House Dalt

DISCLAIMER: THE SYMBOLS IN THIS SET ARE FROM THE HBO TV SERIES, NOT THE ORIGINAL NOVELS.

Based on George R.R. Martin’s famous series of novels (collectively known as “A Song of Ice and Fire”), the television series “Game of Thrones” premiered in 2011 on the channel HBO. It is set in a fantasy world heavily based on the society and culture of the European Middle Ages. Two large continents, Westeros and Essos, make up most of the visible landmass in this world, with the former being featured in storylines much more frequently. While typical elements from fantasy stories, such as dragons and various forms of magic, are seen throughout the series, they generally take a backseat to much larger themes, such as military conflicts, political machinations, and family dynamics.

The continent of Westeros is made up of many different regions, each of which has its own culture and history. Most of these regions form constituent parts of a single political realm, which is presided over by a ruling monarch (the region of Dorne is the exception to this rule, for full details see the symbol for ‘House Martell’). While they hold ultimate power over the realm, local governance of each region is handled by a “Great House”, a noble family whose members answer directly to the monarch. Each region also contains an extensive network of lesser noble houses called “Vassal Houses”, who owe their loyalty to the governing Great House. House Dalt is one of the Vassal Houses in Dorne. Their ancestral keep is known as Lemonwood, a castle located on the eastern coast of Dorne near the mouth of the Greenblood River. Their sigil consists of nine wild lemons (yellow) on a field of purple. Their motto, if they have one, has thus far not been revealed.

The meaning of House Dalt’s sigil is explained in the backstory that Martin developed for his world. Due to its hot and mostly arid climate, Dorne is the only region of Westeros that allows the growth of citrus fruits. Lemons, in particular, are a major Dornish export and used throughout Westeros to create the popular dessert known as lemon cakes. House Dalt’s sigil is a clear indicator of this trade.

Image courtesy of SiriusCrane at deviantart.com:

http://www.deviantart.com/art/House-Dalt-Wallpaper-458525578