In the world of Game of Thrones and George R.R. Martin’s A Song of Ice and Fire, few images are as iconic as a dragon soaring above the battlefield, ridden by a silver-haired Targaryen. While other cultures have encountered dragons—some even hatched them—the ability to truly control and ride these beasts has remained almost exclusively within the Targaryen bloodline. This isn’t mere coincidence or propaganda; it’s deeply rooted in Westerosi history, magical lineage, and the unique heritage of House Targaryen.
The belief that “only Targaryens can control dragons” is both mythologized and substantiated throughout the lore. From Aegon the Conqueror’s unification of the Seven Kingdoms to Daenerys Targaryen’s rise in Essos, dragon mastery has been synonymous with Targaryen power. But what makes them so uniquely suited? Is it genetics, ritual, or something more arcane?
Ancestral Blood: The Valyrian Legacy
The roots of Targaryen dragon dominance trace back to Old Valyria, the ancient empire that ruled much of the known world through sorcery and dragonlords. The Valyrians were not just breeders of dragons—they were their masters, using spells, horns, and deep psychic bonds to command them. House Targaryen was one of many noble families in Valyria, but they were among the few who practiced dragonlord traditions.
After the Doom destroyed Valyria, the Targaryens survived because they had relocated to Dragonstone a century earlier. With them, they brought their last surviving dragons—and the knowledge of how to bond with them. This isolation preserved their bloodline and magical practices, making them the sole inheritors of Valyrian dragonlore in Westeros.
“Blood of the dragon runs thick in the Targaryens—not just metaphorically. Their ancestors forged pacts with fire and scale.” — Maester Yandel, The World of Ice and Fire
The phrase “blood of the dragon” is more than poetic. It reflects a literal connection between the Targaryens and dragons, believed to stem from generations of intermarriage and exposure to elemental fire. Their resistance to heat—exemplified by Daenerys walking unharmed from Drogo’s funeral pyre—is often cited as evidence of this fusion between human and beast.
Blood Magic and Ritual Bonding
Dragon taming in Valyria was never purely about domination. It involved rituals, chants in High Valyrian, and most critically, blood magic. Eggs were warmed not just by flame, but by sacrifice—often human blood spilled during ceremonies. This practice suggests that the bond between rider and dragon begins before hatching.
Daenerys Targaryen’s hatching of her three dragons on Drogo’s pyre is a prime example. She walked into the flames with the eggs and emerged with living dragons—an act made possible, according to maesters and mystics alike, by a combination of grief, prophecy, and blood magic. The death of Drogo and Mirri Maz Duur served as the necessary offering.
This implies that while Targaryen blood may be a prerequisite, it is not sufficient alone. The bond requires sacrifice, willpower, and an openness to fire and transformation. Other characters have touched dragon eggs or even raised hatchlings (such as Jon Snow briefly interacting with Drogon), but none have achieved true control without the full confluence of blood, fire, and destiny.
Genetic and Psychological Compatibility
While magic plays a central role, there’s also a psychological dimension. Dragons are intelligent, prideful creatures that respond to strength, confidence, and fearlessness. Targaryens, shaped by centuries of believing themselves destined to rule with dragons at their backs, often exhibit a near-delusional sense of entitlement and courage.
This self-belief may be key. A rider must project dominance without hesitation. Hesitation invites rebellion—or incineration. Consider Viserys Targaryen: though he shared the blood, his weakness, cruelty, and lack of true conviction made him unworthy in the eyes of the world—and certainly not someone a dragon would follow.
In contrast, Daenerys, despite her initial timidity, grows into her identity. Her willingness to suffer for her dragons—to walk through fire—proves her worthiness. It’s not just her genes, but her transformation into a figure of fire and conquest that earns her their loyalty.
Exceptions and Challenges to the Rule
Is the Targaryen monopoly absolute? Not entirely. History records a few exceptions:
- Joffrey Velaryon: A cousin of Rhaenyra Targaryen through marriage, he rode Seraxes during the Dance of the Dragons. Though not a pure-blood Targaryen, he carried Valyrian ancestry through House Velaryon, another dragonlord family.
- Ulf the White and Hugh Hammer: Common-born men during the civil war who claimed dragons and briefly rode them. However, their control was unstable, and both met fiery ends—suggesting that blood still matters.
- Jon Snow: Though revealed as Aegon Targaryen, Jon initially appears as a Stark. His natural affinity for Drogon—who saves him multiple times—hints at latent blood-based recognition.
These cases reinforce the idea that while non-Targaryens might mount a dragon, sustained control and mutual trust remain elusive without the proper lineage and inner fire.
| Rider | Dragon | Targaryen Blood? | Successful Control? |
|---|---|---|---|
| Daenerys Targaryen | Drogon | Yes | Yes – full bond |
| Jon Snow | Drogon | Yes (revealed) | Limited, but recognized |
| Ulf the White | Silverwing | No | No – killed by dragon |
| Jacaerys Velaryon | Vermax | Partial (Velaryon + Targaryen) | Yes – strong bond |
Step-by-Step: How a Targaryen Bonds with a Dragon
The process isn’t standardized, but historical patterns reveal a recurring sequence:
- Proximity to Dragon Eggs: Targaryens often grow up around unhatched eggs, forming early emotional connections.
- Crisis or Sacrifice: A traumatic event—death, fire, or personal loss—acts as a catalyst for hatching.
- First Contact: The dragon imprints on the individual immediately after hatching, recognizing them as rider.
- Training and Flight: Through repetition and Valyrian commands, the bond strengthens.
- Shared Identity: Over time, rider and dragon become nearly inseparable—thoughts, emotions, and survival intertwined.
This progression mirrors archetypal hero journeys and reinforces the idea that dragon bonding is as much spiritual as it is biological.
Frequently Asked Questions
Could a non-Targaryen ever truly control a dragon?
Possibly, but only under extraordinary circumstances involving Valyrian blood, blood magic, and immense personal will. Even then, such control tends to be unstable, as seen with Ulf the White. True, lasting bonds appear limited to those with authentic Targaryen or closely related Valyrian lineage.
Why didn’t the Lannisters or Starks try to train dragons?
They lacked access to both dragons and the knowledge required to raise them. After the fall of King’s Landing, most dragons died out. By the time Daenerys arrived, Westerosi houses had no living examples or ancestral rites to draw upon. Additionally, dragonlore was guarded as Targaryen state secret for generations.
Is dragon riding genetic or learned?
It’s both. The genetic component enables compatibility—resistance to heat, psychic sensitivity, and ancestral memory. But the skill of riding, commanding, and surviving requires training, courage, and immersion in Valyrian tradition. Without blood, you cannot begin. Without discipline, you do not survive.
Conclusion: The Fire That Binds
The reason only Targaryens can control dragons lies at the intersection of blood, fire, and belief. They are descendants of the dragonlords of Valyria, shaped by generations of inbreeding, ritual, and mythmaking. Their bodies resist flame, their minds resonate with ancient tongues, and their souls are tempered by tragedy and ambition.
But blood alone is not enough. It takes sacrifice. It takes walking into the fire. And when that fire gives life to dragons, it confirms a covenant older than Westeros itself.
Understanding this bond deepens appreciation for the Targaryen legacy—not as invincible rulers, but as flawed vessels of a dangerous, dying magic. In a world where dragons once ruled the skies, only those willing to become monsters could hope to master them.
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