The 'King Asleep in the Mountain' Motif 💀 in ASOIAF

What is the king asleep in the mountain motif?
And why has this recurring theme manifested itself in the myths and folklore of numerous cultures worldwide from the ancient past, right through to the present day?
With examples of this motif found in the works of JRR Tolkien
And as we’re about to discuss in this video, George RR Martin as well…
💀Timestamps:
0:00 - Intro
0:31 - The King Asleep in the Mountain motif
3:13 - Examples of Kings Asleep in Mountains
5:58 - Why this Motif Exists
7:01 - The Dead Men of Dunharrow
8:34 - Stone Kings Beneath the Earth
16:07 - Stone Army Beneath the Earth
17:32 - The Inaccessible Area
20:09 - The Titan of Braavos
21:11 - The Marble King
22:29 - Outro
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💀All Images from HBOs Game of Thrones used here under fair use

[@peterwindhorst5775]

Blood-Raven / Three-Eyed Crow is also a "King under the mountain."

[@eldric.stoneskin]

He certainly is, and is also described as looking like “some ghastly statue”

[@SingingSealRiana]

not a king, but warriors waiting to rise and defend all the same would be the terracotta army. Statues sealed underneith the earth with the intention of them waking and fighting should the need arise . . . I love this series!

[@eldric.stoneskin]

Thankyou! Yes another great example!

[@leviathan8621]

Loved it! Can’t believe someone hasn’t picked up on this parallel yet! Keep them comin dude

[@eldric.stoneskin]

Thanks! Will do!

[@shara1979]

It's been discussed, just not since the show 1st came out & everyone started commenting about the shows & books. Regardless, yes, thanx for bringing it up again, it's a theory alot of ppl forgot about. Great job! Awesome topic!

[@KarlKarsnark]

Another EPIC! vidya. As T. H. White so succinctly put it in the title of his own rendition of the Arthur Myth, "The Once and Future King" motif is deeply ancient and can be seen in many forms in our own world all throughout History. The so called "Terracotta Warriors" of Emperor Qin, are a great example an army of "stone soldiers" who were put beneath the Earth with their King, not to mention the countless examples in Egyptian funerary customs in which funerary statuary that serve as "Stone Sentinels" that symbolically guard/protect graves all throughout history. Indeed, what are the Pyramids if not "Mountains" in which to bury their Kings. "The dead rose" when Jesus was crucified and he himself was entombed only to rise again, just like our boy Jon Snow will surely do. ("Christ is King!", "He is Risen!", etc...). Even "Star Wars" uses "Carbonite" to store away Han Solo for safe keeping until he's needed later to help his friends. LOL! These sorts of Cthonic Myths of the "Underworld" are nearly ubiquitous the world over, or so it seems. All of the language GRRM uses is anthropomorphic, as well, which is no "accident". The idea of "living stone" is also in keeping with his love of pairing seemingly opposite traits (e.g. "nothing burns like the cold"; "Summer snow"; "Ice & Fire"). The very notion of a "tomb" being a "womb", or a place of "rebirth"/resurrection, is also in line with the motif of bringing forth life from death. "Rising from the ashes", "A Dream of Spring", as it were. In fact, we're told very early on that Winterfell is "alive" in many ways and that the structures were built to contour the land, rather than simply leveling out a place indiscriminately. Presumably any forms of excavation into the ground would be like a form of "surgery" into a "living" entity. You could even go so far as to call the bodies in the crypts as being a form of "In Vitro Fertilization" where the bodies are "implanted into the womb-tomb" so as to allow them to be (re)-birthed at at later date. There are also many other forms of "magic stone(s)" found all throughout the books and all over Planetos, so this isn't really as implausible within their world as it seems. If "oily black stone" in Asshai "corrupts life", then perhaps the stone of Winterfell is its "equal but opposite" and serves more to "preserve life". The slowly rusting swords on the Kings' laps are also a great narrative trick for adding tension. They serve almost as "fuses"/clocks that countdown how much time is remaining before "All Hell(underworld/toms) breaks loose". As the reader, we understand what they mean, but no one in-story seems to, which makes us want to "yell at the screen" to let them know what is surely coming. Alfred Hitchcock used the same method in many of his films. If we can see a "ticking time bomb" ticking away throughout the story, but our characters cannot, the sense of involvement and urgency continually rises and rises. The fact there is no longer a Stark in Winterfell means that it's simply a matter of time at this point, as well. This is a particularly clever technique to use on what are otherwise silent, motionless, inert, "stone" objects. It will be interesting to see exactly what "magical mechanism" it takes for them to finally arise. I'm not sure if Bran needs to "do" something(he too is a (possible) King in the Earth), or if the statues will "come to life" once the swords rust through and their are no longer "bound" to the Crypts. Cheers! P.S. I'm sure you've seen them already, but Rober @InDeepGeek has some great Crypt Statue vids, as well. Double-Cheers!

