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[[File:Aegon on Balerion.jpg|thumb|450px|[[Aegon I Targaryen|Aegon the Conqueror]] upon [[Balerion]], the Black Dread, as depicted by [http://jordigart.blogspot.com/ Jordi González Escamilla] in ''[[The World of Ice & Fire]]'']]
'''Dragons''' are [[magic]]al flying and [[Dragonflame|fire-breathing]] reptilian [[Bestiary|creatures]]. They existed on the continents of [[Westeros]] and [[Essos]], but were considered to have been extinct for almost one hundred and fifty years. The only remaining traces of dragons were [[Dragonbone|skeletal]] remains and petrified [[dragon egg]]s. But during the events described in the [[A Song of Ice and Fire|main series of books]], the species is brought back to life when [[Daenerys Targaryen]] magically hatches three dragon eggs.{{Ref|AGOT|72}}

Newborn dragons are known as '''hatchlings'''; dragons that are older but not full-grown are known as '''drakes'''.{{Ref|FAB|Birth, Death, and Betrayal Under King Jaehaerys I}} Unbonded and unridden dragons are referred to as '''wild dragons''', whereas dragons that have lost their riders are sometimes referred to as '''castle dragons'''.{{Ref|FAB|The Dying of the Dragons - The Red Dragon and the Gold}}

==Appearance==
{{See also|:Category:Images of Dragons|l1=Images of Dragons}}
[[File:Red Keep Dragon Cellar by Kim Pope.jpg|thumb|350px|[[Skulls of the Targaryen dragons|Dragon skulls]] in the [[Red Keep]] cellars, by Kim Pope ©]]
Dragons are scaled,{{Ref|AGOT|23}}{{Ref|ACOK|12}} reptilian creatures. They have four limbs: two wings, which are used as forelegs like [[w:bats|bats]] and [[w:pterosaur|pterosaurs]],<ref>[[Not A Blog]]: [https://grrm.livejournal.com/493818.html?thread=24775162#t24775162 Awards, Awards (July 15th, 2016) - Comment (July 15, 2016)]</ref> and two rear legs.<ref name=COMICCON07>[[So Spake Martin]]: [https://www.westeros.org/Citadel/SSM/Entry/2267/ Comic-Con (NEW YORK CITY, NY)] (February 25, 2007)</ref><ref>[[Not A Blog]]: [https://grrm.livejournal.com/327410.html?thread=17902322#t17902322 Dany and the Dragons] (July 9, 2013)</ref> [[George R. R. Martin]]'s dragons thereby differ from the traditional depiction of dragons as six-limbed creatures. Martin came to his decision because he was bothered by the fact that no [[animal]] in nature has ever evolved in such a way (i.e. four legs and two wings).<ref name=COMICCON07/> Nonetheless, some ''[[A Song of Ice and Fire]]'' artwork shows them with four legs and a detached pair of wings.

Dragons have strong jaws,{{Ref|FAB|The Dying of the Dragons - Rhaenyra Overthrown}} sharp teeth{{Ref|ACOK|48}} and claws,{{Ref|ACOK|12}} leathery wings,{{Ref|ADWD|68}}{{Ref|ADWD|5}} and long necks{{Ref|ADWD|52}} and tails,{{Ref|ADWD|68}} with horns on their heads.{{Ref|ACOK|12}} As young hatchlings, they are around the size of a [[cat]].{{Ref|ACOK|12}} If it has enough food and freedom, a dragon never stops growing.{{Ref|ASOS|8}}{{Ref|ADWD|68}} A dragon given such freedom can reach a span width of twenty feet within a year and a half.{{Ref|ADWD|52}} Dragons which are locked up, e.g., the [[House Targaryen|Targaryen]] dragons housed in the [[Dragonpit]] in [[King's Landing]], do not grow as large as dragons left free to fly as they wish.{{Ref|ASOS|8}}{{Ref|ADWD|68}} Although increasing age means increasing size, a larger size does not necessarily show a higher age: for example, the wild dragon [[Cannibal (dragon)|Cannibal]], reportedly living on [[Dragonstone]] even before the Targaryens arrived there, was smaller than [[Vhagar]] and [[Vermithor]],{{Ref|FAB|The Dying of the Dragons - The Red Dragon and the Gold}}{{Ref|FAB|The Dying of the Dragons - Rhaenyra Overthrown}} and Vermithor was considered bigger than [[Dreamfyre]], despite being a few years younger than the other dragon.{{Ref|FAB|The Dying of the Dragons - Rhaenyra Overthrown}}{{Ref|FAB|The Sons of the Dragon}}{{Ref|FAB|The Dying of the Dragons - Rhaenyra Triumphant}} [[Balerion]], the largest Targaryen dragon in history, was large enough to swallow an [[aurochs]] or a [[mammoth]] from [[Ibben]] whole.{{Ref|AGOT|13}}

According to Martin, the color of a dragon has no bearing on its character.<ref>Twitter: [https://twitter.com/HBO/status/1560405581655162882?cxt=HHwWhIC-gf6m1qcrAAAA HBO George R.R. Martin Answers Fan Questions] (August 8, 2022)</ref>

Dragon [[bone]]s are black, due to their high [[iron]] content.{{Ref|AGOT|13}} The [[skulls of the Targaryen dragons|polished skulls]] of the [[House Targaryen|Targaryen]] dragons look like glittering [[onyx]], and their teeth look like curved daggers of black [[diamond]].{{Ref|AGOT|13}} 

==Characteristics==
[[File:T Jedruszek BathedinFlames.jpg|thumb|350px|The [[Field of Fire]], by Tomasz Jedruszek © Fantasy Flight Games]]
It is said that dragons are fire made flesh.{{Ref|ACOK|27}}{{Ref|ADWD|2}}{{Ref|ADWD|52}} Great heat emanates from dragons' bodies, to the point that they steam during cold nights.{{Ref|ACOK|12}} When a dragon is wounded, their blood is known to smoke.{{Ref|ADWD|52}}{{Ref|FAB|Jaehaerys and Alysanne - Their Triumphs and Tragedies}}{{Ref|FAB|The Dying of the Dragons - The Red Dragon and the Gold}} Smoke often comes from a dragon's mouth and nostrils,{{Ref|AGOT|72}}{{Ref|FAB|A Time of Testing - The Realm Remade}}{{Ref|FAB|The Dying of the Dragons - The Red Dragon and the Gold}} and [[dragonflame]] is expelled from a dragon's gullet and out of its mouth.{{Ref|ASOS|8}} 

Dragons are carnivore creatures, eating meat as well as fish, and breathing [[Dragonflame|fire]] to cook their [[food]] before consuming it.{{Ref|ACOK|12}}{{Ref|FAB|The Dying of the Dragons - The Red Dragon and the Gold}} They are also known to exhibit behavior of opportunistic [[cannibalism]].{{Ref|FAB|The Dying of the Dragons - The Red Dragon and the Gold}}{{Ref|FAB|The Dying of the Dragons - Rhaenyra Triumphant}}

A dragon's scales are largely, but not entirely, impervious to flame, and serve as protection for the more vulnerable flesh and musculature beneath. As a dragon ages, its scales thicken and grow harder, affording even more protection,{{Ref|FAB|The Dying of the Dragons - Rhaenyra Overthrown}} leaving dragons nearly immune to fire,<ref name=COMICCON07/><ref>[http://web.archive.org/web/20051103091500/nrctc.edu/fhq/vol1iss3/00103009.htm/ "Interview with the Dragon" Copyright © 2003 Robert Shaw.]</ref> although they can still be wounded by [[dragonflame]] (e.g., [[Moondancer]]'s eyes being blinded by [[Sunfyre]]'s fire during the [[Dance of the Dragons]]). Similarly, as dragons age, the fire they breathe becomes hotter and fiercer. Where a hatchling's flame can set straw aflame, the flames of older dragons, like [[Balerion]] and [[Vhagar]] in the fullness of their power, could melt [[steel]] and stone.{{Ref|FAB|The Dying of the Dragons - Rhaenyra Overthrown}} 

Dragons are believed to be intrinsically tied to [[magic]] in the world. Since the death of the [[last dragon]] in {{Date|153}}, it was said that [[summer (season)|summers]] grew shorter and the [[winter]]s colder and crueler,{{Ref|THK}} while magical spells became less powerful.{{Ref|ACOK|49}}

