The Dragons of Ice and Fire…and Water and Stone

 

Dragons are arguably the most intriguing aspect of A Song of Ice and Fire. They are still very much a big mystery to us and to the many characters in the story. In reality, we’ve really only heard minor tales about the history of dragons while watching Drogon, Rhaegal and Viserion grow up. Even though we’ve become comfortable with the notion of fire dragons there are many legends about different breeds of dragons that once roamed the earth. There are Legends of Ice dragons in the North, Water Dragons patrolling the seas and even Stone Dragons in the Storm Lands. Most of these legends are extremely vague, but considering fire dragons really do exist, it would seem almost poetic for there to be a dragon species of each element. Plus, it’s more fun that way! Lets explore the history and lore of the different dragons in the World of Ice and Fire.

Ice Dragons

The legend of the Ice Dragon is rather prominent in the culture of northern Westeros. What with it’s symbolic nature and relation to winter, ice and all things cold. The legend has significantly imprinted on the Stark children, as Bran and Jon often refer to the tales that Old Nan once told them, “The wind was gusting, cold as the breath of the ice dragon in the tales Old Nan had told when Jon was a boy.” In the North, there is a constellation of stars known as the Ice Dragon. This constellation is extremely important to navigation of the North but most especially navigation Beyond the Wall, “By day he took directions from the sun, and on clear nights they could follow the Ice Dragon”. Is the Ice Dragon merely a cultural symbol for the Northerners? I don’t think so. After all, G.R.R.M has stated in the past that Old Nan has a solid memory and her tales are more credible than most. That being said, what exactly was the tale she once told to the five Stark children?

Old Nan’s story is most likely something very similar, if not exactly, Martin’s children’s story called The Ice Dragon that was published in the 80’s. The tale seems to be set in Westeros during the Long Night and follows the adventure of a little girl named Adara. Somehow Adara is resilient to the cold and actually enjoys it. She wanders off in the snow and encounters the Ice Dragon, befriends it, and even rides it! The story describes the dragon as so:

“The ice dragon was a crystalline white, that shade of white that is so hard and cold that it is almost blue…Its eyes were clear and deep and icy…Its teeth were icicles, a triple row of them, jagged spears of unequal length, white against its deep blue maw.”

The Dragon is also described as at least twice the size of Valyrian Dragons (Fire Dragons) and all other dragon species, its wings cover the land with snow and its freezing breath brings a chill to everything around it. Eventually, the Dragons of Varyria come to Adara’s village and the Ice Dragon protects Adara and her people, seemingly defeating the fire dragons with ease. After the battle in the sky, the Ice Dragon flies North, never to be seen again. As always, with Martin’s writing it is easy to confuse symbolism with reality. So, it’s very possible that this whole story could simply personify the end of the Long Night. But, as I said before, it’s much more fun to believe in dragons. So what could have happened to the Ice Dragon? Where did it go and will it ever come back?

 

Throughout the series various characters mention the legend of Ice Dragons and the general belief is that ice dragons roam around The Shivering Sea and the White Waste in The Land of Always Winter – it is important to note that this is also where the White Walkers took refuge for thousands of years. Now, my question is, do the Dragons live in the Land of Always Winter due to the climate? Or, is the climate of the Land of Always Winter due to the existence of ice dragons? Hmm…

Other legends that connect directly to the current series are those of the Horn of Joramun and its connection to The Wall. The Horn of Joramun is a mythical Horn that is said to bring down the entire wall if someone sounds it – remember, The Wall was built with magic, so surely it can be brought down with magic as well. The horn was hidden in the mountains far north and was rumored to be buried where the ancient giants once lived. Mance Rayder claims to have found it and threatens to use it if a deal is not struck between the Free Folk and the Nights Watch, “Tormund Giantsbane will sound the Horn of Winter in three days hence.” Many people believe that the horn will actually waken the Ice Dragon that sleeps within the wall. This theory is wonderfully exciting as it would explain just how The Wall remains so cold and how it was made in the first place. I believe we have some forshadowing for this theory in the story already, with Jon’s numerous comparisons of The Wall and the Ice Dragon whenever he walks through the tunnel: “The ice pressed close around them, and he could feel the cold seeping into his bones, the weight of the Wall above his head. It felt like walking down the gullet of an ice dragon.”