[@eldric.stoneskin]

Thanks Karl! Yeah the fact Winterfell was never levelled places these sleeping stone kings under a mountain as well, these are all amazing points mate! And I do think Bran has something to do with waking them, if you haven’t seen my part 7 video, I think Bran skinchanging hodor who parallels a giant king of winter very strongly might suggest Bran controlling these giants from beneath the earth, there’s a lot of symbolism around “children controlling giants” or “children using giants as toys” throughout the books which I think suggests the idea that not only can Greenseers wake giants in the earth, but they might even be bodysnatching them and using them to fight on their behalf PS. Robert has done some amazing work around this, in fact his comment in one of his videos was “stone people is a massively under researched line of symbolism in ASOIAF” inspired me to finally create these KZbin videos I’d love to show Robert this as I know he supports the idea of the statues within the crypts waking but I’m not sure how to get it to him haha Appreciate the support Karl! Your a legend mate 🍻

[@z2ei]

I think one that fits even better for Tolkien's work is that of Durin I, called Durin the Deathless. He's the oldest as well as the first King of the Dwarves, and when he dies he's buried beneath Khazad-Dum (Moria) where he "waits in sleep". He's said to return not just once, but seven times.

[@eldric.stoneskin]

Wow that’s a great example, I’m not very versed in Tolkien tbh so wasnt aware of this one but that does fit perfectly, and we even find the Durran name in ASOIAF as well, great point!

[@Greenseeress710]

Another amazing video Eldric thank you so much ❤❤❤

[@eldric.stoneskin]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@SirBallsDeepOfHouseManthrust]

I think one of the more interesting example was that of Nero. It’s said that a popular belief was that he faked his death and would return. This belief was apparently so popular that two or three random people history calls “pseudo-Nero’s” managed to gather a respectable entourage and attempt to reclaim the title of Emperor. That’s one of the examples in which it would seem (unlike the other ones) people seemed to actually believe in on a big scale.

[@eldric.stoneskin]

That’s fascinating! That reminds me of Berric Dondarrion and the pseudo Berrics they use in the river lands, excellent comment!

[@jarlamtoft2307]

I am danish, living in Helsingør, which is where Kronborg castle is. I have never known that he was called ogier the dane in english. He is called Holger Danske in danish. Meaning Holger the dane.

[@bradwolf07]

I have enjoyed the "King beneath the Mountain" motif since I was a child and didn't understand it (not really). I like how you described it. Can the First Chin Emperor with his Terracotta Army qualify for this motif? I think we discussed it in previous videos. And I know you mentioned only a few examples, and that there are plenty more

[@eldric.stoneskin]

Yeah it’s definitely a version of this trope for sure, and there really are so many out there, I think it taps into the desire for life beyond death as well, it’s very interesting from a psychology stand point that humans have always told stories of this nature

[@laurawilliams7782]

Just a couple of notes about stone - Weirwoods turn to stone, and dragon eggs turn to stone, so we have more methods of things naturally turning into stone. But with the hatching of Dany's eggs we have stone turning back into flesh via fire and blood. Now, this is a unique and rare magical event according to Martin, so I'm not sure that it can be reproduced - there's a lot of 'death to pay for life' needed to wake an army, but I think a less literal interpretation - perhaps to speak to them, or view the past or reveal something hidden could well happen.

