Poetic Forms in High Valyrian
Master the art of High Valyrian poetry with traditional forms, meter, and rhyme schemes.
In this lesson, you'll explore the rich tradition of High Valyrian poetry, which was highly valued in the ancient Valyrian Freehold. You'll learn about:
- Traditional poetic forms and their cultural significance
- Metrical patterns and rhythmic structures
- Rhyme schemes and sound patterns
- Poetic devices unique to High Valyrian
- How to compose your own High Valyrian poetry
By the end of this lesson, you'll be able to recognize, analyze, and compose poetry in the High Valyrian tradition.
Traditional Poetic Forms
High Valyrian poetry developed several distinct forms over the centuries of the Valyrian Freehold. Each form has its own rules, structure, and cultural significance.
The Vālenka is a complex, highly structured form of poetry traditionally composed for important occasions and to honor dragonlords. Its name refers to the "flame" of inspiration and the dragons' fire.
Structure:
- 14 lines divided into three quatrains and a final couplet
- Strict meter of seven syllables per line
- Complex rhyme scheme: ABBA CDDC EFFE GG
- Final couplet must contain a profound statement or revelation
Zaldrīzoti Āeksiot
Sōvegon jelmiot ñuha
Perzys ñuhys iksia
Aōt māzigon jorrāelot
(To the Dragon Lord
Flying through my sky
My fire I am
To you comes love)
The Qringaomāzma is a cyclical poem where the last line of each stanza becomes the first line of the next, and the final line of the poem is the same as the first line, creating a complete circle.
Structure:
- Four tercets (three-line stanzas)
- The last line of each tercet becomes the first line of the next
- The last line of the poem is identical to the first line
- No strict meter, but typically 8-10 syllables per line
- No required rhyme scheme, though internal rhymes are common
The Tembyr is a musical form of poetry, designed to be sung with harp or flute accompaniment. It was popular in celebrations and festivals throughout the Freehold.
Structure:
- Variable number of quatrains
- Refrain after every quatrain
- Alternating line lengths: long-short-long-short
- Rhyme scheme: ABAB with the refrain having its own rhyme
- Poetic Forms
- Formal Speech
- Metaphors & Idioms
Practice Your Poetry
Ready to try composing your own High Valyrian poetry? Use our interactive poetry composition tool to create your own verses following traditional forms.
