The meaning behind Game of Thrones and House of the Dragon’s most iconic families.
George R.R. Martin did not hide his intention for Game of Thrones to exist as the antithesis of the novel The Lord of the Rings when building a world also rich in fantasy, magic and dragons, but quickly let it all be revealed. Ugly plots to gain power and good people never end well. But the author still maintains the same principle – the double-edged sword of power. And no symbol can honor this spirit of Martin more than the image of the Targaryen family that House of the Dragon is trying to portray.
Die-hard fans of Game of Thrones are probably familiar with the history of this family by now. Dragon riders, conquerors, talented warriors, thinkers, tyrants…this family is great and crazy, beautiful and ugly, but captivating because of the power they possess. property. The Targaryen family symbol retains an authority that the Lannister lions cannot match. It is a self-destructive nature.
Targaryen dragons
Stark can be the name that makes us feel full of honor, the magnanimity of Tolkien-like heroism, Martell is the name that makes viewers feel the unique style of freedom and equality, Tully – the strength of the younger sons, the Lannister – ambitious and master politicians, but the Targaryen name has something ancient, honorable and sacred. This is because among the great families in Game of Thrones, they are the only ones whose origins are as magical, mysterious and great as their symbolic animals – fire-breathing dragons. .
The Targaryens are not a native clan of Westeros. They come from ancient Valyria in the land of Essos – where the Narrow Sea, or Narrow Sea, separates it from Westeros. A prophetic dream caused the Targaryen ancestors to leave Valyria. Thanks to that, they escaped the disaster of destruction of the ancient land. Landing on Dragonstone, the Targaryens brought five dragons to Westeros, who were the last dragons when Valyria fell and were the origin of future dragons in Westeros. Among these was the great Balerion, dragon of Aegon the Conqueror.
Dragons speak volumes about the nature of the Targaryen family. In mythology, dragons are mysterious creatures, bigger than what humans can imagine. We admire them but also fear them, or worship them at the same time. In other words, they fascinate us with the power they possess and terrify us with what that power can do. Dragons are greedy creatures, and they are also creatures that are almost impossible to tame or control.
And like these creatures, members of the Targaryen family are also endowed with a seemingly surreal appearance, white hair, purple eyes, nobility and nobility. This family also left their ancestral land based solely on a prophetic dream. The family also predicted that the dark winter would end the human era. Members can withstand fire, and more are connected to flying dragons. This shows that they also possess supernatural abilities, and from the beginning they stand apart from normal humans.
Aegon’s appearance in the skies over Westeros during the crusade is implied to be the bloodier appearance of a descending god with unparalleled power. And the appearance of the Targaryen family is like a sign that magic and mystical things have come to Westeros. In one view, dragons represent their divine origins and the reign of supremacy they deserve. When Targaryen was overthrown, magic disappeared in the seven kingdoms, until Daenerys awakened her three dragons.
Fire and Blood
To be a dragon, one must breathe fire, so the family proverb “Fire and Blood” was born. It’s interesting to think of the parallel the quote makes about the personalities of the Targaryens. Fire and blood reflect the terrifying faces of the Targaryen family. But it also reflects “softer” aspects. Fire can destroy, it is also the source of life. The blood here can be both their own and the blood of their enemies. Incest serves as a way for the Targaryens to keep their bloodline pure, but also shows that the Targaryens only trust themselves. Ironically, the threats to the Targaryen kingship are themselves members of the house. In other words, blood and blood destroy each other.
Fire and Blood, which flow when a Targaryen steps on the dragon’s back. The red color of blood and fire also symbolizes the strong-willed nature of the Targaryens, and also their stubbornness and uncompromise. Daenerys has never compromised in her journey to regain the throne. Either Yunkai frees the slaves in the citadel, otherwise the Dragon Mother will not spare any mercy for the slave owners in the Golden City.
