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Why There Are Four Dragons In Game Of Thrones’ New Opening Titles
The new opening credits for Game of Thrones contain various clues for season 8, but what do the four dragons on the golden ring mean? As the series has evolved, so have the opening credits sequence. With only a handful of episodes left, there are still many questions that need answering. The Game of Thrones opening sequence could indicate which mysteries will finally be solved in the final season.
Dragons were first introduced in season 1 when Daenerys Targaryen was given three petrified dragon eggs as a wedding gift. By the end of the season, the dragon eggs miraculously hatched and the species was re-established into the world of Westeros. From then on, the dragons - Drogon, Rhaegal, and Viserion - became integral pieces to Dany's story arc. The trio of fire-breathing dragons also gave her an advantage over her various enemies, especially on the battlefield. That stood true until they met the Night King.
Dany's connection to the majestic reptiles goes much deeper when considering her family history. The Targaryens had the last surviving Valyrian dragons before the species were thought to have gone extinct. Dany's ancestor, Aegon I Targaryen, used his dragons - Balerion, Vhagar, and Meraxes - to conquer the Seven Kingdoms. The skulls of those dragons are still kept in the Red Keep as the story continues to be passed down to generations. There have been various other dragons kept by members of House Targaryen; it's the theme of their sigil, after all. But could there be other dragons alive in Game of Thrones?
On one of the gold rings within the credits (1:33 mark in the video below), three small dragons can be seen in front of a much larger dragon. Considering only three dragons have made appearances in the series, the addition of a fourth on the gold ring is very intriguing. More than likely the large dragon represents Daenerys, who is also known as the "Mother of Dragons." Even though Viserion is currently a member of the Night King's undead army, all three of Dany's dragons are imperative to the final season. There could also be other meanings behind the message shown in the credits.
The mystery surrounding "The Prince That Was Promised" will hopefully be solved by season's end. The prophecy suggests that a character will emerge as a savior with a sword called Lightbringer to fight the impending darkness. In the book series which the show is based, the prince is thought to be the reborn version of the legendary figure, Azor Ahai. The prophecy specifically uses the word "prince," but in High Valyrian, the word translates to "prince" or "princess." Many viewers suspect that Jon Snow is the prince described in the prophecy, but it could very well be Dany. The shooting star that can be seen above the dragons on the gold ring even matches with a quote by Melisandre in the books, adding more evidence that Dany is Azor Ahai.
Quote:
"When the red star bleeds and the darkness gathers, Azor Ahai shall be born again amidst smoke and salt to wake dragons out of stone."
If the prophecy doesn't become a focal point in the final season of Game of Thrones, it's still possible the image of the fourth dragon has implications for the final episodes. There has been speculation that other dragons could be hiding in Westeros, possibly even in the crypts of Winterfell. In the books, there are rumors that a dragon laid eggs deep in the crypts by the natural hot springs. Seeing as the crypts are an enormous labyrinth of caverns and passageways, who knows what could be hiding in there. If any dragons are in there, now would be the time for them to come out.
