The prophecy that ties both series together
When House of the Dragon premiered, it quickly captivated fans of the Game of Thrones universe with its political intrigue, dragon-fueled battles, and intricate character dynamics. However, one of the most significant moments came in the very first episode when King Viserys (Paddy Considine) reveals a long-kept secret to his daughter, Rhaenyra (Emma D’Arcy). He discloses that Aegon the Conqueror had a prophetic dream of an apocalyptic future—one where the dead would rise, and a Targaryen would be required to unite the Seven Kingdoms to defeat this existential threat. This revelation sent shockwaves through the Game of Thrones fandom as it retroactively tied the prequel series to one of the most critical events in the original series: the threat of the White Walkers.
What makes this moment particularly striking is that this prophecy wasn’t entirely new. In fact, the groundwork for Aegon’s dream and the idea of a Targaryen savior had already been laid in Game of Thrones years ago, albeit subtly. From Rhaegar Targaryen’s obsession with prophecies to the recurring theme of the “prince that was promised,” these hints now take on new significance in light of the reveal in House of the Dragon.
Aegon’s Dream: The Song of Ice and Fire
Aegon’s prophetic vision, which Viserys refers to as “The Song of Ice and Fire,” was one of the most shocking additions to House of the Dragon. Though this concept was not explicitly mentioned in George R.R. Martin’s Fire & Blood novel, Martin himself later confirmed that this prophecy is part of the broader lore. According to showrunner Ryan Condal, the idea that Aegon the Conqueror had a dream of the White Walkers was a direct contribution from Martin, blending the events of both series and reinforcing the interconnectedness of the two timelines.
In House of the Dragon, Viserys tells Rhaenyra that Aegon’s vision foresaw the rising of the Others (White Walkers) from beyond the Wall and that the only way to prevent the devastation of Westeros was to ensure a Targaryen sat on the Iron Throne. For generations, the secret of Aegon’s dream was passed down from ruler to heir, a tradition that put an added burden on the Targaryen dynasty.
Rhaegar Targaryen’s Obsession with the Prophecy
Fans of Game of Thrones will recall that prophecy was central to Rhaegar Targaryen’s life. The elder brother of Daenerys Targaryen and father of Jon Snow (Aegon Targaryen), Rhaegar believed deeply in the legend of the “prince that was promised.” He was convinced that his actions were directly tied to the fate of the realm, particularly the prophecy of Azor Ahai, a legendary hero destined to lead the fight against the White Walkers.
Hints of Rhaegar’s belief in this prophecy were scattered throughout Game of Thrones, with characters like Maester Aemon and Barristan Selmy reflecting on Rhaegar’s sudden shift from scholar to warrior. In A Storm of Swords, Aemon recalls that Rhaegar had once believed himself to be Azor Ahai, only to later conclude that his son—either Aegon or Jon Snow—was the true chosen one. This belief led Rhaegar to make pivotal decisions, including his marriage to Lyanna Stark, which ultimately set the stage for Jon Snow’s birth and the political upheaval that followed.
The Three-Headed Dragon and the Role of Jon Snow
Another recurring symbol tied to the prophecy is the idea of the “three-headed dragon.” In Game of Thrones, Rhaegar is shown to believe that there must be three dragon riders to defeat the coming threat from the North. This idea ties back to Aegon the Conqueror, who initially conquered Westeros with his two sister-wives, Rhaenys and Visenya. Rhaegar, like Aegon, sought to recreate this trio with his own children, believing that the three-headed dragon was the key to defeating the White Walkers.
This prophecy gains new weight in light of Jon Snow’s lineage, revealed in Game of Thrones as the son of Rhaegar and Lyanna Stark. With Jon being a Targaryen, the series seemed poised to complete the three-headed dragon prophecy, with Daenerys, Jon, and potentially another character taking the mantle of dragon riders. However, Game of Thrones subverted this expectation when Viserion, one of Daenerys’s dragons, was killed and resurrected by the Night King, seemingly undermining the prophecy.
Still, House of the Dragon’s reveal about Aegon’s dream opens the door to revisiting this concept in the future. With Daenerys’s death at the end of Game of Thrones, Jon Snow’s future remains uncertain, but his role in the prophecy may not be over.
The White Walkers and the Dance of Dragons
One of the most intriguing aspects of Aegon’s prophecy is its connection to the Targaryen civil war, known as the Dance of the Dragons, which will take center stage in future seasons of House of the Dragon. As viewers know, Viserys passes the secret of Aegon’s dream to his daughter Rhaenyra, believing she will one day fulfill the prophecy. However, as tensions rise between Rhaenyra and her half-brother Aegon II, the fate of the prophecy becomes uncertain.
Given the scope of the Targaryen conflict, it is likely that the knowledge of Aegon’s dream will be lost during the chaos of the Dance of the Dragons. Yet, House of the Dragon suggests that this crucial information might resurface centuries later, just in time for Daenerys to take the throne and unknowingly fulfill part of her ancestor’s vision.
A Prophecy That Spans Generations
The revelation of Aegon’s dream in House of the Dragon not only adds depth to the prequel series but also reshapes how fans perceive the events of Game of Thrones. What once seemed like separate stories now feel intertwined by the shared prophecy of an ancient threat and the Targaryen’s pivotal role in saving Westeros.
As the Targaryen family’s secret continues to unfold, viewers will no doubt look forward to seeing how House of the Dragon explores this prophecy further and whether any surviving Targaryens will be able to fulfill the vision that Aegon the Conqueror once had.
Both House of the Dragon and Game of Thrones are available to stream on MAX, offering fans the chance to revisit the saga with fresh eyes, now armed with new revelations.