===Life and death===
[[File:Deaths of Lucerys and Arrax.jpg|thumb|350px|[[Vhagar]] kills [[Arrax]] in the [[fight above Shipbreaker Bay]], as depicted by Chase Stone for ''[[The World of Ice & Fire]]'']]
The lifespan of dragons is many times that of a human, though their maximum natural lifespan is difficult to determine: as beasts of war, most of the known examples died in battle.{{Ref|ASOS|8}} Balerion, the largest and oldest Targaryen dragon, was already alive when House Targaryen moved from [[Valyria]] to [[Dragonstone]] in {{Date|-114}},{{Ref|FAB|Aegon's Conquest}} and died of old age{{Ref|FAB|The Long Reign - Jaehaerys and Alysanne: Policy, Progeny, and Pain}}<ref>[[Not A Blog]]: [https://grrm.livejournal.com/360936.html?thread=18791400#t18791400 The Rogues are Coming (March 12, 2014), Reply to question (March 12, 2014)]</ref> in {{Date|94}}{{Ref|FAB|Heirs of the Dragon - A Question of Succession}} during the reign of King [[Jaehaerys I Targaryen]]. Balerion was at least two hundred and seven years old when he died,{{Ref|ASOS|8}}{{Ref|TWOIAF|The Reign of the Dragons: The Conquest}} but as the only known example of a dragon who died of old age, it is unclear if this should be considered typical. It is possible that the wild dragon [[Cannibal (dragon)|Cannibal]], whose date and cause of death is unknown, was about two hundred and fifty years old during the reign of [[Aegon III Targaryen]], if there is truth to the claim that he was living on [[Dragonstone]] even before the Targaryens arrived there.{{Ref|FAB|The Dying of the Dragons - The Red Dragon and the Gold}}

Dragons are not invulnerable. The eyes are where a dragon is most vulnerable, and the brain behind them.{{Ref|ADWD|57}} A [[w:Scorpio (weapon)|scorpion]]'s [[iron]] bolt through the eye killed [[Meraxes]],{{Ref|FAB|Reign of the Dragon - The Wars of King Aegon I}}{{Ref|TWOIAF|Dorne: Dorne Against the Dragons}} and three arrows through the eye [[gift of mercy|mercy killed]] a greatly wounded [[Tessarion]].{{Ref|FAB|The Dying of the Dragons - Rhaenyra Overthrown}} Unlike in stories, a dragon's underbelly scales are just as strong as those along their back and flanks.{{Ref|ADWD|57}} Young dragons, with their softer scales, are more vulnerable than older ones; on [[Aegon III Targaryen|his rider's]] first flight, [[Stormcloud]] was hit by a scorpion bolt through his neck and shot by dozens of arrows into his belly, and died within the hour.{{Ref|FAB|The Dying of the Dragons - The Red Dragon and the Gold}} [[Vermax]]'s belly may have been torn by a grapnel, though the dragon definitely died when it became tangled in a sinking ship.{{Ref|FAB|The Dying of the Dragons - The Red Dragon and the Gold}} Tales also speak of killing dragons with a spear down the gullet, but this is known to be impossible.{{Ref|ADWD|57}} Still, five dragons were killed in the [[storming of the Dragonpit]], some with axes, spears, and swords, some crushed under stone or by strangulation.{{Ref|FAB|The Dying of the Dragons - Rhaenyra Overthrown}}

Though it is rare for a man to be a [[dragonslayer]], dragons have often been known to wound and kill other dragons, both in Westeros and [[Valyria]].{{Ref|FAB|The Dying of the Dragons - The Blacks and the Greens}} Many dragons killed each other during the [[Dance of the Dragons]] ({{Date|129|131}}), using their teeth and claws. [[Meleys]] half tore off [[Sunfyre]]'s wing,{{Ref|FAB|The Dying of the Dragons - The Red Dragon and the Gold}} and Sunfyre was also wounded by [[Moondancer]], though not without blinding the other dragon's eyes with his flame.{{Ref|FAB|The Dying of the Dragons - Rhaenyra Overthrown}} In a [[Second Battle of Tumbleton|three-way fight]] between dragons, [[Vermithor]] ripped [[Seasmoke]]'s head off, before he died from the wounds given to him by that dragon and by Tessarion.{{Ref|FAB|The Dying of the Dragons - Rhaenyra Overthrown}} Earlier, Balerion crushed [[Quicksilver]]'s neck with his teeth while tearing off her wing with his claws.{{Ref|FAB|The Sons of the Dragon}} When Balerion returned from a possible journey to Valyria with Princess [[Aerea Targaryen]], the dragon had half-healed scars and bloody wounds from an unknown cause, including a nearly nine foot rent down his side.{{Ref|FAB|Jaehaerys and Alysanne - Their Triumphs and Tragedies}}

===Reproduction===
[[File: Alysanne and Jaehaerys on Silverwing and Vermithor.jpg|thumb|right|350px|[[Vermithor]] and [[Silverwing]] were an apparently mated pair of dragons, echoing their first [[dragonrider|riders]], King [[Jaehaerys I Targaryen|Jaehaerys]] and Queen [[Alysanne Targaryen]]. Art by Sanrixian ©]]
Historians, like [[Septon]] [[Barth]], [[Grand Maester]] [[Munkun]], and [[Maester]] [[Thomax]], disagree on the mating habits of dragons.{{Ref|ADWD|14}} Dragons lay large, scaled [[dragon egg|eggs]] to reproduce.{{Ref|AFFC|35}} According to Archmaester [[Gyldayn]], and agreed upon by Maester [[Yandel]], the ability of a dragon to lay eggs is proof that said dragon is female. When a dragon is never observed to have laid eggs, this is taken as proof that it must have been male.{{Ref|TWOIAF|The North: Winterfell}} However, according to Barth and Maester [[Aemon Targaryen (son of Maekar I)|Aemon]], dragons have no fixed gender, but are ''“now one and now the other, as changeable as flame”''.{{Ref|AFFC|35}} Barth believed that dragons can change sex at need,{{Ref|TWOIAF|The North: Winterfell}}{{Ref|AFFC|35}} but Maester [[Anson]] believes this to be erroneous, and states in his ''[[Truth (book)|Truth]]'' that Barth's statement is simply a misunderstood esoteric metaphor.{{Ref|TWOIAF|The North: Winterfell}}

Dragons believed to be female, e.g., [[Syrax]],{{Ref|ADWD|8}}{{Ref|TWOIAF|The Targaryen Kings: Viserys I}}{{Ref|FAB|Heirs of the Dragon - A Question of Succession}} [[Dreamfyre]],{{Ref|FAB|A Time of Testing - The Realm Remade}} [[Tessarion]],{{Ref|FAB|Heirs of the Dragon - A Question of Succession}} and [[Meleys]],{{Ref|FAB|The Long Reign - Jaehaerys and Alysanne: Policy, Progeny, and Pain}} are referred to as a ''she-dragon'' or sometimes a ''queen''.{{Ref|TWOIAF|The Targaryen Kings: Aegon II}}

It is implied that the bonds of a [[dragonrider]] and their dragon may affect the dragon's mating habits. King [[Jaehaerys I Targaryen]]'s dragon Vermithor often coiled with his Queen [[Alysanne Targaryen]]'s [[Silverwing]], even five decades after their riders' deaths.{{Ref|FAB|The Dying of the Dragons - Rhaenyra Overthrown}} [[Daemon Targaryen]] and his wife [[Laena Velaryon]] often visited Dragonstone on their dragons [[Caraxes]] and Vhagar to fly with [[Rhaenyra Targaryen]] and [[Syrax]], and during that period Syrax produced several clutches of eggs.{{Ref|FAB|Heirs of the Dragon - A Question of Succession}}

