No, the Valyrians are not universally depicted as Black. In George R.R. Martin's original "A Song of Ice and Fire" book series, Valyrians, including the noble families that survived the Doom of Valyria such as the Targaryens and Velaryons, are consistently described with very distinct features:
- Hair: Silver or platinum blonde, often described as "silver-gold."
- Eyes: Unusual shades of violet, indigo, or pale blue.
- Skin: Typically fair or pale, reflecting their ancient origins in Essos.
Valyrian Appearance in Book Canon
The unique physical traits of Valyrians are often attributed to their practice of maintaining blood purity through generations of incestuous marriages. These features set them apart from other peoples in Westeros and Essos, signifying their ancient, dragonlord lineage.
The Velaryon Family in House of the Dragon
While the book canon portrays Valyrians as having fair skin, the television series House of the Dragon, a prequel to Game of Thrones, made a creative decision to portray the Velaryon family—a prominent Valyrian house—as Black. This artistic choice was made for several reasons:
- Visual Distinction: The showrunner indicated that casting the Velaryon family as Black provided a practical benefit: with a large ensemble cast and many characters sharing similar names, it made it easier for viewers to differentiate between families and their allegiances. This casting decision helped establish a clear visual identity for the Velaryons, setting them apart from the Targaryens, who retained their iconic silver hair and fair skin.
- World-Building & Diversity: This change also aimed to reflect a more diverse world within the fantasy setting, bringing new representation to a core family in the narrative.
Despite this change for the Velaryons in House of the Dragon, it does not alter the established book canon for the wider Valyrian ethnicity, which remains characterized by their distinct silver hair, violet eyes, and fair complexion. Therefore, the answer depends on whether one refers to the source material or a specific television adaptation.
| Feature | Valyrians (Book Canon) | Velaryons (House of the Dragon Show) |
|---|---|---|
| Hair Color | Silver-gold | Primarily Black (though some characters may wear silver wigs to denote Targaryen heritage) |
| Eye Color | Violet/purple | Varied (typical human eye colors) |
| Skin Tone | Fair/pale | Black |
| Origin | Ancient Valyrian Freehold in Essos | Ancient Valyrian Freehold in Essos |
| Rationale | Genetic traits maintained through selective breeding | Creative casting choice for visual distinction and diversity |
