Game of Thrones: Here's the Significance of That Quote Between Yara and Theon

Warning: Spoilers for Game of Thrones below!

A Great War may be coming on Game of Thrones, but the writers on the eighth season premiere made sure to remind us of all the ground the show has covered over the years — particularly with regard to Theon Greyjoy. Near the end of the episode, Theon finally rescues his sister Yara from Euron Greyjoy's ship. The reunion is somewhat bittersweet, as Theon had effectively abandoned her last season despite her loyalty to him throughout his ordeal with Ramsay Bolton in seasons prior. But after a headbutt for retribution, Yara forgives her younger brother stating, "What is dead may never die."

In this particular instance, Yara uses this phrase to refer to their bond as one that has grown stronger despite the hardships both siblings have faced. However, the phrase carries a larger significance on the Iron Islands and the show as a whole.

This phrase first appeared as the title of the third episode of the second season. In the episode, Theon's father, Balon Greyjoy, prepares to wage war on the North. Theon suggests they'd be better off creating an alliance with the Starks, but Balon views the move as foolhardy. Yara insists such weakness is a sign Theon must choose where his loyalty lies — with the Starks or the Greyjoys. Theon considers warning the Starks, but ultimately decides to serve his father and undergoes a ritual baptism in the name of the Iron Islands' deity, the Drowned God. Part of the prayer from the baptismal ritual states, "What is dead may never die, but rises again harder and stronger."

The ritual itself reinforces the idea that once you've experienced death, or in this case drowning, nothing is to be feared. Essentially, the speaker of this phrase is saying he or she has nothing left to lose. As German philosopher Friedrich Nietzsche says: "That which does not kill us, makes us stronger." (Just ask Kelly Clarkson or Kanye West.)