There are several other theory’s surrounding the legend of the ice dragons. Some believe that Jon will be resurrected as a White Walker, or something similar to Adara, where he no longer feels the cold, and ride the Ice Dragon into Battle against Dany’s Fire Dragons – sorry to all Dany/Jon shippers, I really don’t think they will ever work together. It’s more probable that one of these characters will turn into the antagonist. Others believe there is a dragon egg hidden under Winterfell and this is why the crypts of the castle seem enchanted with a sort of spell. This is a fabulous theory that I would love to dive into at a later date, so keep posted!

What do you think about the ice dragons? Do you believe? Let me know!

 

Water Dragons

Despite the fact that the Iron Islands are such a small cluster of isles, most of which are inhabitable, the Iron Born have a diverse culture that completely differs from the rest of Westeros. Their religion of the Drowned God, their customs and most interestingly, their history and lore. One of the most intriguing tales is that of Nagga the first sea Dragon. It would seem that the Iron Born were not very keen on documenting their history as the legend of The Grey King and Nagga is really the only “evidence” we have of the existence of water dragons. But as I’ve said before, its much more exciting to believe that there may still be dragons roaming the seas. After all, in the time of ASoIaF it’s rather impossible for them to explore the oceans as we do now. So, who is to say they don’t exist?

The Grey King was the first King in the Iron Islands and was said to be in leagues with the Drowned God himself. The god helped him win many battles and gave the Grey King unnatural long life. After a thousand years, the king’s skin turned grey -hence his name – and he retired to the sea to join the Drowned God as his right hand. He is now considered the connection between the gods and the people. But before all of that, the Grey King completed his most daunting task, to defeat the great sea dragon, Nagga.

As I mentioned earlier, there really isn’t much information about Nagga himself. Only that he was the first of the great sea dragons. In my eyes, I see Nagga as a sort of “Mufasa” type. He was the king of all creatures in the sea. Though there is no mention of other sea dragons in the story, surely, to be a king of the sea dragons, there must be others. Right? Nagga was massive. He was said to be so huge that he would hunt krakens and other giant sea creatures. The legend also states that he was able to sink entire islands if provoked into anger. Unlike the other dragons discussed in this article, sea dragons probably don’t fly and most likely do not breathe any kind of element. Think of them as a sort of Leviathan. The series doesn’t describe how Nagga looks, beside massive, and the battle between Nagga and the Grey King is also not very detailed. Understandably so, Sea dragons are the least researched species, mostly due to where they dwell – deep in the open ocean.

The only evidence of Nagga’s existence are the massive bones that sit on Nagga’s Hill and in the Grey King’s Hall. This is where the Iron Born hold their Kingsmoot and elect a new King. Some believe that this is only an illusion, and that the bones are in fact, weirdwoods carved into the shape of bones. But many truly believe that this was the spot where the Grey King defeated Nagga and mounted his corpse on the hill.

Now, we know that Martin likes to intertwine many real historical events as well as cultural lore from our own history into his stories. I think that Nagga is a perfect example. Frist of all, Nagga is play on the word Nāga, which is a group of mythological serpent gods in Hindu and Buddhist cultures. In these stories, the Nāgas are typically evil or ill willed towards men and other creatures. This slightly coincides with the reputation of Nagga in ASoIaF even though we really only know about the one sided legend. As I mentioned, Nagga would feed on Krakens, and the sigil of the Greyjoy house who are descendants of the Grey King – is a Kraken. For me, there is symbolism behind this legend. The house that would eventually become the Kings of the Iron Islands, defeats its great enemy and rule over its bones for the rest of time.

What do you think about the sea dragons? Would you like to see some encounters with these great creatures in the books or show? Let me know!

 

Stone Dragons

If you thought the Ice Dragon was a lot to wrap your head around, get ready for the legends of the Stone Dragon. There are a lot of components here, many of which are tightly tangled together with “ifs” and “buts” and “what ifs”. But, once we lay it all out the table, I think like myself; you will get very excited about the prospects of Stone Dragons. Ready? Lets dive in!

