#Game of Thrones Theories

[ra-horakhty-art]

Dream fire with her children: Drogon, Rhaegal, Viserion.

Comission.

[catubarca]

Jon Snow’s name

I have been thinking about this non-stop for the past few days and I really wanted to share my thoughts about Jon Snow’s name.

This idea is built around the R + L = J theory, which if you’re not familiar is the idea that Rhaegar Targaryen and Lyanna Stark are Jon Snow’s parents.

In the show, as we all know, they named him Aegon, which I hope we can all agree is kind of dumb. Rhaegar already had a damn son named Aegon. I understand why the show writers made this decision, being a connection back to Aegon the Conquerer and his legacy in the Targaryen family – it’s a nice and circular connection.

It’s also boring as hell and completely expected, which is not what George R. R. Martin is about. He’s all about that symbolism; doing the unexpected; going against the grain of typical fantasy into something darker.

Based on this, I have an idea about what Jon Snow’s name could be - one that has some cool symbolic links between the Starks and Targaryens; one that links to some of Martin’s history about the world; and creates a connection between the two major works, GoT and HoTD.

Jon Snow’s name should be Jacaerys Targaryen.

Not only does this create a nice link between Martin’s works - probably his two best known works at this point - it has some other symbolic connections.

During the Dance of the Dragons, it was Jace and Vermax who went to Winterfell to confirm the alliance of the Stark family; it was Jace who allegedly made some kind of pact/bond before a Weirwood tree, recognising their religion and traditions.

And, if we remember one of the North’s favourite little phrases: the North remembers.

Wouldn’t it have been very in character for Lyanna, the She-Wolf, to live up to this phrase of her House, and remember the Targaryen/Targaryen representative who came to Winterfell in alliance, and honoured their religion? Who may have (allegedly) married Sara Snow? 

Kind of like... a pact of ... ice.... and .... fire?

Jace is also (legally, at least) the result of water and fire; Velaryon and Targaryen. Close, but not quite.

I think it’s probably also interesting considering it was Jace’s dragon, Vermax, that Mushroom claims laid a clutch of eggs at Winterfell. His tale is widely considered to be fake, of course, as Vermax is generally considered to be male, but it’s still an interesting connection.

A dragon who left eggs in Winterfell.

A dragon who left a legacy - a bloodline - in Winterfell.

Maybe not a literal story to be taken truthfully, but a literary device that could come to represent a dragon being left with the Starks, if Martin so choses to use it as such. He might not have written it to mean anything, of course, but it would be a fun detail if he wanted it to be.

And, of course, there is something satisfyingly circular about Jace and Jon’s stories, but in a less expected way than Aegon I and Aegon VI: two dark haired boys with Targaryen blood but the wrong surnames.

A bastard raised as a true heir.

A true heir raised as a bastard.

Let me know what y’all think of my idea :) there’s no actual telling what Martin might decide to name Jon if the books do confirm R + L = J, and I’m sure whatever he choses he will have carefully considered reasons for, but I think this is a fun option :) !

[mslizzieforbes]

People that just /assume/ Jon will be a Targaryen in the books because he was in the last season(s) of the show are really truly honest the weakest link.

[alannacouture]

The Catspaw Dagger

Since I can’t sleep, you guys are being gifted w a HOTD/GOT theory I just thought abt & now is stuck in my head. Since the catspaw dagger is literally written w the Conqueror’s vision of “A Song of Ice & Fire”, do you think it’s the only weapon capable of killing the Night King? (We’re going to have to look at the timeline chronologically, instead of when the shows came out. You’ll also have to forgive any book inaccuracies, as I’ve only seen the shows [& spend some time on GOT Wiki].) Bran specifically gifts Arya the dagger, despite knowing he could just wait for Jon & give it to him. I know GOT basically abandoned Bran’s ability to time travel, or whatever, but giving something so historically important to his sister, when Bran probably knew the origins of it, seems odd now. Especially when he discovers Jon’s a true Targaryen, he could’ve asked Arya for it back, gifting it to who many believed was “The Prince Who Was Promised”. Instead, he lets Arya keep it. So, if she hadn’t been armed w that dagger, could she have even killed the Night King? Is the fact that the prophecy is in the blade the reason she was able to at all? Or was Bran playing the long game, knowing 2 Targaryens (who both could be the prophesied Prince(ess)), plus Arya armed w the dagger, gave them a much better chance of defeating the Night King? Maybe anyone holding the dagger could kill him, but a Targaryen without the dagger would be able to as well? … Well, that’s where my head’s at right now. I hope everyone else is sleeping (or being more productive).

