'%20x='0'%20y='0'%20height='100%25'%20width='100%25'%20%0A%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20xlink%3Ahref='data:image/jpg;base64,/9j/2wBDAAYEBQYFBAYGBQYHBwYIChAKCgkJChQODwwQFxQYGBcUFhYaHSUfGhsjHBYWICwgIyYnKSopGR8tMC0oMCUoKSj/2wBDAQcHBwoIChMKChMoGhYaKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCj/wAARCAAFAAoDASIAAhEBAxEB/8QAFgABAQEAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAMH/8QAHhAAAgICAgMAAAAAAAAAAAAAAQMCEQAEBSESIjH/xAAUAQEAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAC/8QAFREBAQAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAABH/2gAMAwEAAhEDEQA/AMf1+YZSWBUAuSQZLod3IE91Y+ZVvL+LZxGlqUJED0xjAdf/2Q=='%3E%3C/image%3E%3C/svg%3E)
House of the Dragon digs deep into Targaryen history and adds new layers to what we saw in Game of Thrones. The prequel does more than show dragons and feuds because it ties directly to big moments in the original series. The Iron Throne is not just a seat of power; it is a symbol of Aegon the Conqueror's legacy.
The Catspaw Dagger is not just a weapon because it holds a prophecy that links to Jon Snow and Daenerys. The Dragonpit and Dragonstone are not just locations because they hold the stories of the Targaryen rise and fall. The Kingsguard's vows are not just ceremonial because they started during the events of House of the Dragon.
The Dance of the Dragons was not just a civil war because it set the stage for the Targaryen downfall that we saw in Game of Thrones. Seeing Balerion the Black Dread's skull or learning about Aegon's dream gives more weight to the original story. These connections are not just nods to the past because they show how the history and choices of the Targaryens shaped the battles and betrayals that came later.
Disclaimer: This article is based on the writer's opinion. Readers' discretion is advised.
10 House Of The Dragon references we see in Game Of Thrones
1) The Iron Throne
In House of the Dragon, the Iron Throne looks more dangerous with sharp swords surrounding it, which shows its origins as Aegon the Conqueror's brutal creation. In Game of Thrones, the throne looks less menacing, but it still represents power and chaos. Aegon built the throne using the swords of his defeated enemies, and in House of the Dragon, it shows how this seat of power came to be.
In Game of Thrones, different rulers like Joffrey, Cersei, and Bran Stark sit on the throne, but the fight for it always brings bloodshed. The throne's changing look over time highlights how the Targaryen dynasty lost its grip on power. The full story of the throne in House of the Dragon makes every scene with it in Game of Thrones feel more intense because it shows how dangerous it always was to chase the crown.
2) Balerion the Black Dread
House of the Dragon gives more details about Balerion the Black Dread, who was Aegon the Conqueror's dragon. His massive skull sits in the Red Keep in Game of Thrones, where Cersei Lannister and Qyburn use it to test weapons against dragons. The skull also shows up when Arya Stark explores the hidden tunnels beneath the castle.
In House of the Dragon, Balerion's legacy is not just a story because his shadow still looms over everything. His size and strength make him a legend, and seeing his skull in Game of Thrones reminds viewers of the dragons' lost power.
Knowing more about Balerion adds weight to Daenerys' journey because her dragons are the first to be born in a century. His story bridges the two series and shows how the power of dragons once kept Westeros in line.
3) Dragonstone
Dragonstone is a key setting in both House of the Dragon and Game of Thrones. In the prequel it is where House Targaryen prepares for the Dance of the Dragons with Daemon and Rhaenyra Targaryen using the painted table to plan their moves. In Game of Thrones, Daenerys Targaryen lands at Dragonstone and walks through the same halls, giving her return a sense of history.
The painted table is still there, showing how the Targaryens once ruled and planned from this stronghold. When Daenerys uses Dragonstone as her base to fight Cersei Lannister, it feels like history is repeating itself.
The location connects both series, showing how the Targaryen legacy remains even after years of being away. The battles and plans made at Dragonstone in both shows highlight how this place always served as a launching pad for those seeking the Iron Throne.
4) Aegon’s Dream (The Song of Ice and Fire)
Aegon’s Dream plays a huge role in House of the Dragon when Viserys I Targaryen tells Rhaenyra about the prophecy that a great darkness will threaten the world. This prophecy ties directly to the Game of Thrones, where Jon Snow and Daenerys Targaryen take on the White Walkers.
In the prequel, this dream is a secret passed down from king to heir, showing that the Targaryens believed they had a bigger purpose than just ruling. When Melisandre and other characters talk about the Prince That Was Promised in Game of Thrones, it now makes more sense because we know where this belief started.
The dream gives the fight against the Night King a deeper meaning because it shows how this battle was expected long before it happened. Aegon's vision connects generations of Targaryens and makes Jon and Daenerys' roles in the final battle even more significant.