Lets begin with the easiest theories and legends and work our way up. Starting with Melisandre, the red priestess and follower of R’hllor. Her god, known as the Lord of Light, is loosely connected with the existence of fire dragons – what with the whole obsession with fire, and burning people alive. However, interestingly enough Melisandre isn’t interested in fire dragons. With the end of the current season we’ve come to realize that maybe her mission wasn’t all about Stannis after all. Melisandre, other R’hllor followers and the culture of her home in Asshai all strongly believe that dragons can be hatched via sacrifice of kings blood by fire. This theory coincides with Dany’s dragons (Khal Drogo in the pyr) and leads me to believe that even though Shireen’s sacrifice seemed useless to Stannis’ cause – it might play a role in something much bigger to come.

So, what does this have to do with anything? Well, in the books Melisandre is a lot more open about her end goal than in the show, and that end goal happens to be waking the stone dragon, “Only a king’s blood can wake the stone dragon…Give me the boy and I shall wake the stone dragon…Wake the stone dragon and let the traitors tremble.” Now, the easiest theory out there is that she does in fact refer to a fire dragon. Technically all dragon eggs are stone, and to hatch them would be waking a dragon from stone. However, this post is not about dismissing these theories, its about indulging in them.

The most prominent factor of the stone dragon is Stannis’ fortress, Dragonstone. The fortress was made by Valyrian Lords long before the Seven Kingdoms were ever united. Dragonstone was not built, was not carved, but molded by searing hot dragon fire. This kind of precision and control of the massive dragons of old Valyria is known to be a result of powerful ancient magic, as confirmed by Martin himself: “…the stone was shaped in some fashion with magic… yes, it’s safe to say that there’s something of Valyrian magic still present.” Some take this quote to mean that there are currently sleeping stone dragons underneath Dragonstone that have been enchanted. Some even believe a large cluster of dragon eggs are hidden on the island somewhere. It is loosely suggested that both Rheagar Targaryen and Loras Tyrell found something on that island. Though there is no proof behind this and no suggestion as to what they might have discovered.

Others, including myself, look at Martins quote above and connect it to the massive stone dragon sculptures that surround the castle. They are described as incredibly life-like and that they are very creepy. Take a look at how Davos describes the Dragon Stone sculptures:

“ The wings of the stone dragons cast great black shadows in the light from the nightfire. He tried to tell himself that they were no more than carvings, cold and lifeless. This was their place, once. A place of dragons and dragonlords.”

I believe Davos is foreshadowing something much bigger here. He regularly reflects on the realness of the sculptures and how uncomfortable they make him feel. One theory suggests that these are the stone dragons Melisandre wishes to wake up and that she needs similar magic used to petrify them, to wake them up. This would explain why she is so drawn specifically to Stannis rather than his two brothers – he is the lord of Dragon Stone, where the dragons she desires sit.

Some people believe that the sculptures weren’t simply petrified into to stone by magic, but were infected with Greyscale purposely. Remember, Greyscale slowly turns the entire body into stone. This was a way for the Valyrians to “save” what was left of their dragon colony and over the years as magic grew weaker and weaker, the magic to control Greyscale was lost. This also works with Melisandre’s quest to wake the stone dragons by royal sacrifice. And explains why Stannis was able to cure Shireen’s Greyscale after meeting many different priests and healers.

What do you think about the prospect of Dragonstone hosting the last of the Valyrian dragons in stone? Let me know!

 

Fire Dragons

Fire dragons are just about the only “contact” we’ve had with dragons in the World of Ice and Fire. Most of the characters in the current story know very little about fire dragons. It seems the secrets of the close relationships the Valyrians once had with their dragons are lost. All known magic regarding the use of dragon fire to build and create things is also a great mystery to the modern world. Just as quickly as the Valyrian Empire disappeared in The Doom, a small fraction of their history suddenly came back to life with the birth of three baby dragons; Drogon, Rhaegal and Viserion. In the story we follow their “mother” Daenerys Targaryen as she raises them and tries her best to control her ever-growing brood. She has a hard time doing so as they get older and bigger. Each dragon has his own personality and will not likely be controlled by Dany. So how did her ancestors, the Valyrians of old, have such distinct control over their massive dragons?