[@eldric.stoneskin]

Yes there seems to be a lot of turning to stone in this series, if your interested in more check out my greyscale kings under Winterfell series

[@CommonBovine]

I like to imagine a calamitous event like an asteroid about to hit earth being the thing that awakens all these kings. Hordes of undead warriors banding together to make a space program to push the asteroid off course. Then, returning to their tombs. But instead of wearing armor and wielding swords, they're wearing polos and wielding pens and clip boards.

[@eldric.stoneskin]

Ahhhh yes the classic “engineers asleep in the mountain trope”, made famous by the movie Armageddon 🤣

[@filbertrocko]

What about the 79 sentals ? And the missing swords in Edard 1 . And the supposed graves of the giants in the burrowlands ? Grey scale makes the person go mad .....omg

[@BeteBlanc]

Someone else's recent video brought this back into my ADD theorizing. Your focus is on Winterfell which makes sense. But it gets picked up and redressed in several other places. Most notably in the HotU. Redressed as wizard kings we find them around a table like blue statues. It's redressed again in the language of CotF myth. Led by greenseers who might as easily be understood as wizard kings. The one place that sort of flips the script in Vaes Dothrak. In this case we're presented with a slightly different idea. In this case we're given a group that collects dead statues. Sort of like a reworked valkyrie idea. There's no hint of them being relevant again, but the collection and possibly imprisoning of god/kings. Beyond the Wall we're presented with a king of kings with the character of Mance. We get the same within Dothrak myth. And and of course the Grey King and Ironborn culture does the same. To a lesser degree I might also suggest it exists in the framework and history of the maesters too. Enslaved wizard/kings collected by the Hightower. As well as the whispers. These groups seem to function on a vaguely remembered and reimagined idea of a returning king to unite all kings. They play at a less magical idea within the active culture. Now I do like the idea of the Stark kings being in the Weirwood, but I have to admit GRRM seems to be using it as a foreshadow. It would not surprise me if the spirits that animate the wights are the Stark kings making due with new bodies. Waiting for a Stark of Starks to somehow bring them back. Sort of like the Dothraki have enslaved the god/kings they take, the Others may have done the same. How GRRM seems to have reworked JRRT's idea is adaping the myth as a Hybrid between Dunharrow and the Nine. Their bodies waiting for them to return for revenge, but currently enslaved and awaiting that.

[@eldric.stoneskin]

Yes it seems to be everywhere, and with the kings beneath Winterfell basically being checkovs statues at this point I have to assume that George is using them all to inform us of the kings of winter Another good example of this is the ancient kings with gemstone eyes in Danys vision who interestingly have “swords of pale fire”, as I think these might be the the first kings of winter too, as their ancestral sword ice has been shown to us as lighting up with pale flame as Oathkeeper and Widows Wail in Jamie’s dream as well

[@brianmcfeeley9382]

Another great video my man cant wait for the next 1

[@eldric.stoneskin]

More to come!

[@HotFudgeAndHalibut]

Surely dead Jon Snow stored in the ice cells of the Wall at Castle Black also fulfils this motif

[@eldric.stoneskin]

He sure does, seeing as though he is a soon to be resurrected king who will reawaken and defend the realms of men from the others, interestingly Jon also has dreams of ending up down in the Winterfell crypts just like a stone king of winter, and happens to be around disease which turns people to stone that is foreshadowed to reawaken…

[@conniesuper9892]

You are so thorough and amazing!!!Great catch!!

[@eldric.stoneskin]

Thank you so much!

[@rileygardiner8384]

Great video! - my favourite use the motif is CS Lewis’ the Silver Chair

[@eldric.stoneskin]

Thankyou! I’m not aware of this story but I’m going to look into it right now!

[@hunteratops]

almost missed this one!

