‘House of the Dragon’: Who Are the Green Men? Explained

The season finale teased the biggest mystery in ‘A Song of Ice and Fire.’

The season finale of House of the Dragon Season 2 teased one of the most elusive mysteries in George R.R. Martin’s A Song of Ice and Fire series – “The Green Men.” This enigmatic element, completely omitted from Game of Thrones, has now made an appearance, exciting fans everywhere. Let’s delve into why this revelation is so significant, but be warned, there are spoilers ahead!

In Season 2, Episode 8, Daemon Targaryen’s (Matt Smith) time at Harrenhal brings him face to face with an intriguing vision at the Weirwood tree. When following Alys Rivers (Gayle Rankin) to the Godswood, Daemon notices a figure with antlers on its head near the tree. As they approach, the figure scurries away, leaving no comment from Alys or Daemon. This hints strongly at the Green Men, a legendary race on Westeros unseen for thousands of years, perhaps as long as the White Walkers.

The Green Men are frequently mentioned in Martin’s books and occasionally referenced in the TV adaptations. Much like the White Walkers, giants, and the Children of the Forest, many characters assume the Green Men are extinct or mythical. However, the audience learns that most of these legendary beings are still very much alive. Although we never see the Green Men directly on screen or in the novels, they are said to reside on the Isle of Faces, located at the center of the God’s Eye Lake near Harrenhal.

Given Martin’s use of unreliable narrators, our knowledge of the Green Men is limited and often speculative. Historical accounts and lore suggest several theories about this small tribe. For instance, Old Nan tells Bran Stark that the Green Men have dark green skin, are considerably taller than the Children of the Forest, and possess antlers on their heads. Contrarily, maesters propose that they might be humans wearing green attire and elaborate headgear, though few have ventured to the Isle of Faces to verify.

It’s said that those who approach the Isle of Faces are deterred by supernatural currents, adverse weather, or even flocks of ravens, possibly controlled by Greenseers. However, Howland Reed reportedly visited the isle, as relayed to Bran by Reed’s children, Meera and Jojen, though details remain scarce. Meanwhile, the book Fire & Blood hints that a character may visit the isle during the unfolding war, but the historical nature of the narrative leaves this uncertain.

Despite the ambiguity, the Isle of Faces and the Green Men are central to several compelling fan theories concerning A Song of Ice and Fire and how its ending might diverge from Game of Thrones. These theories received renewed energy earlier this year when an official A Song of Ice and Fire calendar depicted Jon Snow’s parents, Lyanna Stark and Rhaegar Targaryen, under a green tree with a carved face. Fans interpreted this as a clue that Weirwood trees might be magically corrupted and were once lush and green. The Isle of Faces, protected by the Green Men, could be the last place where such trees exist.

Ultimately, the Green Men appear to hold the final piece to unlocking the mysteries of Weirwood magic in Martin’s saga. With House of the Dragon featuring a Green Man on screen for the first time, fans are eager for more revelations from the TV adaptations while awaiting the release of the books. House of the Dragon can be streamed on Max, with Season 3 in pre-production. The next spinoff, A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms: The Hedge Knight, is set to premiere in 2025. Martin’s books are available in print, digital, and audiobook formats. The release date for The Winds of Winter remains unknown.

Source: source names