Corlys Velaryon’s White Hair Explained House Velaryon’s Old Valyrian Roots
Fans of ‘House of the Dragon‘ frequently question why Corlys Velaryon sports that distinctive silvery mane, especially since he visually contrasts with the rest of Westeros nobility. The answer traces back to the intricate world-building that George R.R. Martin established long before the HBO series premiered.
Corlys leads House Velaryon, and like the Targaryens, his lineage directly descends from Old Valyria, the ancient empire whose inhabitants possessed a unique genetic appearance passed down through generations.
Valyrians are recognized throughout the franchise for their distinct physical characteristics, with hair color being a prominent feature. Valyrians typically have purple eyes and hair that ranges from silver-gold to platinum white, which is why every member of House Targaryen shares that same hair color. This genetic trait is precisely why Corlys, despite not being a dragonrider, still exhibits the look associated with dragon blood.
As the head of House Velaryon, a lineage as ancient as House Targaryen, Corlys’s silver hair is a direct result of their shared ancestry. However, the Velaryons are not as rigid about blood purity as the Targaryens. One of their ancestors had an Andal mother from the Stormlands, leading to some descendants having honey blonde hair and blue eyes instead of the classic silver hair and purple eyes. Nonetheless, the Valyrian bloodlines often still produce the same distinctive traits seen in the Targaryens, including silver hair and purple or indigo eyes.
Historically, Valyrians are described as having pale skin, silver-gold hair, and purple eyes, along with notably high cheekbones. This description is ingrained in the lore long before ‘House of the Dragon’ cast its first actor, which is why the hair color itself was never really up for creative debate.
The portrayal of House Velaryon by Black and biracial actors sparked some debate among fans regarding how the white hair fits into this casting choice. Corlys is not specifically described with a particular skin color in the source material, although his hair color is confirmed as Targaryen white blonde, which is why the show utilizes a wig for the character.
In Martin’s book ‘Fire & Blood,’ the Velaryons are depicted as having white skin, ghostly pale hair, and purple eyes, which contrasts with the show’s portrayal of the family. In the series, House Velaryon is characterized by darker skin paired with that same silvery white hair, which is sometimes styled in dreadlocks.
Showrunner Ryan Condal addressed this directly, explaining that featuring a Black family on the show helps differentiate characters onscreen and aids viewers in remembering which house each character belongs to. He also mentioned that this choice emphasizes the questionable parentage of Rhaenyra Targaryen’s children, who bear the Velaryon name but appear strikingly different from the rest of the family.
The visual representation of House Velaryon was not a random creative decision. Condal revealed that Martin had considered, during the initial conception of the world, the idea of the Velaryons as a race of Black people with silver hair. This striking image resonated with Condal, becoming the visual template for the Velaryons that audiences see in ‘House of the Dragon’ today.
Condal noted that Martin envisioned the Velaryons as a race of Black people with silver hair who came from across the ocean to conquer Westeros, describing it as a fascinating and stark image worth revisiting. This backstory reframes the hair not as a contradiction but as a significant aspect of their identity.
Corlys’ white hair is not merely a stylistic choice; it plays a crucial role in the narrative. True Velaryon and Targaryen offspring are expected to inherit that pale, silvery hair, and any child born without it raises immediate questions about parentage within the family.
Corlys’ illegitimate son Alyn does possess the signature white hair representing his father’s house, though he keeps his head shaved to conceal it, while his brother Addam lacks the trademark white hair of their ancestry entirely. This difference between the two brothers becomes a subtle yet significant detail as their storylines progress in Season 2.
Actor Steve Toussaint has also shared his thoughts on the reactions to his casting and the visual choices associated with it. In an interview with Men’s Health, Toussaint pointed out that while fans were content with a dragon flying and accepted white hair and violet eyes, some found it difficult to accept a wealthy Black character in the role.
So, the next time Corlys appears on screen with that unmistakable silver mane, remember it represents centuries of Valyrian bloodline lore finally receiving its due. Do you believe the show’s interpretation of House Velaryon’s appearance adds meaningful depth to the Dance of the Dragons, or would you have preferred a depiction more aligned with the books?