5) The Catspaw Dagger
The Catspaw Dagger is a clear link between House of the Dragon and Game of Thrones. In the prequel, Viserys I Targaryen shows the dagger to Rhaenyra and reveals that it holds a prophecy about the Song of Ice and Fire. The dagger is made of Valyrian steel, and it shows up in Game of Thrones first as the weapon used in the assassination attempt on Bran Stark.
Later, Arya Stark uses it to kill the Night King, which is a huge moment that connects directly to the prophecy. The dagger is not just a tool for killing because it represents the ancient Targaryen belief that a great threat would come.
The journey of the dagger from Targaryen hands to Arya's final strike shows how this small object played a big role in saving Westeros.
6) The Kingsguard Oath
In House of the Dragon, the Kingsguard swear an oath to serve the crown for life and give up all personal ties, which include lands, titles, and family. Ser Harrold Westerling trains new knights and stresses that their duty is to protect the royal family above all else.
This oath sets the foundation for the Kingsguard traditions seen in Game of Thrones. Ser Barristan Selmy often speaks about his oath when he serves Robert Baratheon and later, Daenerys Targaryen. In one memorable scene in Season 1, he stands before King Joffrey and refuses to go quietly when dismissed from the Kingsguard, showing his deep commitment to his vows.
Jaime Lannister also faces challenges because of his Kingsguard oath, especially when people call him the Kingslayer. The oath influences many decisions and conflicts in both series, showing how loyalty and honor shape the characters' paths and fates.
7) The Dragonpit
In House of the Dragon, the Dragonpit is a bustling stronghold for Targaryen dragons where dragonkeepers manage and train the creatures. Rhaenyra Targaryen visits the Dragonpit, and it stands as a symbol of Targaryen strength. By Game of Thrones, the Dragonpit is a shell of its former self as seen in Season 7 when Jon Snow, Daenerys Targaryen, and Cersei Lannister meet there.
The ruins of the Dragonpit reflect the Targaryens' fall from power and the near extinction of dragons. The contrast between its prime and its ruin shows how much has changed in Westeros.
The empty halls and broken walls in Game of Thrones serve as a reminder of the once-great Targaryen dynasty and how the loss of dragons weakened their influence. The Dragonpit's story connects the two shows by showing the long-lasting impact of the Targaryen legacy.
8) The Targaryen Family Tree
House of the Dragon dives into the Targaryen bloodline and shows how characters like Rhaenyra and Daemon Targaryen set the stage for the family we know in Game of Thrones. These early Targaryens are not just old names in a history book because they are the ancestors of Daenerys Targaryen. In Game of Thrones, Daenerys often talks about her family's past and her right to the Iron Throne.
The prequel shows where her silver hair and dragon-riding skills come from and gives real stories behind the legacy she wants to restore. The Targaryens' powerful image is more than just looks and dragons because it is built on generations of struggle and ambition.
Watching House of the Dragon adds more to Daenerys' story and makes her journey feel like part of a bigger family saga. The series does not just show the history of the Targaryens but makes every win and loss feel connected to what happens in Game of Thrones.
9) The Dance of the Dragons
The Dance of the Dragons in House of the Dragon is not just a war but the Targaryen family tearing itself apart. Rhaenyra Targaryen and her half-brother Aegon II battle for the Iron Throne, and their fight is not just about power but also about who has the right to rule.
In Game of Thrones, Shireen Baratheon briefly mentions this war when reading a book, but the prequel turns it into a full story of betrayal and loss. The war brings death to many dragons and weakens the family so much that it sets up their eventual downfall.
When Daenerys Targaryen brings dragons back in Game of Thrones, it feels more important because of how the Dance of the Dragons nearly wiped them out. This event is not just a piece of history because it shapes the world of Game of Thrones and makes the Targaryen story a tale of both greatness and tragedy.
10) Valyrian Steel and Old Valyria
House of the Dragon brings Old Valyria’s history to life and shows why Valyrian steel is so important. The show features Aegon the Conqueror’s sword, Blackfyre, and the Valyrian steel dagger with Aegon’s prophecy, which ties directly to the events of Game of Thrones.
Valyrian steel swords like Longclaw, Oathkeeper, and Heartsbane are rare and valuable in Game of Thrones, not just because they are strong but because they are the only weapons that can kill White Walkers. Jon Snow’s sword, Longclaw, becomes a key weapon in the battle against the Night King, and knowing its history adds to its significance.
The prequel explains why Valyrian steel is hard to find: the secret of forging it died with Old Valyria. House of the Dragon shows how the Targaryens’ connection to this lost culture helped them rise to power in Westeros and why their legacy still matters generations later.
Trending
Stay tuned for more listicles like this.
Your perspective matters!
Start the conversation
