Post by voice on Aug 2, 2015 20:00:32 GMT
Changeling Woman!
In short, Changing Woman is, from Myth Encyclopedia (link):
Changing Woman, or Asdzáá nádleehé, is the most respected goddess of the Navajo people. All Navajo ceremonies must include at least one song dedicated to Changing Woman. She is related to goddesses found in many other Native American traditions, such as the Pawnee Moon Woman and the Apache White Painted Woman.
According to legend, Changing Woman changes continuously but never dies. She grows into an old woman in winter, but by spring, she becomes a young woman again. In this way, she represents the power of life, fertility, and changing seasons. In some stories she has a sister, White Shell Woman (Yoolgai asdzáá), who symbolizes the rain clouds. Ceremonies dedicated to Changing Woman are performed to celebrate childbirth, coming of age for girls, and weddings and to bless a new home.
Changing Woman bears the children of the Sun, Jóhonaa'éí, after he shines his rays on her. Their children are the twin heroes Monster Slayer (Naayéé' neizghání) and Child of Water (To bájísh chíní), who cleared the earth of the monsters that once roamed it. Changing Woman lives by herself in a house floating on the western waters, where the Sun visits her every evening. One day she became lonely and decided to make some companions for herself. From pieces of her own skin she created men and women who became the ancestors of the Navajo people.
According to legend, Changing Woman changes continuously but never dies. She grows into an old woman in winter, but by spring, she becomes a young woman again. In this way, she represents the power of life, fertility, and changing seasons. In some stories she has a sister, White Shell Woman (Yoolgai asdzáá), who symbolizes the rain clouds. Ceremonies dedicated to Changing Woman are performed to celebrate childbirth, coming of age for girls, and weddings and to bless a new home.
Changing Woman bears the children of the Sun, Jóhonaa'éí, after he shines his rays on her. Their children are the twin heroes Monster Slayer (Naayéé' neizghání) and Child of Water (To bájísh chíní), who cleared the earth of the monsters that once roamed it. Changing Woman lives by herself in a house floating on the western waters, where the Sun visits her every evening. One day she became lonely and decided to make some companions for herself. From pieces of her own skin she created men and women who became the ancestors of the Navajo people.
A more detailed treatment may be seen here.
We are introduced to Daenerys just as she is embarking into womanhood. She has recently had her blood, and "has a woman's shape now." A woman's shape is like the Moon, ever changing. A girl grows into a woman. A woman grows heavy with child (like a full round moon), then shrinks after bringing life into the world. After some time she may grow heavy with child once again, and thus, a woman is always changing. In American Indian belief systems in the southwest, it is common to view a young lady as entering her life as a "Changing Woman" upon her first 'moon time'. In the ASOIAF series, this is called 'flowering'.
I'll add more to this little OP when I have more time, but for now, I would draw your attention to this passage:
A Game of Thrones - Daenerys X
"You will be my khalasar," she told them. "I see the faces of slaves. I free you. Take off your collars. Go if you wish, no one shall harm you. If you stay, it will be as brothers and sisters, husbands and wives." The black eyes watched her, wary, expressionless. "I see the children, women, the wrinkled faces of the aged. I was a child yesterday. Today I am a woman. Tomorrow I will be old. To each of you I say, give me your hands and your hearts, and there will always be a place for you." She turned to the three young warriors of her khas. "Jhogo, to you I give the silver-handled whip that was my bride gift, and name you ko, and ask your oath, that you will live and die as blood of my blood, riding at my side to keep me safe from harm."
This makes the parallel explicit, in my mind at least.