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vivacissimx · 2 years

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Daenerys & "Lightbringer" symbolism

Unfortunately still on this but "Daenerys and lightbringer symbolize the xtian devil Lucifer" has unhinged me, so here's my own unhinged post split into three parts:

I. ROMAN MYTHOS

Lucifer is indeed the latin for light bringer, with Lucifer being the pagan Roman deity associated with the morning star—that bright star which is actually the planet Venus. Venus is also the Roman goddess of love, beauty, fertility etc., with ancient Rome being the civilization ancient Valyria is largely based on.

Venus is a star, and Venus the goddess was carried from the sea to land on seafoam. Venus, the Queen Goddess of Love & Beauty

[The Birth of Venus by Botticelli (1480s) and Cornelis de Vos (1636-38)]

"What does Your Grace wish to wear?" asked Missandei.

Starlight and seafoam, Dany thought, a wisp of silk that leaves my left breast bare for Daario's delight. Oh, and flowers for my hair. When first they met, the captain brought her flowers every day

—ADWD, Dany IV

Venus is born fully grown.

She felt older than her fourteen years. If ever she had truly been a girl, that time was done.

—ACOK, Dany I

Venus also rotates in the opposite direction to earth, so it's sun rises in the west instead of the east.

The words of Mirri Maz Duur rang in her head. When the sun rises in the west and sets in the east.

—ADWD, Dany VIII

II. GREEK MYTHOS & SCIENTIFIC SYMBOLISM

To travel back farther, the Greek equivalent of Rome's Lucifer (the male herald of the dawn) is Phosphoros (latin & eng. Phosphorus), meaning light-bringer or dawn-bringer.

[excerpt: Francis Quarles, Emblems Divine & Moral (1635)]

The Christian devil is mostly associated with sulfur/brimstone wrt burning, but phosphorus is also a periodic element that burns with a distinct white light. The element symbolized enlightenment in the 1800's, in no small part because phosphorus-based lamps brought astonishing light.

Phosphoros the deity is a planet, but phosphorus the element potentially came to earth via another celestial phenomenon.

The first star was a comet, burning red. Bloodred; fire red; the dragon's tail. She could not have asked for a stronger sign.

—AGOT, Dany X

Comets don't get their color from phosphorus, but generally speaking, white phosphorus is the unstable type used in weaponry which earned phosphorus the nickname "the Devil's element"; while red phosphorus is more stable and is used in fertilizer, common matches, steel, etc.

As with most things, phosphorus can be used for great or terrible ends. In our daily life, it helps us thrive.

...which is an interesting parallel to the dichotomy we see Dany face herself where we leave her:

"I was tired, Jorah. I was weary of war. I wanted to rest, to laugh, to plant trees and see them grow. I am only a young girl."

No. You are the blood of the dragon. The whispering was growing fainter, as if Ser Jorah were falling farther behind. Dragons plant no trees.

—ADWD, Dany X

III. ISLAMIC MYTHOS

Speaking of strangely burning fires! In the Muslim (& pre-Islamic Arab) tradition, the race of jinn are made from "smokeless fire." The Muslim devil belongs to this race, although the jinn themselves have free will and mortal lifespans.

[Qur'an 55:15]

For dragons are fire made flesh, and fire is power.

—ACOK, Dany II

There are two other miraculous earthly fires in the Qur'an: the fire that Abraham is thrown into, in which he does not burn...

[Q 21:69]

The fire burned away my hair, but elsewise it did not touch me.

—ADWD, Dany X

...and the burning bush shown to Moses that granted him a purpose with certain portents, returning him to Egypt and culminating in the exodus. [Q 28:29-31]

"We knew you were to come to us," the wizard king said. "A thousand years ago we knew, and have been waiting all this time. We sent the comet to show you the way."

"We have knowledge to share with you," said a warrior in shining emerald armor, "and magic weapons to arm you with. You have passed every trial. Now come and sit with us, and all your questions shall be answered."

—ACOK, Dany IV

[note: in Islam, comets aren't as portents of specific human events — there are, however, other celestial phenomena that are ascribed significance.]

Abraham and Moses both wander following their exiles, just as Daenerys wanders through the Red Waste and does again in Slaver's Bay.

Daenerys also goes on to break the chains of slavery. Moses is known to lead away the Children of Israel. The arabicized name used in the Qur'an for Moses is Musa, which derives from the same Hebrew root verb "pulled from water."

And, speaking of coming out of water — can't forget we have Venus born from the sea. Daenerys born from the storm.

Venus the planet of Lucifer, and Daenerys the bringer of light.

#daenerys targaryen #lightbringer #roman mythology #greek mythology #islamic perspective #asoiaf #valyrianscrolls #targnovember2021 #canondany #text #long post #oops #'do you actually think these--' some of em yeah #some of em no #i dont think germ knows shit about islam but i do!#wish i knew enough about zoroastrianism to talk but eye do not

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