Traditionally, Targaryen princes received a dragon's egg in their cradle, allowing the infants to bond with the dragons as soon as the eggs hatched.{{Ref|FAB|Heirs of the Dragon - A Question of Succession}}{{Ref|TWOIAF|The Targaryen Kings: Viserys I}} This tradition supposedly started during the reign of King [[Aegon I Targaryen]], when Princess [[Rhaena Targaryen (daughter of Aenys I)|Rhaena Targaryen]] placed a dragon egg in the cradles of her younger siblings, [[Jaehaerys I Targaryen|Jaehaerys]] and [[Alysanne Targaryen|Alysanne]] shortly after their births.{{Ref|FAB|Birth, Death, and Betrayal Under King Jaehaerys I}}{{Ref|FAB|The Sons of the Dragon}} From these two eggs, the dragons [[Vermithor]] and [[Silverwing]] hatched.{{Ref|FAB|The Sons of the Dragon}} During the rule of King [[Jaehaerys I Targaryen]], the king placed an egg in the cradle of his newborn son, [[Aemon Targaryen (son of Jaehaerys I)|Aemon]], in {{Date|55}}, at the suggestion of Queen [[Alysanne Targaryen]].{{Ref|FAB|Jaehaerys and Alysanne - Their Triumphs and Tragedies}} During the reign of King [[Viserys I Targaryen]], placing a dragon egg in the cradle of a newborn princeling became truly customary.{{Ref|FAB|Heirs of the Dragon - A Question of Succession}} [[Jacaerys Velaryon]], [[Lucerys Velaryon]], [[Joffrey Velaryon]],{{Ref|FAB|Heirs of the Dragon - A Question of Succession}} [[Viserys II Targaryen|Viserys Targaryen]], [[Jaehaerys Targaryen (son of Aegon II)|Jaehaerys Targaryen]], [[Jaehaera Targaryen]], and [[Maelor Targaryen]]{{Ref|FAB|Heirs of the Dragon - A Question of Succession}} are all known to have received an egg in their cradle during Viserys I's reign. During the reign of King [[Aegon III Targaryen]], eggs were placed in the cradles of Prince [[Aegon IV Targaryen|Aegon]], Prince [[Aemon Targaryen (son of Viserys II)|Aemon]], and Lady [[Laena Velaryon (daughter of Alyn)|Laena Velaryon]].{{Ref|FAB|The Lysene Spring and the End of Regency}}

Un-hatched eggs can become petrified at an old age, turning to stone.{{Ref|AGOT|11}}{{Ref|TWOIAF|The Targaryen Kings: Aerys II}}

==Culture==
Dragons are depicted in the [[Heraldry|sigils]] of several [[List of Houses|Westerosi Houses]] and [[List of personal arms|personal arms]], such as:
<gallery mode=nolines>
House Blackfyre.svg|[[House Blackfyre]]
House Targaryen.svg|[[House Targaryen]]
House Toland.svg|[[House Toland]]
House Vance of Atranta.svg|[[House Vance of Atranta]]
House Vance of Wayfarer's Rest.svg|[[House Vance of Wayfarer's Rest]]
House Willum.svg|[[House Willum]]
Brynden Rivers.svg|[[Brynden Rivers]]
</gallery>

[[Dragonbone]] is as strong as [[steel]], but lighter and far more flexible, and impervious to fire.{{Ref|AGOT|13}} It has been used to make brooches,{{Ref|AGOT|3}} bows,{{Ref|AGOT|11}}{{Ref|AGOT|13}} hilts of [[Valyrian steel dagger]]s,{{Ref|AGOT|14}} and whip handles.{{Ref|ASOS|27}} 

Dragon eggs are highly valuable, for their beauty and rarity,{{Ref|AGOT|46}} as well as their link to monarchial legitimacy and potential to hatch a dragon.{{Ref|TMK}}{{Ref|TSS}}

There are many songs and tales of legendary [[dragonslayer]]s, most existing long before dragons definitely arrived in Westeros.{{Ref|TWOIAF|The Reach: The Gardener Kings}}{{Ref|ADWD|8}}{{Ref|AFFC|20}}

===Dragonriders===
{{Main|Dragonrider}}
Dragons are intelligent creatures<ref name=COMICCON07/> which can be trained to serve as battle mounts and understand vocal commands. They are said to be capricious in nature,{{Ref|ADWD|5}} and have to be trained to keep them from laying waste to everything around them.{{Ref|ACOK|40}} However, dragons will not allow everyone to mount them. In [[Valyria]], the noble-born dragonriding families, the [[dragonlord]] families, frequently [[incest|married brother to sister]] to keep the bloodline pure,{{Ref|TWOIAF|The Targaryen Kings: Aenys I}} and it is generally believed that Valyrian heritage plays a part. During the civil war known as the [[Dance of the Dragons]], Prince [[Jacaerys Velaryon]] called upon Targaryen [[bastard]]s and their descendants, the so-called [[dragonseeds]], to try and mount a dragon. Regardless, men without Valyrian descent made their attempts as well.{{Ref|FAB|The Dying of the Dragons - The Red Dragon and the Gold}} Having Valyrian blood (no matter how directly) is not a guarantee that bonding with a dragon will be successful.{{Ref|ADWD|68}}

Once a dragon has bonded with a rider, that dragon will not allow anyone else to mount it alone while its rider lives, no matter how familiar said person might be to the dragon.{{Ref|FAB|The Dying of the Dragons - Rhaenyra Overthrown}} But when the person bonded to the dragon is on the dragon's back, they may take a passenger.{{Ref|FAB|Aegon's Conquest}}{{Ref|FAB|The Dying of the Dragons - Rhaenyra Triumphant}} When the rider of a dragon dies, that dragon can bond with a new rider.{{Ref|FAB|The Long Reign - Jaehaerys and Alysanne: Policy, Progeny, and Pain}} No rider has ever ridden a different dragon while their current dragon was alive.{{Ref|ADWD|50}} However, when Prince [[Viserys I Targaryen|Viserys Targaryen]]'s dragon [[Balerion]] died, according to Martin, "[Viserys] did not take a second dragon",<ref>[[Not A Blog]]: [https://grrm.livejournal.com/360936.html?thread=18786792#/t18786792 The Rogues are Coming... (March 12, 2014), Comment (March 12, 2014)]</ref> leaving the possibility that a rider might bond with a new dragon after his/her first dragon has died. Indeed, Queen [[Rhaenyra Targaryen]], following the death of her dragon [[Syrax]], insisted on finding more dragon eggs, as she "must have another dragon",{{Ref|FAB|The Dying of the Dragons - Rhaenyra Overthrown}} as did King [[Aegon II Targaryen]] after the death of his dragon [[Sunfyre]].{{Ref|FAB|The Dying of the Dragons - The Short, Sad Reign of Aegon II}} Dragons who have had a rider once before are easier to bond with than wild dragons.{{Ref|FAB|The Dying of the Dragons - The Red Dragon and the Gold}}

A dragon might to be able to sense when its current rider is in distress or has died. This is implied in the case of the dragon [[Dreamfyre]], who, despite being locked and chained in the [[Dragonpit]], is said to have sensed when her rider [[Helaena Targaryen]] committed suicide in [[Maegor's Holdfast]], at the other side of [[King's Landing]].{{Ref|FAB|The Dying of the Dragons - Rhaenyra Overthrown}} The sense of connection between dragon and rider may also be mutual — when [[Drogon]] was impaled by a spear, he and his bonded owner, [[Daenerys Targaryen]], both screamed at the same moment, even though she had not yet ridden him.{{Ref|ADWD|52}}

Dragonriders usually ride their dragons using special saddles. Chains attached to the saddle are fastened to the rider's belt, for security.{{ref|FAB|The Dying of the Dragons - Rhaenyra Triumphant}}{{ref|FAB|The Dying of the Dragons - Rhaenyra Overthrown}} However, a rider could leave their chains dangling, if they wish.{{ref|FAB|The Dying of the Dragons - Rhaenyra Triumphant}} A dragonrider may also ride without a saddle, their legs around the dragon's back or neck.{{ref|ADWD|52}}{{ref|ADWD|71}}{{ref|FAB|The Dying of the Dragons - Rhaenyra Overthrown}}