[lemonsharkgirlfriend]

everyone's joking about a lesbian love triangle being the focus of rhaenyra/alicent/mysaria's stories in hotd s3 but that will literally be what happens when mysaria acts to uphold and support the image of rhaenyra as queen (or rhaenyra's duty) and alicent is kept prisoner (or a hidden but unavoidable reminder of rhaenyra's love). and so the love triangle will serve to represent rhaenyra's internal conflict between love and duty

[witchthewriter]

Dany Targaryen who cannot have her own biological children but when she liberates Westeros she adopts so many orphans. She DOES break the wheel, she restores peace and even though she has lost people close to her, it doesn't stop her from loving her subjects.

She especially has a soft spot for women and children. She makes sure the children she rules over are always fed, with proper clothes and shoes.

They are all given a choice of schooling, boys and girls alike, children from all classes, cultures and backgrounds.

There is no more Iron Throne because Drogon still melted it down. Maybe her reign does begin with ashes ... but like a phoenix, her people rise.

[aphrmoosun]

Streets are saying what Aemond is doing here is taking a ring from his brother.

Some say it is some kind of betrothed ring with Helaena and others that it is Viserys'. I don't know what to think actually bc I don't know anymore what they want to do with Aemond in this part. What do you think?

It can be he wears both rings but I think Viserys' ring is the one he wears on his little finger and it's the one he wore before going to battle (????

[amber-laughs]

In my personal opinion a lot of people misunderstand the situation around Ned's battle at ToJ. Ned and his men fought and killed several men of the Kingsguard. But why? Why won't they let him get to his sister even though Rhaegar and Aerys are dead?

"I came down on Storm's End to lift the siege," Ned told them, "and the Lords Tyrell and Redwyne dipped their banners, and all their knights bent the knee to pledge us fealty. I was certain you would be among them." "Our knees do not bend easily," said Ser Arthur Dayne. "Ser Willem Darry is fled to Dragonstone, with your queen and Prince Viserys. I thought you might have sailed with him." "Ser Willem is a good man and true," said Ser Oswell. "But not of the Kingsguard," Ser Gerold pointed out. "The Kingsguard does not flee." "Then or now," said Ser Arthur. He donned his helm. -Eddard X

Aerys is dead. Rhaegar is dead. Aegon is dead. Rhaenys is dead. And they know Prince Viserys is alive and unprotected at Dragonstone with a respected knight. Why not go to him? The next in line. Why stay and guard Lyanna? Because they're not guarding Lyanna. They're guarding their King. Jon Snow. They are the kingsguard and their knees do not bend easily. They cannot bend their knee to anyone other than Rhaegar's last living son. They know Lyanna is dying, they know Ned will take Jon away. They might even think Ned will kill him then and there, why not? His faction killed Aegon and Rhaenys. They aren't stopping a young man from seeing his beloved sister, they're stopping him from killing their rightful king.

[starogeorgina]

Joffrey laughing while talking about Rhaenyra’s death to then die the same way Aegon II only adds fuel to my theory that in her final moments Queen Rhaenyra placed a real curse on her brother and those who share his likeness

“Rhaenyra Targaryen had time to raise her head toward the sky and shriek out one last curse upon her half-brother before Sunfyre's jaws closed round her, tearing off her arm and shoulder.”

— Fire & Blood

[kacievvbbbb]

I feel like the main reason this evil shanks theory is so prevalent (besides the private meeting the the gorsei which up even I can’t explain) is that his general cheeriness and lackadaisical disposition is more of a presented front, a mask to be slipped on and off at will which would be fine if he weren’t often put in the same boat as Roger and Luffy two people ( for as much as we know about roger) who have no masks at all.

Don’t get me wrong I’m pretty sure that Shanks is a naturally happy, good natured dude but he’s also the most politically minded pirate we have seen on the show (and some of these pirates were actual politicians) like I’m pretty sure Roger is more mature and secretive than Luffy ( makes sense he’s older and has seen more of the world) but with both of them you never get the sense that their silliness is something they are putting on for the direct purpose of making themselves less of a threat. They both can get serious when the situation calls for it but that feels more of an extension of their already established personality more than a hidden personality.

While with shanks it’s undeniable that something changed within him and his goals the day Roger died I don’t know if Roger actually told him something or if he just wasn’t dealing with the abandonment well it was probably a mix of both honestly. But yeah Shanks comes off as a guy with his ear to the ground someone who has schemes on schemes on schemes. he’s someone playing in the long run, kind of like crocodile but not nefarious. And when compared with a straight forward head first always kinda guy like Luffy, like he often is, he can come off a little suspicious.