The origin of the earliest dragons is a little hazy. The general belief is that the ancient fire dragon species (ancient meaning pre-Valyrian discovery) originated from the lands Far East and beyond Asshai. The ancient Valyrians believed they came from The Fourteen Flames. The Fourteen Flames is an enormous cluster of active volcanoes. It is said that there were deep tunnels woven between these volcanoes – a perfect environment for dragons to lay their eggs. From here the species flourished in the wild for centuries until the fateful day that the Valyrian people mined too deep and discovered the huge lair of the dragon colony. Some refer to this as a pinnacle point in the history of the people of Ghiscar and others dread the danger of playing with nature’s deadly creatures:

“Fourteen or fourteen thousand. What man dares count them? It is not wise for mortals to look too deeply at those fires, my friend. Those are the fires of god’s own wrath, and no human flame can match them. We are small creatures, men.”

Despite the dangers, the Valyrian people mysteriously acquired the skills of a dark and very power magic that enabled them to use these dragons to build their empire. I say mysteriously because, to this day no one knows where the magic came from – after all, the Valyrians were but a simple sheep-herders before their discovery of dragons and magic. After many centuries the magic helped to create a special bond between dragons and their masters. It would seem a sort of biological evolution, as now it is believed that a dragon will only bond with one human in their entire life, magic or not. Judging by this information, I would say that Dany is missing two key components to raising her trio. The first would be the magic her ancestors used to tame the beasts and the second would be the knowledge of properly creating a strong bond with Drogon, but we’ll get back to that.

Eventually the Doom came to take the empire in one fell swoop. “Magic had died in the west when the Doom fell on Valyria…and neither spell-forged steel nor dragons could hold it back”. Few dragons survived, specifically those who belonged to the last surviving Valyrian family who resided on Dragonstone – The Targaryens. Years following The Doom the remaining natural ‘volcano’ born dragons died out and the Targaryens were responsible for hatching their dragons on Dragonstone. As time continued the race of dragons completely died out. With magic and dragons completely gone, they turned into legends in textbooks.

It’s important to note that The Fourteen Flames were not entirely destroyed and are still active. But more importantly, Asshai and The Shadowlands are home to a dangerous mountainous region littered with volcanoes and deep caverns. In fact, Asshai may play a bigger role in the Song of Ice and Fire than we ever imagined. Martin’s love of symbolism in this series makes it quite difficult to identify the meaning of the word “dragons” in many dialogues throughout the story. Many people in Westeros and Essos refer to Dany as a dragon, but her association with the creatures goes far beyond her sigil. “Dragons in Asshai, dragons in Qarth, dragons in Meereen, Dothraki dragons, dragons freeing slaves… each telling differs from the last.” It is unclear whether they’re speaking of Dany or real dragons. What is particularly interesting about this quote is the mention of “Dragons in Asshai”. Dany hasn’t been to Asshai, so either there are other Targaryens or real fire dragons in the eastern lands. It’s entirely possible that a whole separate colony of ancient dragons once dwelled in the Shadowlands and perhaps their eggs remain there.

Another connection between fire dragons and Asshai is the magic used to control them. If you believe that the dragon species originated in Asshai and the lands beyond, this could possibly correlate with the religion of R’hllor. R’hllor is a religion deeply seeded with magic and fire and has a strong following in Asshai. Melisandre came from Asshai and the Red Priest Moqorro was sent by the Red Temple to “assist” Daenerys. Why would she need assistance from a religion she doesn’t follow? What if Moqorro isn’t heading to Mereen to feed her a new religion, he’s going to teach her how to tame her dragons. This and Melisandres mission mentioned in the Stone Dragon section all lead us towards a strong connection between Asshai, R’hllor and dragons.

What do you think? Do you think there are more dragons hiding in Asshai? Do you think the followers of the Red God are racing to work their magic on the first dragons seen in a thousand years? Do you believe that Melisandre is trying to hatch dragons of her own? Let me know!