What Is The Valyrian Wedding Ritual That Daemon And Rhaenyra Partake In?

House of the Dragon has been showing us bits and pieces of Targaryen and Valyrian culture throughout its episodes. We heard of keeping dragon eggs

By Chandraboli Majumdar
October 3,2022
Featured Image

House of the Dragon has been showing us bits and pieces of Targaryen and Valyrian culture throughout its episodes. We heard of keeping dragon eggs in the cradle of Targaryen children, we saw the dance of Laenor and Rhaenyra and we also saw the celebration of Aegon II Targaryen’s second birthday with a hunting camp. However, House of the Dragon episode 7 gave us an even more beautiful and stunningly mystical wedding between the fan favorites Prince Daemon Targaryen and Princess Rhaenyra Targaryen.

Death of Lady Laena and Laenor Velaryon

Death and funeral of Lady Laena Velaryon in House of the Dragon episode 7
Death and funeral of Lady Laena Velaryon in House of the Dragon episode 7

With the death of Lady Laena Velaryon, Daemon was left widowed and without a wife once again. While he loved and wanted to be with Rhaenyra, she was still married to Laenor Velaryon. By the end of the episode, Rhaenyra decides that she wants to marry Daemon, as not only would she be much happier and satisfied but it would also fortify her claim to the Iron Throne. However, Daemon rightly points out that they cannot marry as long as Laenor lives. So they decide to remove the obstacle that Laenor posed by faking his death. While the rest of the world thought Laenor dead, he simply ran away with his paramour Qarl.

Daemon and Rhaenyra’s wedding in House of the Dragon episode 7

Daemon and Rhaenyra have a Valyrian wedding ceremony
Daemon and Rhaenyra have a Valyrian wedding ceremony

Rhaenyra and Daemon marry the very next morning without wasting any more time. They especially make haste so as to keep it somewhat of a secret atleast from Viserys. They wed one another in the presence of Daemon’s daughters and Rhaenyra’s sons. The entire wedding ceremony was extremely beautiful and almost magical. It was in line with the Targaryen fire and blood legacy. Daemon and Rhaenyra cut one another’s lips using a sharp dragonglass blade and mark their temples with fresh red blood. Then Daemon cuts his hand and lets both his and Rhaenyra’s blood mix together. One of the Septons marry them in Valyrian custom. Even Rhaenyra’s headgear that she wears during the ceremony is absolutely beautiful. Their gown too were right on theme as they were a pale white with red dyed edges.

Valyrian Blood Wedding ceremony

Daemon and Rhaenyra wed by fire and blood in House of the Dragon episode 7
Daemon and Rhaenyra wed by fire and blood in House of the Dragon episode 7

The Valyrian wedding ceremonies are of great significance. They are carried out by Septons from House Targaryen who recite prayers and vows. The entire ritual involving blood is keeping with the Targaryen legacy of being wed by blood and fire. Targaryens encouraged incestuous relationships and weddings so as to keep the Valyrian blood pure. Thus the mixing of blood between Daemon and Rhaenyra symbolizes the same. It also signifies that they are both bound to one another and are “one flesh, one heart, one soul, now and forever”.

Valyrian wedding with blood and fire
Valyrian wedding with blood and fire

Daemon and Rhaenyra both seem to cherish their Valyrian ancestry and heritage. We have seen this in the fact that Daemon possesses Dark Sister and gave Rhaenyra a necklace of Valyrian steel as well. So it was great to see them get married in Valyrian tradition instead of the usual Westerosi ceremony.

Maegor Targaryen marries Alys Harroway in Valyrian ceremony
Maegor Targaryen marries Alys Harroway in Valyrian ceremony

In the books, even Maegor Targaryen married his second wife Lady Alys Harroway in a similar Valyrian wedding ceremony in Dragonstone. This was with the blessing of his mother Dowager Queen Visenya Targaryen. They married in such a manner because the realm refused to accept their union especially with his first wife, Ceryse, still alive and well. In fact the ceremony was officiated by Queen Visenya herself as such ceremonies do not necessitate a priest or septon.