words, including Doom and Darkness,[2] and they can also be used to write an individual's name.[3] Modern Ghiscari continue to write with Ghiscari glyphs.[5]
Recent Events
A Game of Thrones
On the day Daenerys Targaryen is to meet Khal Drogo for the first time, Illyrio Mopatis has the girl wear a silk gown of deep plum, gilded sandals, a tiara, and a heavy golden torc emblazoned with Valyrian glyphs, to emphasize the fact that she is a princess.[1]
In a magic ritual to save Khal Drogo's life, Mirri Maz Duur uses a leaf-shaped knife of hammered red bronze covered with ancient glyphs to cut the throat of Drogo's stallion.[4]
A Storm of Swords
While showing off the Unsullied to Daenerys Targaryen, Kraznys mo Nakloz turns to one of them, Red Flea, and flicks his lash at the bronze disk he is carrying, which bears Ghiscari glyphs.[5]
A Feast for Crows
During the kingsmoot on Old Wyk, Euron Greyjoy displays Dragonbinder, a large dragon horn whose bands are covered by Valyrian glyphs. When the horn sounds, the glyphs glow red-hot, and then white-hot.[6][7]
A Dance with Dragons
In Volantis, Tyrion Lannister sees Benerro, the High Priest at the Temple of the Lord of Light, make flames leap from his fingers, recognizing Doom and Darkness among the Valyrian glyphs of flame which leap from his fingers.[2]
The slaves in Yezzan zo Qaggaz's "collection" wear gilded iron collars, with his name incised in Valyrian glyphs.[3]
According to Moqorro, a red priest, the Valyrian glyphs on the horn read, "I am Dragonbinder... No mortal man shall sound me and live... Blood for fire, fire for blood".[7]
The Winds of Winter
| Warning This information has thus far been released in a sample chapter for The Winds of Winter, and might therefore not be in finalized form. Keep in mind that the content as described below is still subject to change. |
King Euron Greyjoy wears a suit of Valyrian steel armor that has whorls and glyphs and arcane symbols folded into the steel.[8]
Known glyphs
Only two types of glyphs have been shown so far:
Behind the Scenes
House of the Dragon alleges that Littlefinger's blade, when heated by fire, displays Valyrian glyphs that read, "From my blood will come the Prince That Was Promised, and his will be the Song of Ice and Fire".[9]
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 A Game of Thrones, Chapter 3, Daenerys I.
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 A Dance with Dragons, Chapter 27, Tyrion VII.
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 A Dance with Dragons, Chapter 47, Tyrion X.
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 A Game of Thrones, Chapter 64, Daenerys VIII.
- ↑ 5.0 5.1 5.2 5.3 A Storm of Swords, Chapter 23, Daenerys II.
- ↑ A Feast for Crows, Chapter 19, The Drowned Man.
- ↑ 7.0 7.1 A Dance with Dragons, Chapter 63, Victarion I.
- ↑ The Winds of Winter, The Forsaken
- ↑ House of the Dragon, Season 1, Episode 4: "King of the Narrow Sea".