There’s something that’s a little fake about his cheer, something a little too performative about his optimism and foolishness. I think it’s a mix of; he’s housing a deep sadness, he’s more of a realist that an optimist and also dudes just a pacifist unlike like luffy who loves to brawl ( like luffy knows when it’s better not to fight but he also loves a good fight) and he would rather deescalate a situation than fight it out and sometimes the easiest way to do that is with an air of cluelessness and making yourself seem less of a threat which makes it so much more jarring but effective when he reveals just how big a threat he is. but I can see why people think it’s suspicious.

(Interestingly even when luffy tries to emulate this behavior like when he first encountered Bellamy at the pub his plan is to just not react which while in the same vain is very different than Shanks actively playing the drunken good natured take it on the chin role for the bandits Luffy was still essentially himself he just refused to react while Shanks played a role which made it more terrifying and effective when he stopped)

Also it doesn’t help that until recently he’s largely been missing from the narrative with just a man echoing or a whisper here or there of how powerful he is.

But I think we should remember that Shank’s goal is essentially world peace. and peace, a true lasting peace, is just a little more of a precarious balancing act, than utmost freedom. For freedom you have to destroy the old game, for peace you have to learn to play a new one, hopefully with a bit more kindness injected into the foundation.

[hotdaemondtargaryen]

THE CAST OF 'HOUSE OF THE DRAGON' REACTING TO FAN THEORIES ABOUT DAEMON TARGARYEN.

DAEMON IS THE NIGHT KING.

[zackstriker]

my absolute favorite phil moment was the time in wdapteo 3 when he unironically and with his full chest almost called the queen his mum on accident

[emprcaesar]

you know how to make a girl fall in love with you

you have a deep conversation about the dynamic of jon snow and daenerys and how they are twin flames connected by a red thread. their stories are interwoven. they were interwoven even before their conception. they are destined for each other.

[queen-helaenas-pet-spider]

Satin Flowers Theories That Spark Joy:

1. He is a highborn!!!!

DEFINITELY POSSIBLE!!!!!! Satin having skills that mainly a highborn would have {reading, writing, etc}, him being bad at keeping fires in Jon's fireplace going {which is something a servant would do, and not a highborn}, etc.

2. He is the real Prince Aegon Targaryen {son of Prince Rhaegar Targaryen and Princess Elia Martell *who was "killed" when Tywin Lannister and his army sacked King's Landing*} and not Young Griff!!!!

A little out there, I know, but it's a fun theory!!!!!!!! If Satin is Rhaegar and Elia's Aegon, and Jon is Rhaegar and Lyanna's Aegon {or whatever Jon's real name might be, I really hope it's not Aegon}, then that means Jon Snow has been one - sidedly trying to court his half brother for 3 books {knowing the Valyrian's, that's not a bad thing, but they're both men, and one or both of them might not be into it}.

And if they're both Rhaegar's sons, them and Daenerys {Rhaegar's little sister} completes yet another 3 headed dragon {Dany as Aegon The Conqueror, Satin/Potential Aegon #? as Rhaenys, and Jon/Potential Aegon #? as Visenya. Walk with me. W A L K W I T H M E ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! }

More cons: 1. Satin being Rhaegar and Elia's Aegon would mean that another heir to the Iron Throne has thrown his life away to serve at a place that will kill you if you try to quit. And 2. As far as we know, Jon and their friends are the only support he has, and that wouldn't be enough to help him reclaim the throne {that Daenerys is also fighting for}.

3. He is one of Robert Baratheon's bastards!!!

Robert {a Baratheon man with Targaryen blood} was in love with a Stark man {Ned Stark, and not Ned's sister Lyanna *who went to war for, but couldn't even remember what she looked like*} and now Jon {A Stark man with Targaryen blood} in love with another potential Baratheon man with Targaryen blood?!?!?!?! {They'd still be related, but not as close as they'd be if he was Rhaegar and Elia's Aegon!!!!!!!!}

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Satin Flowers Theories That DO NOT Spark Joy:

1. He is one of Littlefinger's MANY spies!!!!

WHAT WOULD BE THE POINT?!?!?! I mean, if it somehow ties into Littlefinger's whole climb up the Ladder plan, sure. But other than that, he would just wasting his time, money, and a very pretty boy that can make him even richer.