[@joseysomemore]

Where I live in so IL, there is a stone face on a near by mountain, its about 10 ft tall and cool has hell. He is our king under the mountain. Im not sure how old it is but its been there for hundreds of yrs.

[@eldric.stoneskin]

I just googled it, is it Old Stoneface in Shawnee National Forrest? Does look very much like a stone face doesn’t it

[@kitkat6959]

New video lets go

[@eldric.stoneskin]

Hope you enjoyed it!

[@umwha]

Ace!

[@eldric.stoneskin]

Thanks!

[@corro202]

Great video.

[@eldric.stoneskin]

Glad you enjoyed it

[@alexsullo9855]

I can’t seem to remember the reference but don’t some of the Iron Born talk of the Grey King feasting in the halls of the Drowned God and that he will one day return to rule over the Iron Islands?

[@eldric.stoneskin]

Yes the Grey King is a very interesting character which I think may have been one of the first stone kings, as we know the grey king was “blessed with stone” and “his skin turned grey” before he went to sit a throne beneath the surface in the watery halls of the drowned god Just like the Starks go beneath the surface to sit a throne, in their watery halls of Winterfell (the walls of Winterfell have water pumped through their walls) I’ve actually got a deep dive on the grey king coming up soon, otherwise I cover a lot of that myth in my greyscale kings series Part 5: Stone Blessed

[@shara1979]

Lol i thought u said- Hello, im Edric Stone-ski. I was like, oh, a Polish GOT fan/commentor?

[@eldric.stoneskin]

🤣

[@samuraicode4264]

A great song with this theme, "Hall of the mountain king" by Savatage, check it out!!

[@eldric.stoneskin]

Just did! Great tune! Love me some power metal

[@ScarlitWidow]

Not sure if I'm a fan of so much reverb. It does kinda make it sound like you're recording in the Winterfell crypts. 😂 Really enjoying your content. Keep it up

[@eldric.stoneskin]

Yeah I turned it up a bit for reading quotes to clarify what was read straight from the books but I might dial it down! Glad you enjoyed it!

[@williamhermann6635]

Bro, the name Dustin (Dustins claim their lineage all the way back to the Barrow King, also said to be buried under the giant hill in Barrowtown) literally translates to "hard as stone" in Latin. Also similar to the Norse word for "Thor's stone". So if your theory about undead stone kings is right (which the Barrow King was likely to be one), the Barrow King was like a giant storm god made of stone whos now buried under a giant hill. Even the word barrow can translate to mountain so the Barrow King couldve been in the northern mountains but got buried in what is now Barrowtown. Weve all been thinking of white walkers, wights, fire wights, and youve added stone kings to the list. But what if the Barrow King gets resurrected??? Theres also "Dustonbury" in The Reach, which I find weird just with the name alone. Manderlys used to live there before fleeing for the north but we dont learn much about the castle. To keep it stone related, I think the Flints are gonna be huge players in the old god/first men/original long night revealing. Just their name alone tells us a lot. First men family named after the type of stone that causes fire. Could be an early dragon rider family or at least fire magic users. Then theres the tale of Brave Danny Flint, which i think is the Night's Queen origin story but with inaccurate details. Theres still multiple branches of the Flints around in the story too ad I think Ned's grandma was a Flint. Sorry for the long post but I thought you might find at least some of this interesting lol

[@eldric.stoneskin]

That’s an amazing find, great comment! It goes even deeper than I thought 😂

[@williamhermann6635]

