HBO’s Game of Thrones saw the return of dragons to Westeros after an almost two-century absence. Its prequel series House of the Dragon, based on George R.R. Martin’s history of the rise and fall of the Targaryen dynasty titled Fire & Blood, takes place back when dragons dominated the skies of Westeros … until a civil war pushed them to the brink of extinction.
The war known as the Dance of the Dragons begins with a dragon-related tragedy in the Season 1 finale of House of the Dragon. Future seasons will depict the increasingly bloody campaign for succession between the Blacks and the Greens to possess the Iron Throne – a civil war that will prove tragic for all involved, human and dragon alike.
The following is a list of all the dragons that appeared during the Dance of the Dragons. Some have already debuted on House of the Dragon, Season 1, while others aren’t expected to appear until later seasons due to the significant passages of time chronicled in Fire & Blood.
Let’s begin with the most notorious Targaryen dragon of them all …
Balerion the Black Dread
The largest and eldest of all the Targaryen dragons, Balerion was flown by Aegon the Conqueror and later became the steed of King Viserys I. The black and red mal dragon has died by the time House of the Dragon begins, but his massive skull can be seen on display at the Red Keep.
Vhagar
The second largest dragon of the Targaryens, Vhagar is an ancient female dragon and the last of those flown during Aegon’s conquest, when she served as the steed of Queen Visenya Targaryen. Together, they burned the Arryn fleet in the waters off Gulltown. Vhagar was named in honor of a god of Old Valyria, and will factor into later developments in House of the Dragon. He was first ridden by Lady Laena Velaryon and then later by Aemond Targaryen.
Syrax
As described in George R.R. Martin’s official companion book The World of Ice & Fire: The Untold History of Westeros and the Game of Thrones, the yellowish Syrax is the “huge and formidable” female steed of Princess Rhaenyra (portrayed in House of the Dragon by Milly Alco*ck as a youth and Emma D’Arcy as an adult).
Caraxes
Dubbed the Blood Wyrm, this huge, red, and horned beast is the steed of Prince Daemon Targaryen (Matt Smith) and is as fearsome and vicious as his rider.
Sunfyre
With his golden scales and flame, it’s no wonder this huge and formidable male dragon is dubbed “Sunfyre the Golden.” He is the steed of Aegon II Targaryen (played by Tom Glynn-Carney).
Vermithor
“The Bronze Fury,” the third largest dragon, is described in The World of Ice & Fire as “old and hoary.” This male dragon was once the steed of Jaehaerys I Targaryen, aka the Old King. Daemon Targaryen is seen visiting it during the Season 1 finale of House of the Dragon.
Silverwing
Once ridden by Queen Alysanne Targaryen, this she-dragon will later become the steed of Ulf the White, a “dragonseed” character yet to be introduced in House of the Dragon.
Meleys
“The Red Queen” is the steed of The Queen Who Never Was, Princess Rhaenys (played in House of the Dragon by Eve Best). Meleys is described in The World of Ice & Fire as “old and cunning, lazy, but fearsome when roused.” Rhaenys and Meleys made quite a splash in the penultimate episode of House of the Dragon's first season.
Moondancer
Dubbed by The World of Ice & Fire as a “slender and beautiful” female dragon, she is the small but swift steed of Lady Baela Targaryen (who will be portrayed in House of the Dragon by actors Shani Smethurst and Bethany Antonia as the younger and adult Baela, respectively).
Seasmoke
This grey and white dragon is still relatively young during the Dance of Dragons, during which it bonds with Ser Laenor Velaryon (John Macmillan). Seasmoke appears during the climactic battle against the Crabfeeder in Season 1, Episode 3.
Dreamfyre
This silver and blue she-dragon has been the steed of both Princess Rhaena Targaryen (daughter of Aenys I) and Queen Helaena Targaryen at different times. Helaena is played by Phia Saban in House of the Dragon.
Tessarion
“The Blue Queen” is the steed of Prince Daeron Targaryen, a role that has yet to be cast in House of the Dragon. This she-dragon, who breathes blue flame, is said to be younger than Dreamfyre, Sunfyre, and Vhagar.
Stormcloud
This young male dragon won’t factor into House of the Dragon until later in the series, during which time it will be the steed of Aegon the Younger.
Vermax
The young male dragon Vermax is the steed of Prince Jacaerys Velaryon (Harry Collett). The green dragon briefly appears during Season 1.
Arrax
Said to be five times smaller than Vhagar, this young male dragon is the steed of Prince Lucerys Velaryon (Elliot Grihault). Arrax and Lucerys play a pivotal role in the Season 1 finale of House of the Dragon.
Tyraxes
The steed of dragonrider Prince Joffrey Velaryon, Tyraxes was not as big as Vermax and Arrax.
Morghul
This young dragon is bound to Princess Jaehaera Targaryen.
Shrykos
This she-dragon is bound to Aegon II”s son Prince Jaehaerys Targaryen.
Morning
The she-dragon Morning, the offspring of Syrax, is hatched during the Dance of the Dragons. Morning has pink scales and black horns and is the steed of Lady Rhaena Targaryen (played in House of the Dragon by Phoebe Campbell).
Sheepstealer
This “brown and plain” wild dragon is tamed by, as The World of Ice & Fire describes her, a “plain, baseborn and disreputable girl” named Nettles, who feeds the dragon mutton to win it over. Nettles has yet to be introduced in House of the Dragon.
The Cannibal
Another beast yet to be introduced in House of the Dragon, this wild dragon is known in Fire & Blood for never having been tamed let alone ridden – and for eating other dragons, hence his name. Legend has it that it’s lurked on Dragonstone since before the arrival of the Targaryens.
The Grey Ghost
Like The Cannibal, this is another wild dragon who was never tamed or ridden and has to appear in House of the Dragon. It is said to have feasted on fish rather than people.
Find all the latest updates on House of the Dragon here. In the meantime, be sure to read our House of the Dragon, Season 1 review, our ending explained for it, and learn why Season 2 will feel like the "middle run" of Game of Thrones.