2. HE IS ONE OF JON SNOW'S KILLERS!!!!

No matter Satin's possible station in the world, he literally has NOTHING to gain from killing Jon!!!! Jon comforted him when he was scared, stayed by his side while fighting, elevated his status {which includes living with Jon in his chambers instead of barracks full of men that hate him}, verbally tore apart all who talked shit about him, etc!!!!

The only thing Satin gains from killing one of his very few supporters, would be getting hurt and killed by enemies. Saying that Satin Flowers is one of the men that killed Jon Snow is about as believable as Sansa Stark causing the Doom Of Valyria {which happened centuries before she was born, but knowing Sansa antis, I'm sure they've found a way to blame her for that, too 🙄🙄💀💀}.

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Or, Satin Flowers could be just as GRRM introduced him as: A former sex worker turned into a man of the Night’s Watch, nothing more, nothing less. But I have a feeling that GRRM has plans for Satin, and I PRAY those don't include hurting or killing him right after the mutiny, or him being a traitor. Either of those would kill Jon....again....💀💀💔💔

[dedalvs]

Hello David, love your work and i hope you are well! If you are still taking High Valyrian questions, I have one about the words for colors (or should I say color groups in this case...?). Was there a particular inspiration or reasoning behind which colors got grouped together under which word?

Thank you and have a nice day!

We know a lot about how color terms evolve over the years. There are some common patterns regarding when new color terms emerge. In conlanging, the goal is to figure out where on that trajectory your conlang's speakers lie (assuming they're humans and the evolution is more or less natural). The landmark study was done by Berlin and Kay in 1969. The snapshot version of it is this:

STAGE 1: white vs. black

STAGE 2: white, black, red

STAGE 3: white, black, red, green, yellow

STAGE 4: white, black, red, green, yellow, blue

STAGE 5: white, black, red, green, yellow, blue, brown

STAGE 6: everything

High Valyrian is at stage 3. Now, it's very important to remember that we're talking about the development of color terms, not color perception. Individual variation aside, human eyes are the same and perceive things just as well now as they used to. That is, just because a language has fewer color terms doesn't mean those speakers can't distinguish between the two colors. Consider that we can have varying shades of what we would call sky blue and just because we'd call them all "blue" or even call them all "sky blue" doesn't mean we can't pick out a pattern going from dark to light and repeating quite easily. Basically, as differentiating color becomes more commercially important, more terms emerge.

So, long story short, I decided it would be good for High Valyrian to be at stage 3, because then it would be more interesting for the daughter languages. That is, if there's no distinction between blue and green (both kasta), maybe northern daughter languages have kasta as "blue" and take some other word for "green" based on "leaf", or something, while the southwestern languages use kasta for "green", and maybe add iēdar "water" on the front of kasta for "blue", or something like that. Thus the daughter languages can be grouped by the new color terms that developed as their speakers left the Valyrian Peninsula and settled in their new home. If High Valyrian was already stage 6 the result would be far less interesting.

That's the story behind it. :)

[witchthewriter]

I don't really talk about theories and such, but I really believe in the whole 'fertile targaryen women = more dragons.'

If anyone wants to put down the op of this theory - because I cannot find them.

But ultimately I agree with the above, and yet, whenever targ women have miscarriages; it's almost like they're blood sacrifices for the dragon line to continue.

It's like a circle and the dragons rely on the women, while the women rely on the dragons. Not only for some sort of spiritual connection, but as a means of defending themselves.

Whenever women are abused and mistreated; this brings down the number of dragons and potential dragons.

And what I truly believe, is that when a Targ woman has a dragon, she is not only protected, but reverred and respected. They can get up and go whenever they please. They have power. It doesn't matter the size of the dragon, they have one nonetheless.

So, why didn't everyone in House Targaryen have a dragon? Mixing the above with also the idea that the father of the family ultimately decides who does and doesn't get a dragon. They decide who does and doesn't get POWER.

Therefore, it sort of seems like with Jahaerys the Conciliator' - that he decided who in his family would have dragons and who wouldn't have a chance. He had many girls; but only like one or two got the chance.

For example, Alyssa married Baelon (her brother) and then she rode her dragon after her marriage.

Ultimately, what I'm trying to say, is that women are an innate part of the dragon lifeline and vice versa. The treatment of women are reflected in the entrapment of the dragons, i.e., the dragonpit. Where they really should be out, free and hunting for themselves. They should have their own power.

Great sources with brilliant takes and info:

Game of Thrones Historian | tik tok | youtube |