==History==
===Ancient Dragons===
[[File:Magali Villeneuve Dragonlords.jpg|thumb|350px|[[Dragonlord]]s from the [[Valyrian Freehold]], as depicted by Magali Villeneuve in ''[[The World of Ice & Fire]]'']]
In [[Barth]]'s ''[[Unnatural History]]'', the [[septon]] considered several legends regarding the origins of dragons. The [[Valyrians]] claimed that dragons sprang forth from the [[Fourteen Flames]], a ring of volcanoes on the [[Valyrian peninsula]].{{Ref|TWOIAF|Ancient History: The Rise of Valyria}} In [[Qarth]], tales state dragons came from a second moon in the sky, which was scalded by the sun and cracked like an egg, and a million dragons poured forth. Dragons are also said to have originated from the [[Shadow Lands]] beyond [[Asshai]] and the islands of the [[Jade Sea]].{{Ref|AGOT|23}} Ancient tales from Asshai claim that an unnamed people first tamed these dragons, brought them to [[Valyria]], and taught the Valyrians their arts before departing from the annals of history.{{Ref|TWOIAF|Ancient History: The Rise of Valyria}} Barth put forth the theory that dragons were created by Valyrian [[bloodmages]] using [[wyvern]]s, which are flying reptiles that do not breathe flame.{{Ref|TWOIAF|Beyond the Free Cities: Sothoryos}} Dragons may also be related to [[firewyrm]]s, which are wingless reptilian creatures that do breathe flame.{{Ref|AFFC|22}}

Dragons populated most of the [[known world]] in ages past,<ref name=Dragons>[[So Spake Martin]]: [https://www.westeros.org/Citadel/SSM/Entry/Dragons_in_Westeros/ Dragons in Westeros] (December 11, 1999)</ref> and ancient dragon bones have been found as far north as [[Ib]] and as south as the jungles of [[Sothoryos]].{{Ref|TWOIAF|Ancient History: The Rise of Valyria}} The yellow emperor [[Chai Duq]] of [[Yi Ti]] is said to have kept a dragon at his court after marrying a noblewoman from Valyria.{{Ref|TWOIAF|The Bones and Beyond: Yi Ti}}

In [[Westeros]], Ser [[Galladon of Morne]] is said to have slain a dragon with the [[Just Maid]],{{Ref|AFFC|20}} [[Crackbones]] allegedly twisted a dragon's neck into a knot,{{Ref|AFFC|20}} and [[Serwyn of the Mirror Shield]] slew the dragon [[Urrax]].{{Ref|ADWD|8}} [[Davos the Dragonslayer]] is a hero beloved in the [[Reach]],{{Ref|TWOIAF|The Reach: The Gardener Kings}} and dragons are also said to have once roosted on [[Battle Isle]] until the first [[House Hightower|Hightower]] put an end to them.{{Ref|TWOIAF|The Reach: Oldtown}} [[Smallfolk]] claim that the hot springs below [[Winterfell]] are warmed by the breath of a subterranean dragon.{{Ref|TWOIAF|The North: Winterfell}} 

Outside of Westeros, dragons, [[demons]], and other creatures are said to inhabit the cliff caves above the [[Ash (river)|Ash]] north of [[Asshai]].{{Ref|TWOIAF|The Bones and Beyond: Asshai-by-the-Shadow}} [[Sea dragon]]s in the [[Sunset Sea]] and [[ice dragon]]s in the [[Shivering Sea]] are recalled in legends and folklore, but scholars have no proof of their existence, or how closely related they are to dragons.{{Ref|TWOIAF|The Iron Islands: Driftwood Crowns}}{{Ref|TWOIAF|Beyond the Free Cities: The Shivering Sea}} [[Nagga]] is said to have been the first [[sea dragon]].{{Ref|AFFC|19}}

===Valyrian Freehold===
The [[Valyria]]ns mastered the art of raising dragons, and used them as weapons of war to carve out a massive empire, the [[Valyrian Freehold]].{{Ref|TWOIAF|Ancient History: The Rise of Valyria}} The Valyrians are said to have used [[sorcery|sorcerous]] [[dragon horn]]s to tame dragons.{{Ref|AFFC|19}}

The Valyrians used dragons to conquer the [[Old Empire of Ghis]] in the [[Ghiscari wars]],{{Ref|TWOIAF|Ancient History: The Rise of Valyria}} and hundreds of dragons were employed by Valyria during the [[Rhoynish Wars]].{{Ref|TWOIAF|Ancient History: Ten Thousand Ships}}

After the [[Doom of Valyria]], however, the only dragons known to have survived were five dragons on [[Dragonstone]]. They belonged to [[House Targaryen]], who had brought them from Valyria when they went into exile. Four of these dragons eventually died on Dragonstone, leaving only [[Balerion]]. However, the other dragons left eggs behind, and from these hatched [[Vhagar]] and [[Meraxes]].{{Ref|FAB|Aegon's Conquest}}

===The Targaryen Dragons===
[[File:Battle Beneath the Gods Eye.jpg|thumb|350px|[[Balerion]] kills [[Aegon Targaryen (son of Aenys I)|Aegon Targaryen]] and [[Quicksilver]] during the [[Battle Beneath the Gods Eye]], as depicted by Michael Komarck in ''[[The World of Ice & Fire]]'']]
[[House Targaryen]] used [[Balerion]], [[Vhagar]], and [[Meraxes]] in their [[Wars of Conquest]] against the [[Seven Kingdoms]]. They were instrumental in the [[burning of Harrenhal]] and the [[Field of Fire]], and the threat of dragons led to the submissions of [[Torrhen Stark]] and [[Sharra Arryn]].{{Ref|FAB|Aegon's Conquest}} Dragons were also used in the [[First Dornish War]], which caused the death of Meraxes at the [[Hellholt]] in {{Date|10}}.{{Ref|TWOIAF|The Targaryen Kings: Aegon I}} A valuable [[gold]]en [[currency|coin]] of the kingdom became known as a golden dragon.{{Ref|AGOT|16}}

Many dragons were hatched after [[Aegon's Conquest]]. During Aegon I's reign, "half a dozen" hatchlings were born on Dragonstone.  One of the first was [[Quicksilver]], hatched in {{Date|7}}, who bonded with Aegon I's elder son and heir, [[Aenys I Targaryen|Aenys]]. Another two dragons hatched during the first year of Aenys's reign, in {{Date|38}}.{{Ref|FAB|The Sons of the Dragon}} Dragon fought dragon for the first time since the [[Doom of Valyria]] in the [[Battle Beneath the Gods Eye]], resulting in the death of Quicksilver in {{Date|43}}.{{Ref|TWOIAF|The Targaryen Kings: Maegor I}}{{Ref|FAB|The Sons of the Dragon}}
 
Over the course of one hundred and fifty years, the Targaryens rode their dragons as a symbol of their power, and as a means of transport. It is said that King [[Jaehaerys I Targaryen]] took six dragons with him to the [[north]], including Jaehaerys's [[Vermithor]] and Queen [[Alysanne Targaryen|Alysanne]]'s [[Silverwing]], to visit the [[Warden of the North|Warden]] of the region;{{Ref|ASOS|41}} however, it is possible that the story is just a fable, since the historical record of the visit does not mention that number of dragons.{{Ref|FAB|Jaehaerys and Alysanne - Their Triumphs and Tragedies}}

Balerion died of old age{{Ref|FAB|The Long Reign - Jaehaerys and Alysanne: Policy, Progeny, and Pain}} in {{Date|94}}, late in the reign of Jaehaerys I.{{Ref|TWOIAF|The Targaryen Kings: Jaehaerys I}} Jaehaerys's grandson and eventual successor [[Viserys I Targaryen|Viserys I]] was Balerion's rider at the time of its death.{{Ref|FAB|Heirs of the Dragon - A Question of Succession}}<ref>[[Not A Blog]]: [https://grrm.livejournal.com/360936.html?thread=18791400#t18791400 The Rogues Are Coming... (Comment March 12, 2014)]</ref> This left Vhagar as the largest living dragon, and by {{Date|129}} she was approaching Balerion's size.{{Ref|FAB|The Dying of the Dragons - Rhaenyra Triumphant}}

By {{Date|129}}, on the eve of civil war between [[Rhaenyra Targaryen|Rhaenyra]] and [[Aegon II Targaryen|Aegon II]], there were twenty living dragons.{{Ref|FAB|The Dying of the Dragons - The Blacks and the Greens}} The largest and oldest dragons were Vhagar, Vermithor, Silverwing, [[Dreamfyre]], [[Meleys]], [[Caraxes]], and [[Syrax]]. Younger dragons still large enough to be ridden to war were [[Seasmoke]], [[Sunfyre]], [[Tessarion]], [[Vermax]], [[Arrax]], [[Tyraxes]], and [[Moondancer]]. [[Stormcloud]], [[Morghul]], and [[Shrykos]] were hatchlings not yet big enough to ride.

