weirwood

A weirwood is a fictional type of tree found in the world of George R. R. Martin's A Song of Ice and Fire series and its television adaptation, Game of Thrones. These trees are distinctive for their pale, white bark and blood-red leaves. They are ancient and deeply significant to the First Men and the children of the forest, who are believed to have planted them. Weirwoods are often found in sacred groves and are considered holy sites.

A notable characteristic of weirwoods is their "faces." Over time, the wood of the weirwood seems to form visages, often resembling human or ancient faces, particularly on the trunks. These faces are said to weep blood, a phenomenon that is attributed to sap seeping from the tree. Many believe these faces are sentient and can observe events around them.

Weirwood trees are central to the magic and spirituality of Westeros. They are often associated with the Old Gods, the deities worshipped by the First Men. Individuals, particularly those loyal to the Old Gods like the Starks, often pray to the weirwood trees. The trees are also believed to have a connection to greenseers, individuals with the ability to see through the eyes of weirwood trees and glimpse past, present, and future events. The heartwood of a weirwood is extremely hard and is often used to carve the faces of gods, which are then placed on the trees.