The writers of House of the Dragon promised plenty more beasts than in the original series, and they certainly delivered. The fourth episode of season 2 finally brought us an actual dance of the dragons, with fire-breathing creatures fighting for life and death.
In House of the Dragon season 1 we saw ten dragons – nine alive, plus the giant skull of Balerion, the Black Dread. The HBO series is expected to show seventeen dragons in total, meaning we are meeting several new fire-breathing beasts in the second season.
According to Targaryen legend, the dragons were born in volcanoes in Valyria. Other theories suggest that they were created by ancient sorcerers using blood magic. Once, the winged monsters inhabited all known lands, but gradually, their population was limited only to the Valyrian empire.
After the destruction of Valyria, the only dragons that survived were those belonging to the Targaryen family. Aegon the Conqueror and his sisters settled on Dragonstone with five beasts. Although the winged reptiles gave the family power, they soon began to degenerate and die out.
However, during House of the Dragon, the Targaryens still have numerous winged beasts. Here’s a list of all the dragons that have appeared in the series so far – we’ll update the article whenever a new fire-breathing lizard debuts on screen.
Spoilers for House of the Dragon season 1 and 2 below .
Which dragons have appeared in House of the Dragon?
Syrax (Rider: Rhaenyra Targaryen)
HBO
The name of the golden she-dragon is derived from the Valyrian goddess of wine, feasting, madness, chaos and ecstasy. Syrax, one of the largest and strongest Targaryen dragons, belongs to Queen Rhaenyra, who first took a dragon flight at the age of seven.
Caraxes (Rider: Daemon Targaryen)
HBO
The name of the mighty beast, who has red scales and a long neck, comes from the Valyrian god of the sea. Caraxes, also called the Blood Wyrm, is a strong and ancient beast originally ridden by Aemon Targaryen – Daemon’s uncle and Rhaenys’s father. After his death, the Rogue Prince claimed Caraxes, making him his devoted companion.
Meleys (Rider: Rhaenys Targaryen)
HBO
The she-dragon of Princess Rhaenys was an old beast with red scales, pink wings, and copper-coloured fangs, claws and horns. Her name was derived from the Valyrian goddess of love and fertility. In her younger days, she was one of the fastest Targaryen dragons, and although she lost this trait with age, she became cunning and fearless in battle. She was nicknamed the Red Queen.
Meleys was slayed by Vhagar during the battle at Rook’s Rest (season 2, episode 4).
Vhagar (Rider: Aemond Targaryen)
HBO
The gigantic she-dragon is one of three beasts participating in the conquest of Westeros – Queen Visenya rode her. Later, her owner was Laena Velaryon, and then she was claimed by Aemond Targaryen, the second son of Alicent Hightower. Vhagar is a bronze beast with bright green eyes. During the Dance of the Dragons, she is almost as big as the famous Balerion, the Black Dread.
Vermithor (Unclaimed)
Warner Bros. Discovery
The dragon of the late King Jaehaerys, grandfather of Viserys and Rhaenys Targaryen resides deep in the caves on Dragonstone. Due to his bronze scales and violent nature, he is nicknamed the Bronze Fury. He is a powerful beast – in size, he is surpassed only by Balerion and Vhagar. Vermithor has no rider, but in the last episode of season 1, Daemon tries to take control of him.
Vermax (Rider: Jacaerys Velaryon)
HBO
He is a young dragon with olive-green scales and orange wing membranes. Vermax belongs to the eldest son of Queen Rhaenyra Targaryen.
Seasmoke (Rider: Laenor Targaryen)
HBO
He is the silver dragon claimed by the son of Corlys Velaryon and Rhaenys Targaryen. He showed his powers in battle against the Crab Feeder during the War for the Stepstones. It is unclear to whom the Seasmoke belongs now.
Arrax (Rider: Lucerys Velaryon)
HBO
He was a dragon claimed by the second son of Rhaenyra. According to George Martin, he had pearl-white scales, golden eyes and breathes yellow fire. Arrax was young and inexperienced, as shown by his battle with Vhagar, which he ultimately lost – leading to the demise of both the dragon and Lucerys.
Dreamfyre (Rider: Helaena Targaryen)
HBO
Dreamfyre, a silver-blue beast, was initially owned by the granddaughter of Aegon the Conqueror. Many years later, Dreamfyre was claimed by Helaena, the daughter of Viserys and Alicent Hightower. Over the years, she has laid many eggs, some of which were stolen. According to some theories, the eggs gifted to Daenerys in Game of Thrones could come from Dreamfyre.
Moondancer (Rider: Baela Targaryen)
HBO
She is a young female dragon who belongs to the daughter of Prince Daemon and the deceased Laena Velaryon. Moondander has pale green scales and pearl horns. She is small and lightweight but agile and fast.
Sunfyre (Rider: Aegon II Targaryen)
HBO
He is the dragon of Viserys and Alicent’s eldest son. The beast has shiny golden scales and pale pink wings. Known as Golden Sunfyre, many considered him the most beautiful dragon in the world. Despite his young age, he is large and heavy.
Sunfyre and Aegon were severely wounded during the battle at Rook’s Rest, where they clashed with Rhaenys and her dragoness Meleys, but also with Aemond and Vhagar (season 2, episode 4).
Balerion (skeleton)
HBO
Initially, he was the dragon of Aegon the Conqueror. Balerion was a gigantic, black monster who breathed black fire, and his name referred to the Valyrian god of the underworld. According to descriptions in George R.R. Martin’s books, he possessed fangs as long as swords and jaws so large it could swallow a mammoth. He destroyed the fortress of Harrenhal and helped forge the Iron Throne. Because of his colour and terrifying abilities, he was called the Black Dread. After Aegon’s death, he had several other riders – the last being King Viserys I. Balerion only appeared as a skeleton in the House of the Dragon.
If you want to see how a typical dragon behaves, watch the video below:
How many dragons do the Blacks and the Greens have?
In the last episode of House of the Dragon season 1, Daemon sums up how many dragons both parties have. Taking into account his calculation and information from Martin’s books, the list looks as follows:
Dragons of the Rhaenyra’s party (The Blacks):
- Claimed: Syrax, Caraxes, Vermax, Moondancer, Tyraxes
- Unclaimed: Vermithor, Seasmoke, Silverwing
- Young dragons: Stormcloud, Morghul, Shrykos
- Wild Dragons: Grey Ghost, Sheepstealer, Cannibal
- Dead: Balerion, Arrax, Meleys
Rhaenyra’s party also has four dragon eggs, which were given to Rhaena Targaryen for safekeeping. The writers have now confirmed that three of these eggs house the dragons that belong to Daenerys Targaryen, many years later.
Dragons of the Alicent’s party (The Greens):
- Claimed: Vhagar, Sunfyre, Dreamfyre, Tessarion
As you can see, currently Rhaenyra’s party has a definite advantage in terms of dragons. The wild beasts are particularly interesting, as they’re extremely dangerous and have never had riders. Since Daemon mentioned them, there is a chance that they will appear in future seasons.
Author: Weronika de Oliveira, Entertainment Writer, Tech Advisor
Weronika is an Entertainment Writer at Tech Advisor, where she covers topics related to TV shows, streaming, and movies. With an MA degree in Film Studies, her areas of expertise range from classical and postmodern cinema to contemporary films, series, and pop culture.
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