There were also three wild dragons living on [[Dragonstone]] which had never been successfully claimed by any rider: [[Grey Ghost]], [[Sheepstealer]], and the [[Cannibal (dragon)|Cannibal]]. Sheepstealer hatched when Jaehaerys I was still young, and the Cannibal was even older (none knew for certain when it had hatched), and thus they were also quite large by the time of the [[Dance of the Dragons]], while Grey Ghost was a younger and smaller beast. Not every hatchling lived to maturity, however, as seen with [[Rhaena Targaryen (daughter of Daemon)|Rhaena of Pentos]], whose hatchling only lived a matter of hours.{{Ref|FAB|The Dying of the Dragons - The Red Dragon and the Gold}}

===Extinction and Attempts at Revival===
[[File:Tomasz Jedruszek Dragon sight.jpg|thumb|350px|right|Dragons in flight, by Tomasz Jedruszek © Fantasy Flight Games]]
By the end of the reign of King [[Viserys I Targaryen]], twenty dragons were alive. The majority of these dragons died during the civil war called the [[Dance of the Dragons]], which began in {{Date|129}} and lasted until mid {{Date|131}}.{{Ref|TWOIAF|The Targaryen Kings: Viserys I}} By the end of the Dance in {{Date|131}}, only four dragons remained alive: the wild [[Cannibal (dragon)|Cannibal]], never ridden; [[Sheepstealer]], hiding in the [[Mountains of the Moon]] with [[Nettles|its rider]]; [[Silverwing]], who had gone feral after the deaths of [[Ulf White|her rider]] and [[Vermithor|her mate]]; and the young dragon [[Morning]], who had hatched during the war.{{Ref|TWOIAF|The Targaryen Kings: Viserys I}} In {{Date|132}}, a messenger from [[Alys Rivers]], [[witch]] queen of [[Harrenhal]], claimed to have seen a dragon within the castle, though the truth of the matter is uncertain.{{Ref|FAB|Under the Regents - The Hooded Hand}}

There were still many dragon eggs left after the war, and at least a few hatched. Terrifyingly, one hatched a blind and wingless [[wyrm]] that attacked [[Laena Velaryon (daughter of Alyn)|its cradlemate]] and was killed.{{Ref|FAB|The Lysene Spring and the End of Regency}} At least two Dragonstone hatchlings were misshapen, and grew no bigger than [[dog|mastiffs]] before they died.{{Ref|AGOT|13}} The [[last dragon]] was a green female, small and stunted, with withered wings.{{Ref|THK}} She died young in {{Date|153}}, during the reign of King [[Aegon III Targaryen]], thereafter known as the Dragonbane.{{Ref|AGOT|22}}{{Ref|THK}}{{Ref|TWOIAF|The Targaryen Kings: Aegon III}} She laid a clutch of five eggs,{{Ref|TMK}} which never hatched.{{Ref|THK}} 

Archmaester [[Marwyn]] holds that the order of [[maesters]], with their secret goal to suppress [[magic]], was responsible for the extinction of dragons.{{Ref|AFFC|45}} According to Ser [[Arlan of Pennytree]], the summers became shorter after the last dragon died, and the winters longer and crueler.{{Ref|THK}}

After their extinction, the only remnants of dragons were their [[dragonbone|bones]],{{Ref|AGOT|13}} their skulls,{{Ref|AGOT|13}} and their eggs, which eventually turned to stone over time.{{Ref|TMK}}{{Ref|TWOIAF|The Targaryen Kings: Baelor I}}{{Ref|TWOIAF|The Targaryen Kings: Aerys II}} The eggs were highly valued for their beauty and exotic nature.{{Ref|AGOT|46}} The Targaryens had a collection of [[Skulls of the Targaryen dragons|nineteen dragon skulls]] of various sizes and ages, that they displayed on the walls of the [[Iron Throne|throne room]] in the [[Red Keep]]. The oldest was thousands of years old.{{Ref|AGOT|13}}

Many futile attempts were made to revive dragons. [[Aegon III Targaryen]] had nine mages cross the narrow sea to use their magics in attempt to hatch remaining dragon eggs.{{Ref|ASOS|54}}{{Ref|TWOIAF|The Targaryen Kings: Aegon III}} The pious King [[Baelor I Targaryen]] attempted to hatch his egg by praying over it.{{Ref|ASOS|54}}{{Ref|TWOIAF|The Targaryen Kings: Baelor I}} [[Aegon IV Targaryen]] ordered [[pyromancer]]s to build seven [[dragons (mechanical)|mechanical "dragons"]] that shot jets of [[wildfire]]. Hundreds of men died in a failed attempt to use them to invade [[Dorne]].{{Ref|ASOS|54}}{{Ref|TWOIAF|The Targaryen Kings: Aegon IV}} Prince [[Aerion Targaryen]] drank wildfire, believing it would transform him into a dragon, but only died screaming.{{Ref|ASOS|54}}{{Ref|TWOIAF|The Targaryen Kings: Maekar I}} The [[tragedy of Summerhall]] resulted from the attempt of King [[Aegon V Targaryen]] to hatch dragon eggs.{{Ref|ASOS|25}}{{Ref|TWOIAF|The Targaryen Kings: Aegon V}} King [[Aerys II Targaryen]] attempted to hatch dragons from eggs found in the depths of Dragonstone, to no result.{{Ref|TWOIAF|The Targaryen Kings: Aerys II}} He may have believed [[wildfire plot|his attempt to immolate King's Landing]] would transform him into a dragon.{{Ref|ASOS|37}}

==Recent Events==
===''A Game of Thrones''===
During a dream while comatose, [[Bran Stark]] sees dragons stirring beneath the sunrise in [[Asshai]] by the [[Shadow Lands|Shadow]].{{Ref|AGOT|17}}

At [[Daenerys Targaryen]]'s wedding to [[Khal]] [[Drogo]], [[Magister]] [[Illyrio Mopatis]] gives her a gift of three fossilized [[dragon eggs]].{{Ref|AGOT|11}} When Drogo becomes deathly ill, Daenerys has the the ''[[maegi]]'' [[Mirri Maz Duur]] perform a ritual to save him, but it kills [[Rhaego|her unborn son]], and Mirri states that "only death may pay for life".{{Ref|AGOT|64}}{{Ref|AGOT|68}} After Drogo's death, Daenerys places the dragon eggs on her husband's funeral pyre, beside his body, and also has Mirri bound to the pyre. Drogo's pyre is lit when the first star, a fire [[red comet]], is seen in the sky. Once the entire pyre is afire, Daenerys walks into the flames. The next morning, when the flames have gone out and the ground has cooled down, Daenerys is found among the ashes, naked but unharmed, holding and nursing three living newly-hatched dragons—[[Drogon]], [[Rhaegal]], and [[Viserion]]. With Daenerys's exchange of life for life, the first three dragons alive since {{Date|153}} are born there in the [[Dothraki sea]].{{Ref|AGOT|72}}

===''A Clash of Kings''===
[[File:Raya Golden The Hatchlings' Feast.JPG|thumb|350px|[[Viserion]], [[Rhaegal]], and [[Drogon]] as hatchlings feeding upon a carcass, by Raya Golden © Fantasy Flight Games]]
In [[King's Landing]], [[Wisdom]] [[Hallyne]], a master [[pyromancer]] of the [[Alchemists' Guild]], tells [[Tyrion Lannister]] that their spells are more effective than usual, and wonders if there are any dragons around, as Wisdom [[Pollitor]] had once told him that [[magic]] had begun to go out of the world the day the [[last dragon]] died.{{Ref|ACOK|49}}

The [[warlocks]] of [[Qarth]] attempt to kill Daenerys and claim her dragons, but she survives and the [[House of the Undying]] is destroyed.{{Ref|ACOK|48}}

===''A Storm of Swords''===
During a [[small council]] meeting, [[Varys]] reports that sailors back from the [[Jade Sea]] report that a three-headed dragon has hatched in Qarth, and is the wonder of that city. Lord [[Tywin Lannister]] dismisses the report.{{Ref|ASOS|19}}

