Game Of Thrones: Ice Dragons, Explained

Game Of Thrones: Ice Dragons, Explained

As a fan of Game of Thrones, I am fascinated by the mysterious and powerful ice dragons. Old Nan’s stories of these mythical creatures, with their pale blue eyes, translucent wings, and icy breath, have always left me in awe. Though they are not as commonly discussed as the dragons of Old Valyria, their presence is still felt in the lore of the series.


In the captivating world of Game of Thrones, a genre known as low fantasy, the occurrence of magical phenomena, legendary beings, the looming terror of the Great Other, enchanted items, and mythical beasts are typically met with skepticism and disbelief by inhabitants who perceive their existence in an essentially mundane realm. Following the collapse of the established order, Bran Stark is left petrified upon hearing Old Nan’s harrowing account of winter and the Long Night. The elderly servant woman effectively instills fear within the ten-year-old boy due to his lack of prior knowledge regarding the impending arrival of the White Walkers and other ominous creatures associated with the Long Night.

As a passionate fan of “Game of Thrones,” I can’t help but be intrigued by Old Nan’s tales of the White Walkers and their enigmatic “pale spiders.” These colossal creatures, reminiscent of hounds in size, were the mounts for the icy humanoids as they marched through cities and towns. Though Old Nan never explicitly spoke of ice dragons in the series, her stories leave me yearning to learn more about these fascinating beasts.

What Are Ice Dragons And Where Are They Found?

Game Of Thrones: Ice Dragons, Explained

Ice dragons inhabit the northern reaches of Essos, specifically the frigid Shivering Sea. This expansive body of water is largely untouched due to its extreme coldness and is bordered by the White Waste to the north. To the west lies Northeastern Westeros, while the Narrow Sea lies to the south. The marine life in this unforgiving sea predominantly consists of whales, with the Leviathans being the largest known species, even surpassing the size of dragons.

As a captivated fan of the lore, I can tell you that the dragons dwelling in the Shivering Sea are legendary giants among their kind. They’re rumored to be composed of living ice, and their wings shimmer with a translucent quality, their eyes a pale, icy blue. Their breath, unlike the common dragons of Old Valyria, is not fire but an icy chill that leaves one feeling colder than before.

What Does Game of Thrones Lore Say About Ice Dragons?

Game Of Thrones: Ice Dragons, Explained

Jon Snow perceives traversing the road beneath the Wall as akin to venturing into the “throat of an ice dragon.” In George R. R. Martin’s works “A Storm of Swords” and “A Dance with Dragons,” Jon recalls tales of ice dragons from Old Nan, who regaled him with stories about harsh winters, frozen beasts, and noble figures like Ser Duncan the Tall and the Long Night.

Viserion’s Reanimation: Did He Become An Ice Dragon?

Game Of Thrones: Ice Dragons, Explained

In the sixth episode of season 7 in “Game of Thrones,” titled “Beyond the Wall,” Daenerys’ dragon, Viserion, meets his demise. He plunges into a frozen lake at the eponymous location due to an icicle spear thrown by the Night King. The Wights below had drawn Viserion’s attention, leaving him vulnerable to this fatal attack. During Daenerys’ mission to save her companions beyond the Wall, Viserion was engulfing thousands of Wights in flames. Once retrieved from the lake by the Wights, the Night King brings Viserion back to life as an Undead dragon.

In the world of “Game of Thrones,” Viserion isn’t categorized as an ice dragon from the Shivering Sea or the White Waste. Instead, he is identified as an Undead dragon, making him part of the army of the Others following his revival in the unconventional “Beyond the Wall” episode. Daenerys grieves for Viserion and discovers his unfortunate fate through Bran Stark in the opening episode of season 8, titled “Winterfell.”

The Night King has your dragon. He’s one of them now. The Wall has fallen. The dead march south.

The Night King, accompanied by the White Walkers and their undead army, are granted access to the North when Viserion sets the Easternmost section of the Wall ablaze with his icy blue flames from beyond it. This allows the Dead to cross the barrier and proceed towards the southern regions.

The discussion revolves around whether Viserion is classified as one of the Night King’s lieutenants, a Wight dragon, or simply a Wight, based on Bran Stark’s description of him as “one of them” in “Game of Thrones.” This could imply that Viserion is either a dragon resembling a White Walker’s Wight-horse or a sentient Wight. The show does not explicitly define Viserion’s status, but it is clear that he possesses more intelligence than the mindless Wights, who are infamous for their lack of autonomy. Viserion’s role in the Night King’s army was significant, surpassing that of any White Walker or the massive horde of Wights that were directed towards Winterfell on “Game of Thrones.”

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2024-07-14 21:04