WARNING! SPOILERS ahead for House of the Dragon season 1 AND Fire & Blood!House of the Dragon season 1 has leaned into the concept of the Targaryens’ prophetic dragon dreams, many of which have actually come true. The concept of dragon dreams was previously explored in Game of Thrones with Daenerys Targaryen’s visions in the House of the Undying: One saw an unrealized world in which she could be with her dead husband and son, and one saw her walking toward the ash/snow-covered Iron Throne. House of the Dragon has gone much further into the significance of these dreams, and particularly the profound effect they have had on Westerosi history.
The biggest surprise twist in House of the Dragon season 1 so far was the reveal of Aegon the Conqueror’s Song of Ice and Fire dream, which foresaw the return of the White Walkers and the need for a Targaryen to sit on the Iron Throne to defeat them. King Viserys Targaryen then explained that he had a vision of his own when Rhaenyra was a child, in which his son sits on the Iron Throne wearing Aegon the Conqueror’s crown. House of the Dragon reveals that certain Targaryens have been known for their prophetic dreams, but that it is a rare gift more powerful than the possession of dragons.
Considering Game of Thrones suggested prophetic dreams were heavily associated with greenseers, the Children of the Forest, and the Old Gods, the Targaryens’ power of magical visions is more curious. The most plausible reason for House Targaryen’s prophetic dreams would be the magic of Old Valyria. The family’s ancestral home was notable for practicing strong magic, which was theorized to be what caused the Doom of Valyria. House Targaryen also may have developed the power of prophecy through blood magic, perhaps trying to increase their strength in Valyria amidst far more influential dragonlords. Although House of the Dragon doesn’t confirm the source of their visions, it may also simply be explained by a unique inherited trait within their bloodline, as the other families of Old Valyria aren’t thought to have shared this gift. Similar to how Game of Thrones’ Stark children all had the power of warging, the Targaryens may have the rare genetic power of dragon dreams.
How Often Do Targaryen Dreams Come True?
Including House of the Dragon’s new revelations, there are at least five Targaryens confirmed as dreamers. The first recorded prophecy to come true was from Daenys the Dreamer, the young Targaryen who foresaw the Doom of Valyria only a few years before it occurred. Daenys had told her prophecy to her father, who heeded the warning and moved the Targaryens to Dragonstone. The next is Aegon’s White Walker prophecy, which Game of Thrones’ ending revealed to have also come true. It would be the Targaryen descendants Jon Snow and Daenerys who would band Westeros together to defeat the Night King, but there technically wasn’t a Targaryen sitting on the Iron Throne when the great winter came. Daeron the Drunken also correctly foresaw the death of Baelor Targaryen as he died in the arms of Ser Duncan the Tall.
Another Targaryen dream that came true was from Daenerys in Game of Thrones. In the House of the Undying, Daenerys saw herself walking up to the Iron Throne, with the throne room’s roof missing while what seemed to be snow was falling all around. This was thought to symbolize Daenerys sitting on the Iron Throne once winter and the White Walkers came (which is true), but Game of Thrones season 8 revealed the white substance to actually be ash from her dragon burning King’s Landing. Although House of the Dragon’s King Viserys is questioning his vision since he named Rhaenyra heir, his dream will also come true. The Dance of the Dragons begins when Viserys’ son Aegon II Targaryen sits on the Iron Throne with the crown of Aegon the Conqueror, but Viserys will not live to see this dangerous prophecy fulfilled. So far, therefore, every major dragon dream from a Targaryen has come true.
New episodes of House of the Dragon release Sundays on HBO/HBO Max.
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