Highlights
- House Sigils in Game of Thrones represent the essence of each noble family, their pride, history, and values, allowing fans to connect with their favorite houses.
- House Sigils have deep origins and significance, dating back to the Age of Heroes, and serve as symbols of allegiance and identity on the battlefield and in society.
- Each house's sigil carries a unique meaning. For example, House Stark's direwolf represents loyalty and resilience, House Lannister's golden lion symbolizes ambition and power, and House Targaryen's three-headed dragon represents their history as dragonlords and conquerors.
Game of Thrones is all about Houses fighting for the throne. Each house has a unique way of doing things, their own motto, and their own sigil that represents who they are. These symbols, seen on banners, armor, and weapons, serve as powerful reminders of their houses’ lineage, history, and values. The sigils’ role is more than a fashion statement, they hold unique qualities and a connection to the Seven Kingdoms.
Between the story, epic battles, and both beloved and despised characters, the House Sigils stand as emblems that embody the essence of each noble family in Westeros. They also give Game of Thrones fans a more tangible way for them to feel identified with a certain house and connect with its members. While power constantly changes hands, House Sigils serve as a reminder of what’s at the core of each house, their pride, history, and values, and a faithful way to feel connected to their roots.
Origins and Significance of House Sigils
House Sigils trace their roots back to the Age of Heroes, when noble families started rising to prominence. House Sigils became essential in the world of feudalism, and these distinctive symbols, often inspired by their lands or the creatures they admired, were present on shields, armor, and tapestries, representing a house’s allegiance and identity on the battlefield and in different gatherings.
In Game of Thrones, the houses battle it out for the Iron Throne, as well as power, dominance, and survival. Staying united as a house is crucial, as it provides the strength and support necessary to overcome the ever-changing political climate. Sigils serve as a way to unite all its members and inspire them to stay faithful to what their house stands for.
What Does Each Sigil Mean?
House Stark is represented by a direwolf, set against a field of gray, which mirrors this house’s indomitable spirit. The direwolf, native to the wilderness of the North, symbolizes the Stark family’s loyalty to their people, their endurance, and their resilience. Besides their bravery, their sigil also showcases their protective and nurturing side, much like the direwolves they proudly display.
House Lannister’s sigil is a golden lion on a crimson background, symbolizing their ambition and regal grandeur. The lion’s fierce yet majestic presence represents the family’s pursuit of power, wealth, and influence. As a conservative and traditional house in Westeros, a golden lion fits them perfectly. Like lions, the Lannisters are also known for their cunning and calculated strategies.
A three-headed dragon, set against a black background, the sigil of House Targaryen, portrays the house’s legacy and their connection to dragons and ancient Valyria. Their emblem goes back to the days when House Targaryen ruled as dragonlords, and commanded the skies with their magnificent beasts. Each head of the dragon represents Aegon the Conqueror and his two sister-wives, Rhaenys and Visenya, who led the invasion of Westeros and forged the Iron Throne.
The vigilant House Arryn, rulers of the Vale, is accurately represented by a soaring bird displayed on a field of blue. The bird reflects the house’s mastery of the skies and their strategic advantage of controlling the Eyrie, a fortress located high in the mountains. Their sigil presents an elegant house, always prepared to protect their domain.
A golden rose on a green field perfectly captures the beauty and elegance of House Tyrell, rulers of the Reach. The Tyrells, like the flower they embody, excel in forming alliances and nurturing the growth of their house. But just like the Tyrells, the flower has thorns beneath its petals. Their sigil represents their rise to power and diplomatic prowess, traits that have made them one of the most influential houses.
House Greyjoy is represented by a Kraken against a black background, which illustrates their dominion over the Iron Islands. Just as the mythical Kraken lurks beneath the waves, House Greyjoy’s influence spreads across the seas, but they also hold back, and attacks are rare. They are known for their fearless nature, and their identity as people shaped by the unpredictable sea is well represented by their sigil.
With a fiery spirit and strength, as the rulers of the region of Dorne, House Martell’s sigil is a red sun pierced by a golden spear. The sun symbolizes the heat of the desert and the passionate nature of the Martells, and the spear acts as a reminder of their capacity for revenge and justice, as they are always ready to strike against those who wrong them.
A stag embodies the endurance and resilience of House Baratheon, rulers of the Stormlands. The stag symbolizes Robert Baratheon’s claim to the Iron Throne and the power from his royal lineage, and also represents their determination to defend their kingdom against all odds, much like the stag they embody.
House Tully of Riverrun is represented by a silver trout leaping over waves. The trout depicts the house’s strategic location near the rivers and their association with water. Their sigil reflects their adaptability and strong family bonds, as they navigate the changing political climate with poise and determination.