Daenerys uses her dragons to [[fall of Astapor|conquer Astapor]].{{Ref|ASOS|27}} 

The [[red priest]]ess [[Melisandre]] wishes to wake dragons from stone by sacrificing [[Edric Storm]],{{Ref|ASOS|25}} but [[Stannis Baratheon]] will not let her,{{Ref|ASOS|36}}{{Ref|ASOS|54}} and eventually [[Davos Seaworth]] prevents it entirely by smuggling Edric away.{{Ref|ASOS|63}}

===''A Feast for Crows''===
In [[Oldtown]], [[Armen]] says he has heard rumors of dragons in Asshai, Qarth, and [[siege of Meereen|Meereen]], as well as rumors of dragons [[Targaryen campaign in Slaver's Bay|freeing slaves]].{{Ref|AFFC|Prologue}}

The [[small council]] of Queen Regent [[Cersei Lannister]] discounts rumors of dragons from [[Essos]].{{Ref|AFFC|17}}

Maester [[Aemon Targaryen (son of Maekar I)|Aemon]] discusses dragons with [[Samwell Tarly]].{{Ref|AFFC|35}}

===''A Dance with Dragons''===
[[File:Drogon in Daznak's Pit.jpg|thumb|350px|[[Daenerys Targaryen]] and [[Drogon]] in [[Daznak's Pit]], by Marc Simonetti ©]]
Daenerys encloses Rhaegal and Viserion within the [[Dragon pit (Great Pyramid)|dragon pit]] of Meereen's [[Great Pyramid]] after the death of [[Hazzea]], although [[Drogon]] remains free.{{Ref|ADWD|11}} Drogon later causes chaos at [[Daznak's Pit]],{{Ref|ADWD|52}} and Daenerys flies on his back to the Dothraki sea.{{Ref|ADWD|71}}

