What is dead may never die?

"What is dead may never die, but rises again, harder and stronger" is a phrase from the A Song of Ice and Fire series of fantasy novels by George R.R. Martin, and its adaptation Game of Thrones.

The phrase is most commonly associated with the Ironborn, specifically the followers of the Drowned God. It represents their belief in resilience, rebirth through drowning, and a ruthless, unyielding spirit. To fully understand the phrase you should look for concepts such as:

• The Ironborn: This seafaring people of the Iron Islands are central to the phrase's meaning and embody its principles.
• The Drowned God: The deity worshipped by the Ironborn, whose rituals and beliefs are intimately connected to the saying.
• Resilience: The ability to recover quickly from difficulties, a core theme represented by the phrase.
• Rebirth: The idea of coming back stronger after facing death or defeat, central to the Ironborn's ethos.

The saying encapsulates the Ironborn's cultural identity, emphasizing their toughness, religious devotion, and the cyclical nature of death and renewal. It serves as a motto and a declaration of their unwavering spirit in the face of adversity.