why does baelon targaryen have black hair

Baelor (often called Baelor Breakspear) has black/dark hair because of his Dornish mother, not because he “isn’t really” a Targaryen.
The in‑universe answer
In the lore of A Song of Ice and Fire / Game of Thrones:
- Baelor’s father is King Daeron II Targaryen, a classic silver‑haired Targaryen.
- His mother is Myriah Martell of Dorne, whose Dornish features include darker coloring.
- Baelor inherits his darker hair from his Martell side, so he looks less “typical Valyrian” and more Dornish.
Genetically, Valyrian silver‑blond hair is treated as a recessive trait in‑world: it tends to show up when both parents carry it, while “black/brown Baratheon‑style” or Dornish dark hair behaves like a dominant trait. That’s the same logic used in the story to reveal that Joffrey isn’t Robert’s trueborn son and that Rhaenyra’s children are bastards, and it’s also why Jon Snow can be a true Targaryen but still have dark hair.
So, Baelor is 100% a legitimate Targaryen prince; he just gets his black hair from his Dornish mother.
Why it matters thematically
Writers and fans point out that Baelor’s look helps:
- Visually separate him from other dragon‑lord‑looking Targaryens.
- Echo Jon Snow: a dark‑haired “different kind of Targaryen” whose appearance makes people doubt or underestimate him.
- Undercut the idea that only people with silver hair are “real” Targaryens or worthy to rule.
Some commentary even notes that his humble appearance (simple clothes, brown hair, broken nose) reinforces that he’s defined more by honor and behavior than by flashy Valyrian looks.
Quick SEO‑style notes for your post
- Focus keyword to repeat naturally: “why does baelon targaryen have black hair”.
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Why does Baelor Targaryen have black hair instead of classic silver? Explore his Dornish ancestry, the genetics of Targaryen looks, and what his dark hair means for the story.
Mini structure you can use
- H1: Why Does Baelon Targaryen Have Black Hair?
- H2: His Dornish Mother, Myriah Martell
- H2: Targaryen Genetics and Dark Hair
- H2: What His Hair Color Symbolizes (and Jon Snow Parallels)
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