@@eldric.stoneskin I have plenty of other theories too lol. I dont believe the Grey King was a Stark. I think the Grey King (Drowned God) was Garth Greenhand resurrected and also the Barrow King, who the Starks warred with for 1000 years. The Barrow King curse sounds identicle to the Grey King. I think the Starks were born of Garth Greenhand whereas the Ironborn were from Garth post resurrection. Ironborn represent the opposite of Garth Greenhand. Instead of gardening and reproducing, they reap and kill. So he went from fertility god Garth to Odin-like storm god warchief. Basically Grey King began destroying everything Garth created. How crazy would it be for the Starks (descendents of Garth Greenhand) to end up warring with the dark resurrected version of their own progenator? Anywho the rest of my theory goes like this: Garth Greenhand is same guy as the Great Empire of the Dawn's God Emperor on earth. He went around banging all the earthly women for 10,000 years before either dying or being ritually sacrificed (possibly by COTF). He is then resurrected (because hey this story is all about godlike abilities and resurrection) and becomes the Pearl Emperor/Grey King (Drowned God) /Barrow King where he rules for 1000 years. I think Grey King/Pearl Emperor could also be The Warg King from Sea Dragon Point whos brought down by a Stark too. All different names for the same mythical character. So to sum it up, I believe Garth= God Emperor on Earth, Grey King (Drowned God), Barrow King, Pearl Emperor, and The Warg King and Starks struck him down to become the Kings of Winter. And your idea of the undead stone kings fits nicely into it.

[@alexmoes3225]

I wonder if the popularity of this myth might indicate it is very old and the existing myths are riffs on an original story.

[@eldric.stoneskin]

Could well be!

[@hyugalubbok7770]

I think that is Arthuris not 100% human, like Gilgamesh or the fictional Yujiro Hanma, and his possible Fae/Alien genetics allow to his body to fall into an Palco fish/Frog mucos-coating at winter/Chrysalid-like coma... the slavic-shamanic hostile being the Obour has a similiar ability, while hes use his parasitic subtle-body to cause night hag, poltergeist and might even influence and possesion during 9 and 40 days, to fuel the healing of his jelly-like insides underneeth his bloated and reddish skin of his dormant, corporeal body.

[@mip_5068]

Remember to sacrifice a comment for the algorithm GODS!!!

[@eldric.stoneskin]

They are ever hungry! Appreciate it!

[@Loreweavver]

What, no Jesus? Can't do a video on mythical resurrected Messiah buried underground without Jesus. I should also mention Cthulhu is another example of the sleeping king and Euron Greyjoy is trying to wake him up. Cthulhu is taken from the word cthonic which means buried underground.

[@eldric.stoneskin]

Both very good examples, was trying to keep it more concise and focus on warrior kings who reawaken to defend their people but your right

[@Loreweavver]

@@eldric.stoneskin Your list is more true to the trope. Though I do recall a number of stories where tribal leaders would fake a resurrection of oneself or others by being buried alive or in a cave and emerging a few days later being a fad according to some historians.

[@DEXODUS]

brother i love you so much but you keep doing the same cadence pattern over and voer again and it makes these so difficult to lsiten to please vary your cadence!!!

[@eldric.stoneskin]

Fair call, I’ll aim for a more natural read

[@cat_in_a_sock1948]

uts strange that this whole facet of storytelling has been co opted by fascists in the "great glorious age before this time" and the palingenetic ultranationalism they use it to fuel , i was considering a tattooo to mark arthur and his legend to go along with my multiple neutral plant tattoos but now reconsider it because it can clearly be taken as fascist rhetoric which is a shame.

[@eldric.stoneskin]

Yeah I did find in research that it can be used in a negative fashion as you’ve said as well, quite sad really

[@cat_in_a_sock1948]

@@eldric.stoneskin aye, it's an almost universal (Germanic and European) tradition of storytelling which might date back as far as the old hag of winter and the wild hunt but this especially seems to be used as a rallying cry for the worst bits of us.

[@eldric.stoneskin]

@@cat_in_a_sock1948 I’ve never heard of the Old hag of winter, that sounds like it might play into some other research I’m doing atm, I might have to look this one up

[@cat_in_a_sock1948]

@@eldric.stoneskin there are many stories concerning the calllieach, but she dates back thousands of years, the old night, the great goddess of the cold. kzbin.info/www/bejne/oKCuioqwr8-oqNEsi=i8lqpD_7f13hOblL

[@cat_in_a_sock1948]

She governs the unseelie she matches the triple goddess of the fates in greek mythology as a triple goddess, her hammer is something I was told of as a child that her staff taps the ground and it creates frost. Her birds are magpies.