Swans are waterfowl in the known world similar to the real-life bird.
Culture
[edit]Swans are known for their beauty and serenity.[1][2]
Battling swans are found in the arms of House Swann of Stonehelm.[2] Ser Balon Swann has wide white wings ornamenting his greathelm, and black and white swans fight on his shield.[3] Balon also clasps his cloak with a silver brooch depicting two fighting swans, one ivory and the other onyx.[2]
Westerosi refer to the ships of the Summer Isles as swan ships because of their billowing white sails, their figureheads, and their tall, curved prows.[4][5]
History
[edit]Legends from Pentos claim that seven swan maidens once preyed on travelers in the Velvet Hills.[6]
Lady Johanna Swann, known as the Black Swan, was a courtesan who rose to become the ruler of Lys in all but name.[7]
Recent Events
[edit]A Clash of Kings
[edit]
Arya Stark sees black swans swimming in the Gods Eye.[1]
Cersei and Tyrion Lannister have roast swan stuffed with mushrooms and oysters during a meal at the Red Keep.[8]
A Storm of Swords
[edit]Anguy reveals that he spent much of his winnings from the Hand's tourney on the prostitutes Dancy, Jayde, and Alayaya, enjoying roast swan and wine from the Arbor with the girls.[9]
Slivers of swan poached in a sauce of saffron and peaches are served at the wedding of King Joffrey I Baratheon and Margaery Tyrell.[10]
A Dance with Dragons
[edit]Tyrion refuses black swan when it is served to him at Illyrio's manse in Pentos.[11]
The Winds of Winter
[edit]
| 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. |
Swans in almond milk are served at the Gates of the Moon.[12]
Quotes
[edit]Thirty yards from shore, three black swans were gliding over the water, so serene ... no one had told them that war had come, and they cared nothing for burning towns and butchered men. She stared at them with yearning. Part of her wanted to be a swan. The other part wanted to eat one.[1]
—thoughts of Arya Stark
The swan was too rich for his taste.[8]
—thoughts of Tyrion Lannister
Arianne: I have always been fond of swans. No other bird is half so beautiful, this side of the Summer Isles.
Balon: Your peacocks might dispute that.
Arianne: They might, but peacocks are vain, proud creatures, strutting about in all those gaudy colors. Give me a swan serene in white or beautiful in black.[2]
References
[edit]- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 A Clash of Kings, Chapter 19, Arya V.
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 A Dance with Dragons, Chapter 38, The Watcher.
- ↑ A Clash of Kings, Chapter 2, Sansa I.
- ↑ The World of Ice & Fire, Beyond the Free Cities: The Summer Isles.
- ↑ A Feast for Crows, Chapter 35, Samwell IV.
- ↑ The World of Ice & Fire, Ancient History: The Arrival of the Andals.
- ↑ Fire & Blood, Hers of the Dragon - A Question of Succession.
- ↑ 8.0 8.1 A Clash of Kings, Chapter 54, Tyrion XII.
- ↑ A Storm of Swords, Chapter 39, Arya VII.
- ↑ A Storm of Swords, Chapter 60, Tyrion VIII.
- ↑ A Dance with Dragons, Chapter 1, Tyrion I.
- ↑ The Winds of Winter, Alayne I