The history of Westeros also highlights the determination, even stubbornness, of the Targaryens. Baelor the Blessed, when he ascended the throne, spared the lives of prisoners from the time of his brother’s rule, became devoutly devout, and even became a Priest, a position where he could not marry or have children, despite the prohibitions of the priests. courtiers. This brother in question – Daeron I Targaryen, led his army to subdue Dorne, even though there were no dragons and Targaryen was greater than the young king who failed there. Prince Aemon insisted on keeping his position at the City Watch because he thought his younger brother was more suitable to be king.
Among the colors of flags in the world of Game of Thrones, none are as scary as red and black. And although the Boltons also use this color, the red and black of the Targaryen family carries the most menace and power.
Red is used to color the dragon on the Targaryen standard. If the dragon here does not indicate threatening power, then this color will do. Besides blood, this is also the color of ambition, passion and intense emotions. Here, dyed red by the dragon, the red of House Targaryen appears as a warning. The Targaryens are ready to let their heads bleed if anyone dares to oppose them. This is the cruel nature of this family, as Aegon I had Balerion burn Harrenhal to the ground, thereby destroying House Harren when King Harren refused to surrender to Aegon.
Black, not as dark as the Boltons, the Targaryen black is more mysterious. It is related to the similar background of the dragon family – coming from a strange place with mysterious abilities. But this is also a color often associated with death and darkness, evil things. Besides bloodshed, the Targaryens were willing to punish and destroy their enemies. This is the Targaryen’s ugliest face, in contrast to their beautiful and noble appearance.
Madness
“Fire and Blood” is the official family motto of House Targaryen. But there is a more symbolic saying passed down in Westeros: “When a Targaryen is born, the gods toss a coin…”. The quote refers to an aspect of a Targaryen that cannot be ignored, their madness. As mentioned above, the dragon family’s crest shows parallelism that is not “light”. Dragons symbolize strength, but they also symbolize the Targaryens’ lack of control.
The houses of Westeros believe that as a product of incest, the Targaryens are cursed with madness. And just like their comments, the dragon family had individuals known for their madness in one way or another. Baelor I was too pious and obsessed with purity. Initially, this personality helped Baelor establish peace between the Targaryen empire and a newly conquered Dorn, but over time, Baelor weakened the kingdom. Prince Rhaegel, Maekar’s brother, son of King Daeron II, often danced naked in the Red Keep for no reason at all. Aerion Brightflame, son of Maekar, killed himself with incendiary, believing it would turn him into a dragon. And the most famous one is Aerys II, the Mad King, the last king of the Targaryen dynasty, dead at the beginning of Game of Thrones, wanting to burn down the whole kingdom, killing brutally and often paranoid.
There is a meaning behind the Targaryen madness and is signaled by the fire coming from their dragon. Fire is indeed a very good weapon, but if left unchecked, it will spread and kill all enemies, friends, and even the dragon riders themselves (their ability to withstand heat is limited). Daenerys’s dragons also do not come under their mother’s control easily. This is the naked truth about the power that the Targaryen family possesses.
There is one battle that even dragonfire cannot end, and that is political rivalry. The Iron Throne is not an easy seat to sit in, and the battles to keep it have left the Targaryens immersed in a spiral of power. From the beginning of House of the Dragon, Rhaenyra asserted that the dragon family had no opponents and that the only thing that could kill this family was itself. This is not wrong. The flames of power and incest eventually consumed this family.
Targaryen madness represents the opposite of the greatness of the dragonriders. Aegon I conquered seven kingdoms and the last king destroyed the dynasty’s legacy. Daenerys came very close to the Iron Throne but was killed by another Targaryen. This last member also gave up his inheritance rights. Thus, the Tagaryen circle of power was complete, starting with a Targaryen and ending with a similar member.
Ultimately, Targaryen represents ultimate power, but is also an example of where power destroys those who wield it. Without proper control, power is extremely toxic. But the dragon family is also a symbol of greatness and proves that greatness is not inherited, it is something that must be bled for.
