House of the Dragon showed us bits of Targaryen and Valyrian culture throughout its episodes. We’ve heard of keeping dragon eggs in the Targaryen children’s cradle, we’ve seen Laenor and Rhaenyra’s dance, and we’ve also seen Aegon II Targaryen’s second anniversary celebration with a hunting camp. However, dragon house episode 7 gave us an even more beautiful and incredibly mystical wedding between 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
With the death of Lady Laena Velaryon, Daemon found herself widowed and womanless once again. While he loved and wanted to be with Rhaenyra, she was still married to Laenor Velaryon. At the end of the episode, Rhaenyra decides that she wants to marry Daemon, because not only would she be much happier and more satisfied, but it would also strengthen her claim to the Iron Throne. However, Daemon rightly points out that they cannot marry while Laenor lives. So they decide to remove the obstacle that Laenor posed by faking her death. While the rest of the world thought Laenor was dead, he simply ran away with her lover Qarl.
Daemon and Rhaenyra’s wedding in House of the Dragon episode 7
Daemon and Rhaenyra have a Valyrian wedding ceremony
Rhaenyra and Daemon get married the next morning without wasting any more time. They are especially quick to keep this a bit of a secret at least viserys. They were married in the presence of Daemon’s daughters and Rhaenyra’s sons. The whole wedding ceremony was extremely beautiful and almost magical. It was in keeping with the fire and blood heritage of the Targaryens. Daemon and Rhaenyra slash their lips with a sharp dragonglass blade and mark their temples with fresh red blood. Then Daemon cuts off his hand and lets his and Rhaenyra’s blood mix. One of the septons will marry them according to Valyrian custom. Even the Rhaenyra headgear she wears during the ceremony is absolutely stunning. Their dress was also on the theme as they were pale white with edges dyed red.
Valyrian Blood Wedding Ceremony
Daemon and Rhaenyra were married by fire and blood in House of the Dragon episode 7
Valyrian wedding ceremonies are of great importance. They are performed by septons of House Targaryen who recite prayers and vows. The entire ritual involving blood is in keeping with the Targaryen heritage of being married by blood and fire. The Targaryens encouraged incestuous relationships and marriages in order to keep Valyrian blood pure. So the blood mixture between Daemon and Rhaenyra symbolizes the same thing. It also means that they are both related to each other and are “one flesh, one heart, one soul, now and forever”.
Valyrian Wedding of Blood and Fire
Both Daemon and Rhaenyra seem to cherish their Valyrian ancestry and heritage. We saw this in Daemon possessing Dark Sister and also giving Rhaenyra a Valyrian Steel Collar. So it was great to see them get married in the Valyrian tradition instead of the usual Westerosi ceremony.
Maegor Targaryen Marries Alys Harroway in Valyrian Ceremony
In the books, even Maegor Targaryen married his second wife, Lady Alys Harroway, in a Valyrian wedding ceremony similar to Dragonstone. It was with the blessing of his mother, Queen Dowager Visenya Targaryen. They married this way because the kingdom refused to accept their union, especially with his first wife, Ceryse, who was still alive and well. In fact, the ceremony was presided over by Queen Visenya herself, as such ceremonies do not require a priest or septon.