Rhaegal and Viserion are freed from the Great Pyramid during [[Quentyn Martell]]'s ill-fated attempt to tame a dragon.{{Ref|ADWD|68}}{{Ref|ADWD|70}}
[[File:No image.svg|left|80px|link=|alt=]]
{{clear|left}}
==Known Dragons==
{| class=wikitable width=100%
! width=150px|Dragon
! width=150px|Riders
! width=450px|Notes
! width=250px|Died
|-
| rowspan="1"| [[Arrax]]
| Prince [[Lucerys Velaryon]]
| Born during the reign of King [[Viserys I Targaryen]], between {{Date|115}} and {{Date|120}}, after an egg was placed in the cradle of Prince Lucerys.{{Ref|FAB|Heirs of the Dragon - A Question of Succession}}
| Killed with its rider in {{Date|129}} above [[Shipbreaker Bay]] by [[Vhagar]].{{Ref|FAB|The Dying of the Dragons - A Son for a Son}}
|-
| rowspan="4"| [[Balerion]]<br>''the Black Dread''
| King [[Aegon I Targaryen]]
| rowspan="4"|Born before [[House Targaryen]] moved from [[Valyria]] to [[Dragonstone]] in {{Date|-114}}.{{Ref|FAB|Aegon's Conquest}}
| rowspan="4"| Died in {{Date|94}}, of old age.{{Ref|TWOIAF|The Targaryen Kings: Jaehaerys I}}{{Ref|FAB|Heirs of the Dragon - A Question of Succession}}
|-
| King [[Maegor I Targaryen]]
|-
| Princess [[Aerea Targaryen]]
|-
| Prince [[Viserys I Targaryen|Viserys Targaryen]]
|- 
| rowspan="1"| The [[Cannibal (dragon)|Cannibal]]
| None
| A wild dragon, never ridden. Got his name from his habit of eating young dragons and hatchlings. {{Ref|FAB|The Dying of the Dragons - The Blacks and the Greens}}
| Date of death unknown (vanished after the end of the [[Dance of the Dragons]]).{{Ref|TWOIAF|The Targaryen Kings: Aegon II}}
|- style="height:24px;"
| rowspan="2"| [[Caraxes]]<br>''the Blood Wyrm''
| Prince [[Aemon Targaryen (son of Jaehaerys I)|Aemon Targaryen]]
| Claimed by Aemon from {{Date|72}} to {{Date|92}} 
| rowspan="2"| Killed with its rider [[Battle Above the Gods Eye|in battle]] by [[Vhagar]] above the [[Gods Eye]] in {{Date|130}}.{{Ref|FAB|The Dying of the Dragons - Rhaenyra Triumphant}}
|-
| Prince [[Daemon Targaryen]]
| 
|- style="height:24px;"
| rowspan="2"| [[Dreamfyre]]
| Princess [[Rhaena Targaryen (daughter of Aenys I)|Rhaena Targaryen]]
| Claimed by Rhaena from {{Date|32}} to {{Date|73}}
| rowspan="2"| Died in {{Date|130}} in the [[Storming of the Dragonpit]].{{Ref|FAB|The Dying of the Dragons - Rhaenyra Overthrown}}
|-
| Queen [[Helaena Targaryen]]
| Claimed by Helaena from before {{Date|120}} to {{Date|130}}
|- 
| rowspan="1"| [[Drogon]]
| Queen [[Daenerys Targaryen]]
| Hatched from an egg by [[Daenerys Targaryen]], who placed Drogon's egg on the funeral pyre of her husband, Khal [[Drogo]],{{Ref|AGOT|72}} whom Drogon is named after.{{Ref|ACOK|12}} Mounted by Daenerys for the first time in {{Date|300}}.{{Ref|ADWD|52}}
| [''Alive'']
|-
| rowspan="1"| [[Grey Ghost]]
| None
| A wild dragon, never ridden. Caught his own food (fish, etc) at sea.
| Died in {{Date|130}} when attacked by [[Sunfyre]].{{Ref|FAB|The Dying of the Dragons - Rhaenyra Overthrown}}
|-
| rowspan="2"| [[Meleys]]<br>''the Red Queen''
| Princess [[Alyssa Targaryen]]
| Claimed by Alyssa from {{Date|75}} until {{Date|84}}
| rowspan="2"| Dragon and rider died in {{Date|129}}, during the [[battle at Rook's Rest]].{{Ref|FAB|The Dying of the Dragons - The Red Dragon and the Gold}}
|-
| Princess [[Rhaenys Targaryen (daughter of Aemon)|Rhaenys Targaryen]]
| Claimed by Rhaenys from {{Date|87}} until {{Date|129}}
|- 
| rowspan="1"| [[Meraxes]]
| Queen [[Rhaenys Targaryen]]
| Born on [[Dragonstone (island)|Dragonstone]] between {{Date|-114}} and [[Aegon's Conquest]].{{Ref|FAB|Aegon's Conquest}}
| Died at the [[Hellholt]] in [[Dorne]] in {{Date|10}} during the [[First Dornish War]].{{Ref|FAB|Reign of the Dragon - The Wars of King Aegon I}}{{Ref|TWOIAF|Dorne: Dorne Against the Dragons}}
|- 
| rowspan="1"| [[Moondancer]]
| Lady [[Baela Targaryen]]
| Claimed by Baela before {{Date|129}} until {{Date|130}}
| Died in {{Date|130}}, during the [[Dance of the Dragons]].{{Ref|FAB|The Dying of the Dragons - Rhaenyra Overthrown}}
|- 
| rowspan="1"| [[Morghul]]
| Princess [[Jaehaera Targaryen]]
| Born during the reign of King [[Viserys I Targaryen]], after an egg was placed in the cradle of Princess Jaehaera.{{Ref|FAB|The Dying of the Dragons - Rhaenyra Triumphant}}
| Died during the [[Storming of the Dragonpit]] in {{Date|130}}.{{Ref|FAB|The Dying of the Dragons - Rhaenyra Overthrown}}
|- 
| rowspan="1"| [[Morning]]
| Lady [[Rhaena Targaryen (daughter of Daemon)|Rhaena Targaryen]]
| Born during the [[Dance of the Dragons]].{{Ref|TWOIAF|The Targaryen Kings: Aegon II}}
| Died by the year {{Date|153}}.{{Ref|TWOIAF|The Targaryen Kings: Aegon III}}
|- 
| rowspan="2"| [[Quicksilver]]
| King [[Aenys I Targaryen]]
| Claimed by Aenys from {{Date|7}} until {{Date|42}}
| rowspan="2"| Dragon and rider were killed in {{Date|43}} by [[Balerion]] in the [[Battle Beneath the Gods Eye]].{{Ref|TWOIAF|The Targaryen Kings: Maegor I}}
|-
| Prince [[Aegon Targaryen (son of Aenys I)|Aegon Targaryen]]
| Claimed by Aegon from {{Date|43}} until his death later that year
|-
| rowspan="1"| [[Rhaegal]]
| None
| Hatched from an egg by [[Daenerys Targaryen]], who placed Rhaegal's egg on the funeral pyre of her husband, Khal [[Drogo]].{{Ref|AGOT|72}} Daenerys named Rhaegal after her oldest brother, [[Rhaegar Targaryen]].{{Ref|ACOK|12}}
| [''Alive'']
|-
| rowspan="2"| [[Seasmoke]]
| Ser [[Laenor Velaryon]]
| Claimed by Laenor from before {{Date|101}} until {{Date|120}}
| rowspan="2"| Died during the [[Second Battle of Tumbleton]] in {{Date|130}}.{{Ref|FAB|The Dying of the Dragons - Rhaenyra Overthrown}}
|-
| [[Addam Velaryon]]
| Claimed by Addam from {{Date|129}} until {{Date|130}}
|-
| rowspan="1"| [[Sheepstealer]]
| Nettles
| A wild dragon, claimed in {{Date|129}} during the [[Dance of the Dragons]].{{Ref|FAB|The Dying of the Dragons - The Red Dragon and the Gold}}
| Date of death unknown (vanished into the [[Mountains of the Moon]]).{{Ref|FAB|The Lysene Spring and the End of Regency}}
|-
| rowspan="1"| [[Shrykos]]
| Prince [[Jaehaerys Targaryen (son of Aegon II)|Jaehaerys Targaryen]]
| Born from an egg placed in the cradle of Prince Jaehaerys Targaryen during the reign of King [[Viserys I Targaryen]].{{Ref|FAB|The Dying of the Dragons - Rhaenyra Triumphant}}
| Died during the [[Storming of the Dragonpit]] in {{Date|130}}.{{Ref|FAB|The Dying of the Dragons - Rhaenyra Overthrown}}
|-
| rowspan="2"| [[Silverwing]]
| Queen [[Alysanne Targaryen]]
| Hatched from an egg placed in the cradle of Alysanne Targaryen. {{Ref|FAB|The Sons of the Dragon}} Claimed by Alysanne before {{Date|48}} until {{Date|100}}. Resided on Dragonstone after Alysanne's death. {{Ref|TWOIAF|The Targaryen Kings: Aegon II}}
| rowspan="2"| Died by the year {{Date|153}}.{{Ref|TWOIAF|The Targaryen Kings: Aegon III}}
|-
| [[Ulf the White]]
| Claimed by Ulf the White in {{date|129}}. Became wild after the death of her rider in {{Date|130}}, and made her lair in an island on [[Red Lake]].{{Ref|TWOIAF|The Targaryen Kings: Aegon II}}
|-
| rowspan="1"| [[Stormcloud]]
| Prince [[Aegon III Targaryen|Aegon "the Younger" Targaryen]]
| Born during the reign of King [[Viserys I Targaryen]], between {{Date|120}} and {{Date|129}}, after an egg was placed in the cradle of Prince Aegon. Claimed by Aegon in or before {{Date|129}}, but ridden only once, in {{Date|130}}.
| Died in {{Date|130}} an hour after its first flight, at the [[Battle of the Gullet]].{{Ref|FAB|The Dying of the Dragons - The Red Dragon and the Gold}}
|-
| rowspan="1"| [[Sunfyre]]<br>''the Golden''
| King [[Aegon II Targaryen]]
| Said to have been young between {{Date|120}} and {{Date|129}}.{{Ref|FAB|Heirs of the Dragon - A Question of Succession}}{{Ref|TWOIAF|The Targaryen Kings: Aegon II}}
| Died during the [[Dance of the Dragons]] in late {{Date|130}} at [[Dragonstone]].{{Ref|FAB|The Dying of the Dragons - The Short, Sad Reign of Aegon II}}
|-
| rowspan="1"| [[Syrax]]
| Queen [[Rhaenyra Targaryen]]{{Ref|ADWD|8}}
| Born during the reign of King [[Jaehaerys I Targaryen]], and named by Rhaenyra after a Valyrian goddess.{{Ref|FAB|Heirs of the Dragon - A Question of Succession}}
| Died during riots in King's Landing in {{Date|130}}.{{Ref|FAB|The Dying of the Dragons - Rhaenyra Overthrown}}
|-
| rowspan="1"| [[Terrax]]
| [[Jaenara Belaerys]]
| Lived in [[Valyria]] before the [[Doom of Valyria|Doom]]. Riding him, she spent three years exploring [[Sothoryos]].
| Date of death unknown.
|-
| rowspan="1"| [[Tessarion]]<br>''the Blue Queen''
| Prince [[Daeron Targaryen (son of Viserys I)|Daeron Targaryen]]
| Claimed before {{Date|120}} until {{Date|130}}
| Died during the [[Dance of the Dragons]], in {{Date|130}}.{{Ref|FAB|The Dying of the Dragons - Rhaenyra Overthrown}}
|-
| rowspan="1"| [[Tyraxes]]
| Prince [[Joffrey Velaryon]]
| Born during the reign of King [[Viserys I Targaryen]], between {{Date|117}} and {{Date|120}}, after an egg was placed in the cradle of Prince Joffrey.{{Ref|FAB|Heirs of the Dragon - A Question of Succession}}
| Died in {{Date|130}}, during riots in King’s Landing.{{Ref|FAB|The Dying of the Dragons - Rhaenyra Overthrown}}
|-
| rowspan="1"| [[Urrax]]
| Unknown
| According to legend, Urrax was slain by [[Serwyn of the Mirror Shield]], a legendary figure from the [[Age of Heroes]].{{Ref|TWOIAF|Ancient History: The Age of Heroes}} Singers claim he was a [[knight]] of the [[Kingsguard]],{{Ref|AGOT|8}} but the order of the Kingsguard was founded in {{Date|10}},{{Ref|TWOIAF|The Targaryen Kings: Aegon I}} thousands of years after the Age of Heroes and the arrival of the first knights in [[Westeros]].
| Uncertain chronology
|-
| rowspan="1"| [[Vermax]]
| Prince [[Jacaerys Velaryon]]
| Born during the reign of King [[Viserys I Targaryen]], between {{Date|114}} and {{Date|120}}, after an egg was placed in the cradle of Prince Jacaerys.{{Ref|FAB|Heirs of the Dragon - A Question of Succession}}
| Died in {{Date|130}}, in the Battle of the Gullet.{{Ref|FAB|The Dying of the Dragons - The Red Dragon and the Gold}}
|-
| rowspan="2"| [[Vermithor]]<br>''the Bronze Fury''
| King [[Jaehaerys I Targaryen]]
| Hatched from an egg placed in the cradle of Jaehaerys I Targaryen.{{Ref|FAB|The Sons of the Dragon}} Claimed by Jaehaerys before {{Date|48}} until {{Date|103}}. Resided on Dragonstone after Jaehaerys's death. 
| rowspan="2"| Died in {{Date|130}}, during the [[Dance of the Dragons]], at [[Second Tumbleton]].{{Ref|FAB|The Dying of the Dragons - Rhaenyra Overthrown}}
|-
| [[Hugh Hammer]]
| Claimed by Hugh Hammer in {{Date|129}} until {{Date|130}}
|- style="height:24px;"
| rowspan="4"| [[Vhagar]]
| Queen [[Visenya Targaryen]]
| Born in {{Date|-52}}. Ridden by Visenya Targaryen until her death in {{Date|44}}.{{Ref|TWOIAF|The Targaryen Kings: Maegor I}} Remained unridden for twenty-nine years.
| rowspan="4"|  Killed with its rider [[Battle Above the Gods Eye|in battle]] by [[Caraxes]] above the [[Gods Eye]] in {{Date|130}}.{{Ref|FAB|The Dying of the Dragons - Rhaenyra Triumphant}}
|-
| Prince [[Baelon Targaryen (son of Jaehaerys I)|Baelon the Brave]]
| In {{Date|73}} Baelon Targaryen claimed and rode her until his death in {{Date|101}}.{{Ref|FAB|The Long Reign - Jaehaerys and Alysanne: Policy, Progeny, and Pain}}
|-
| Lady [[Laena Velaryon]]
| Vhagar was eventually claimed by Laena Velaryon, who rode the dragon until her own death in {{Date|120}}.{{Ref|FAB|Heirs of the Dragon - A Question of Succession}}
|-
| Prince [[Aemond Targaryen]]
| Shortly afterwards, Vhagar was claimed by Prince Aemond Targaryen,{{Ref|FAB|Heirs of the Dragon - A Question of Succession}} and ridden by him.
|-
| rowspan="1"| [[Viserion]]
| None
| Hatched from an egg by [[Daenerys Targaryen]], who placed Viserion's egg on the funeral pyre of her husband, Khal [[Drogo]].{{Ref|AGOT|72}} Daenerys named Viserion after her brother [[Viserys Targaryen]].{{Ref|ACOK|12}}
| [''Alive'']
|-
| rowspan="1"| [[Aurion]]'s unnamed dragon
| [[Aurion]]
| In the aftermath of the [[Doom of Valyria]], the dragonlord Aurion flew atop his dragon with an army to the destroyed [[Valyrian peninsula]] to try to reestablish the [[Valyrian Freehold|Freehold]]. They were never seen again.{{Ref|TWOIAF|Ancient History: The Doom of Valyria}}
| Died in {{Date|-102}} or shortly after, in the [[Valyrian peninsula]].{{Ref|TWOIAF|Ancient History: The Doom of Valyria}}
|-
| rowspan="1"| [[Dragon that died in the Red Waste]]
| Unknown
| The [[Dragonbone|skeleton]] of an immense dragon is found by [[Daenerys Targaryen]] lying in the sands of the [[red waste]] south of [[Vaes Tolorro]]. Whether it was wild or had been ridden is not known.{{Ref|ACOK|12}}
| Unknown
|-
| rowspan="1"| The [[last dragon]]
| None
| Born and died during the reign of King [[Aegon III Targaryen]]. Was once seen by Ser [[Arlan of Pennytree]] when he was still a boy; it was small and stunted, with withered wings.{{Ref|THK}}
| Died in {{Date|153}}.{{Ref|TWOIAF|The Targaryen Kings: Aegon III}}
|}

