Did ‘House of the Dragon’ Just Reveal Azor Ahai’s Identity?

One of the primary critiques when Game of Thrones concluded was its failure to resolve many of its biggest mysteries, leaving fans yearning for more answers. Many anticipated that the enigmatic prophecies, such as the return of Azor Ahai, would be addressed, but the finale fell short of providing definitive answers. Now, some fans believe that the House of the Dragon Season 2 finale has potentially solved this enduring mystery, though opinions are divided.

Fair warning: spoilers for House of the Dragon ahead! The Season 2 finale features Daemon Targaryen (played by Matt Smith) experiencing a haunting vision in Harrenhal. The vision includes pivotal glimpses of the future: the comet over Westeros from the beginning of George R.R. Martin’s books, three dragon eggs in a fire, and Daenerys Targaryen rising with her newly-hatched dragons.

Many fans interpreted this vision as confirming that Daenerys – portrayed by Emilia Clarke in Game of Thrones – was Azor Ahai or the prophesied “Prince That Was Promised.” Following leaks of the episode earlier in the week, several fans perceived the scene as an attempt to retcon or redeem the original series. Critics noted that Daemon did not see other potential Azor Ahai candidates, such as Jon Snow (Kit Harington) or Jaime Lannister (Nikolaj Coster-Waldau).

However, there are complications with this interpretation. Daemon’s vision was not a complete depiction of the future; it was fragmented and impressionistic. It did not show how humanity would face the Long Night, only that they “must.” Moreover, the vision appeared tailored specifically for Daemon by Alys Rivers (Gayle Rankin) and possibly other Weirwood spirits. Some fans speculate that Greenseers, like Bran Stark, can influence events across time, noting that Daemon saw Bloodraven, a future Greenseer, in his vision.

Furthermore, singling out one individual as Azor Ahai may be an oversimplification. While HBO’s Game of Thrones glossed over this prophecy, George R.R. Martin’s books depict Azor Ahai as a mythical figure known by various names across different cultures. Many fans believe no single character will represent Azor Ahai; instead, multiple characters may embody aspects of the legendary hero. Daenerys, for example, fulfilled parts of the prophecy, such as sacrificing Khal Drogo to hatch her dragons, analogous to Azor Ahai’s magic sword. Similarly, Jon Snow, Jaime Lannister, Brienne of Tarth, and others have demonstrated qualities of the mythic hero, reflecting Martin’s intricate storytelling.

Regarding the “Prince That Was Promised” prophecy, opinions vary. Some fans think it’s synonymous with Azor Ahai, while others view them as separate entities. If they are the same, Dany and Jon may each have a prophecy to fulfill, or the roles could be shared among several characters. In Martin’s books, prophecies often mention that “the dragon must have three heads,” suggesting a collaborative effort is needed to confront the Long Night.

George R.R. Martin’s works are rich with prophecies and symbolism, providing ample material for fan theories and analyses. One of the strengths of House of the Dragon lies in its faithful adherence to these intricate prophecies. For deeper discussions, fans frequently turn to platforms like Reddit and other forums. Additionally, Martin’s books are available in print, digital, and audiobook formats. House of the Dragon Season 3 is currently in pre-production, and the series is available for streaming on Max.

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