House of the Dragon: George R.R. Martin Calls Out “Sloppy” Targaryen Sigil Change in Game of Thrones

House of the Dragon: George R.R. Martin Calls Out "Sloppy" Targaryen Sigil Change in Game of Thrones

As a passionate fan of both “Game of Thrones” and its prequel, “House of the Dragon,” I can’t help but share my thoughts on this intriguing topic raised by George R.R. Martin himself. The second season of “House of the Dragon” is currently captivating audiences on HBO, delving into the Targaryen reign 200 years prior to the events in “Game of Thrones.” I’ve been thoroughly enjoying the series and am always eager for more insights from Martin himself.


The second installment of “House of the Dragon” on HBO is currently thriving with intrigue, as this prequel to “Game of Thrones” delves into the Targaryen dynasty’s history, approximately 200 years prior to the original series. George R.R. Martin, the visionary behind A Song of Ice and Fire, has consistently expressed his thoughts on adaptations and recently commended the second season of “House of the Dragon.” However, there’s one aspect of both shows that Martin isn’t entirely satisfied with: the representation of the Targaryen family crest. In a recent blog entry, the author voiced his displeasure with its portrayal in the series.

Martin initially conceptualized the Targaryen crest as a dragon with three heads, two legs, and two wings. When “Game of Thrones” initially aired, it adhered to this design for the emblem of the household. However, the depiction evolved throughout the series, and currently, “House of the Dragon” utilizes an alternate version, which sports four legs.

Martin penned down, “No Earth-dwelling animal has six limbs.” He went on, “The production team got partially correct, it seems.” A mistake was made, perhaps, or someone delved into heraldry and misunderstood the basics. As Martin put it, “A smattering of knowledge can be perilous.” This refers to the fifth season’s alteration in Game of Thrones when Daenerys Targaryen’s (Emilia Clarke) naval forces began sailing towards Westeros.

House of the Dragon: George R.R. Martin Calls Out "Sloppy" Targaryen Sigil Change in Game of Thrones

As a gamer immersed in the lore of mythical creatures, I’ve come across the intriguing debate surrounding dragons’ number of legs. This confusion, Martin explains, can be traced back to medieval heraldry. In its infancy, both four-legged and two-legged dragon representations graced shields and banners. However, as heraldry evolved into a more structured system over the centuries, those who governed these symbols began labeling the former dragons and the latter wyverns. Bear in mind that neither creature was ever seen in real life; they were purely figments of imagination. Consequently, the distinction between them held an arbitrary nature. Medieval heralds, not particularly known for their zoological expertise even with real animals, left much to be desired when depicting a seahorse, let alone dragons and wyverns.

As a gamer immersed in the intricate world of Westeros, I can confirm that dragons and wyverns are authentic creatures in this realm. Consequently, my personal narrative doesn’t permit me to use the lack of these beings as an excuse. Therefore, within my stories, the Targaryen crest sports two legs, just as it ought to. Why would any Westerosi resident design a dragon with four legs when they could witness the genuine article and model their limbs accordingly? My wyverns share this characteristic; they differ from dragons primarily in terms of size, hue, and their inability to breathe fire.

What Is House of the Dragon About?

House of the Dragon: George R.R. Martin Calls Out "Sloppy" Targaryen Sigil Change in Game of Thrones

According to George R.R. Martin’s “Fire & Blood” novel, the events in “House of the Dragon” transpire 200 years prior to those in “Game of Thrones.” In the second season of “House of the Dragon,” Westeros teeters on the edge of a violent civil conflict as the Green and Black Councils clash over their allegiance to King Aegon or Queen Rhaenyra. New installments of “House of the Dragon” debut every Sunday at 9 p.m. ET on HBO.

In the ensemble of “House of the Dragon,” we find Matt Smith portraying Prince Daemon Targaryen, Olivia Cooke delivering a compelling performance as Dowager Queen Alicent Hightower, Emma D’Arcy taking on the role of Queen Rhaenyra Targaryen, Eve Best bringing Princess Rhaenys Targaryen to life, Steve Toussaint portraying Lord Corlys Velaryon, Fabien Frankel depicting Ser Criston Cole, Ewan Mitchell embodying Prince Aemond Targaryen, Tom Glynn-Carney interpreting King Aegon II Targaryen, Sonoya Mizuno playing the character of Mysaria, and Rhys Ifans acting as Ser Otto Hightower.

House of the Dragon‘s fifth episode of Season 2 drops on HBO on July 14th.

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2024-07-14 04:09