House of the Dragon is a juggernaut loved by millions for its high production value and great writing. On several occasions, the show has used subtle imagery to convey important plot points. But there is one thing that viewers are still confused about: why did King Jaehaerys I Targaryen wear white and gold robes when the rulers who followed him were always in red and black attire? We have the answer.
Why did House Of The Dragon only dress King Jaehaerys I Targaryen in white and gold?
King Jaeherys I Targaryen
In House of the Dragon we have seen three rulers so far. One is King Jaehaerys I Targaryen, the other is King Viserys I Targaryen, and the recently crowned- Queen Rhaenyra Targaryen. But of these three Targaryen rulers, only Jaehaerys I wears white and gold robes in his sole appearance in the series’ opening scene. Never before have we seen Rhaenyra or Viserys I wear anything so golden or white. And there are two reasons for this.
The first is that white and gold are royal colors used to represent nobility. In the opening scene of House of the Dragon, the production team needed the audience to understand right away who the king was. And so putting him at the center of the proceedings and in white and gold robes drew viewers’ attention to him. This was especially necessary in a dark castle with low lighting.
Additionally, white and gold are colors that once represented peace and prosperity. So putting Jaehaerys I in these colors indicates his historic 50-year peaceful reign that will never happen again. This contrasts with the bloodshed that would come after him and the one that preceded him, thanks to King Maegor I Targaryen, nicknamed “The Cruel” for his excessive love of torture and violence.
Why did young Rhaenyra Targaryen often wear white and gold clothes?
Princess Rhaenyra Targaryen
Viewers will recall that young Rhaenyra (played by Milly Alcock) was often seen in gold and off-white dresses. This could have been used to indicate that she was the rightful heiress and the one who could have brought the same peace to the kingdom as Jaehaerys I. Also, while hunting, the white stag showed itself to her and not to the hunting party led by his father to commemorate his brother’s birthday.
However, once Rhaenyra grew up, we rarely saw her in such golden and white robes. Thus, the colors of young Rhaenyra could have been used to show naivety (white) and royalty (gold). Another theory claims she was in the off-white and gold robes to reflect her dragon by Syrax colors and convey to the audience the bond between a dragon and a rider.
What do you think? Why did young Rhaenyra wear gold and white robes so often? Let us know.
