Jon Snow, one of the central characters in Game of Thrones, was known for his dark brown hair. This was unusual considering he was supposedly the son of Ned Stark and the half-brother of the Stark children, all of whom had the typical Stark look of dark brown hair and grey eyes.
Jon’s True Parentage
In the early seasons of Game of Thrones, Jon Snow was thought to be the illegitimate son of Ned Stark. However, it was later revealed that Jon’s true parents were Lyanna Stark and Rhaegar Targaryen. As fans know, the Targaryens were known for their distinctive silver-blonde or platinum hair color. So why didn’t Jon inherit the classic Targaryen locks?
There are a few potential explanations:
- As a half-Stark, the dark brown Stark hair was more dominant genetically over the silvery Targaryen hair. Dark hair is generally more dominant than light hair.
- Lyanna Stark also had dark brown hair, so Jon likely inherited more of her features than Rhaegar’s.
- Ned Stark falsely claimed Jon as his own illegitimate son in order to protect him from those who may have wanted to kill any remaining Targaryen heirs after Robert’s Rebellion.
By claiming Jon as his own bastard son, Ned was able to disguise Jon’s Targaryen lineage and keep him safer, which was helped by Jon inheriting more Stark-like features.
Theories on Jon’s Hair Color
Even though genetics seem to be the most straightforward explanation for Jon’s dark hair, some fans have come up with alternative theories over the years:
Magic Was Involved
Some believe Ned Stark or Howland Reed used magic to alter Jon’s appearance as a baby to better conceal his identity. Glamour magic exists in the world of Game of Thrones, so this may have been possible.
Hair Darkened Over Time
Targaryens were not born with white hair – it silvered and lightened over time. So if Jon’s hair had been allowed to lighten naturally, it may have turned more platinum. Being raised as a Stark, his hair was kept trimmed and dark.
The Baratheons’ Black Hair Was More Dominant
Rhaegar’s wife, Elia Martell, was Dornish and had dark hair. Some fans think perhaps the Baratheon black hair from Robert’s Rebellion was still strong enough in the bloodline to overpower the Targaryen silvery hair when combined with the Stark dark hair.
How Jon’s Hair Impacted the Story
While genetics seem to be the logical reason Jon Snow had dark hair instead of white, his hair color had significance in the overall story arc of Game of Thrones.
Jon was able to keep his Targaryen identity hidden early on because he fit in so well with the Stark children. No one questioned Ned bringing home a bastard son who looked just like him. Jon’s hair helped him blend in and served as part of his disguise and protection.
His hair also represented how he identified himself – as a Stark rather than a Targaryen. Despite his true lineage, Jon saw himself as Ned Stark’s son and a brother of the Stark clan. His dark locks aligned with how he viewed his own identity.
Finally, the surprise of Jon’s parentage was able to build over the seasons before being revealed in season 6. If Jon had the classic Targaryen hair from the start, his secret heritage may have been given away too early in the show or books.
The Significance of Hair Color in Game of Thrones
Hair color is very meaningful in the world of Game of Thrones. Some key examples:
- The Baratheons were known for their black hair, which was a plot point when Joffrey, Tommen, and Myrcella were revealed to actually be Jaime and Cersei’s children instead of Robert’s.
- Daenerys being a blonde Targaryen was central to her identity and claim to the throne.
- The wildlings south of the Wall tended to be redheads, while northern families like the Starks had dark hair.
- Hair color helped identify different houses and regions, like the sandy Dornishmen or the silver-haired Valyrians.
Jon’s dark Stark hair therefore had great significance in hiding his true heritage. When his curly white locks finally emerged in season 8, it was a pivotal moment for the character and the show overall.
Conclusion
Jon Snow’s lack of white Targaryen hair can be logically explained through genetics – the dark brown Stark hair was more dominant over the silvery Targaryen hair. His hair color hid his true lineage for many seasons, allowing his identity reveal to be drawn out significantly over the course of Game of Thrones. While speculative magical theories exist for why his hair was dark, the straightforward hereditary explanation seems to make the most sense in the established rules of the Game of Thrones world. Regardless of exact reasons, Jon Snow’s hair being dark rather than white had great significance in the overall story arc of the show.