[[File:No image.svg|left|100px|link=|alt=]]
[[File:Dragon Eggs HBO.jpg|350px|thumb|right|Dragon eggs in ''[[Game of Thrones]]'']]
{{clear|left}}
==Known dragon eggs==
{{Main|Dragon egg}}
*"''wu''" means "whereabouts unknown, not known if hatched"
{| class=wikitable width=100%
!Owner
!style="width: 11em;"|Hatched into
!style="width: 16em;"|Color
!Notes
|-
|[[House Targaryen]]
|''wu''
|[''three eggs'']
|Were stolen from the [[Dragonstone]] hatcheries by [[Elissa Farman]] in {{Date|54}}, and sold to the [[Sealord of Braavos]].{{Ref|FAB|Birth, Death, and Betrayal Under King Jaehaerys I}}
|-
|[[Mysaria]]
|''wu''
|
|When Prince [[Daemon Targaryen]] learned his concubine was pregnant, he presented her with a dragon egg, but King [[Viserys I Targaryen]] commanded him to return the egg and send Mysaria away.{{Ref|FAB|Heirs of the Dragon - A Question of Succession}}
|-
|[[Jacaerys Velaryon]]
|[[Vermax]]
|
|placed in his cradle at his birth by royal decree{{Ref|TWOIAF|The Targaryen Kings: Viserys I}}
|-
|[[Lucerys Velaryon]]
|[[Arrax]]
|
|placed in his cradle at his birth by royal decree.{{Ref|TWOIAF|The Targaryen Kings: Viserys I}}
|-
|[[Joffrey Velaryon]]
|[[Tyraxes]]
|
|placed in his cradle at his birth by royal decree.{{Ref|TWOIAF|The Targaryen Kings: Viserys I}}
|-
|[[Viserys II Targaryen]]
|''wu''
|
|he possessed an egg during the [[Dance of the Dragons]], so far undescribed – whereabouts unknown.{{Ref|FAB|The Dying of the Dragons - The Red Dragon and the Gold}}
|-
|rowspan="4"|[[Rhaena Targaryen (daughter of Daemon)|Rhaena Targaryen]]
[''4 eggs'']
|(''died soon afterwards'')
|
|A broken thing that died within hours. She possessed another egg at the start of the civil war.
|-
|[[Morning]]
|
|Taken to the [[Vale]] with her during the war
|-
|''wu''
|
|Taken to the [[Vale]] with her during the war, did not hatch
|-
|''wu''
|
|Taken to the [[Vale]] with her during the war, did not hatch
|-
|[[Maelor Targaryen]]
|''wu''
|pale green with swirls of silver{{Ref|FAB|The Dying of the Dragons - Rhaenyra Triumphant}}
|he was given an egg at birth,{{Ref|FAB|Heirs of the Dragon - A Question of Succession}} which had not yet hatched by the start of the civil war.{{Ref|FAB|The Dying of the Dragons - The Blacks and the Greens}} After Maelor was killed at [[Bitterbridge]],{{Ref|TWOIAF|The Targaryen Kings: Aegon II}} his egg was sent to Lord [[Ormund Hightower]] at [[Longtable]].{{Ref|FAB|The Dying of the Dragons - Rhaenyra Triumphant}}
|-
|[[Aegon II Targaryen]]
|''wu''
|purple and gold{{Ref|FAB|The Dying of the Dragons - The Short, Sad Reign of Aegon II}}
|seeking a replacement for the dead [[Sunfyre]], Aegon choose a new egg in the hopes of hatching a new dragon for himself.{{Ref|FAB|The Dying of the Dragons - The Short, Sad Reign of Aegon II}}
|-
|[[Laena Velaryon (daughter of Alyn)|Laena Velaryon]]
|Unnamed blind and wingless white [[wyrm]]
|undescribed
|It hatched in {{Date|135}} and tore a bloody chunk from young Laena's arm. Her father, Lord [[Alyn Velaryon]], hacked it to pieces.{{Ref|FAB|The Lysene Spring and the End of Regency}}
|-
|[''5 eggs'']
|''wu''
|
|from the [[last dragon]]'s clutch,{{Ref|TMK}} so far undescribed
|-
|[[Elaena Targaryen]]
|''wu''
|[[platinum]] white and bright golden<ref>[[So Spake Martin]]: [https://www.westeros.org/Citadel/SSM/Entry/1605 Three Maidens in the Tower] (June 27, 2006)</ref>
|
|-
|[[Daeron Targaryen (son of Maekar I)|Daeron Targaryen]]
|''wu''
|
|known to exist,{{Ref|TMK}} but so far undescribed
|-
|[[Aerion Targaryen]]
|''wu''
|gold and silver, with veins of fiery colors{{Ref|TMK}}
|
|-
|[[Aemon Targaryen (son of Maekar I)|Aemon Targaryen]]
|''wu''
|
|known to exist,{{Ref|TMK}} but so far undescribed
|-
|[[Aegon V Targaryen]]
|''wu''
|white and green swirls{{Ref|TMK}}
|
|-
|[[Ambrose Butterwell]]
|''wu''
|red, with golden flecks and black whorls{{Ref|TMK}}
|
|-
|[''7 eggs'']
|''wu''
|
|used by King [[Aegon V Targaryen]] in the ceremony that caused the [[tragedy at Summerhall]].{{Ref|TWOIAF|The Targaryen Kings: Aegon V}} Some of these may have been the unhatched eggs mentioned above. Whereabouts unknown, but possibly destroyed by the fire.
|-
|[[Euron Greyjoy]]
|''wu''
|
|Euron claims he had a dragon egg, but threw it into the sea.{{Ref|AFFC|29}} 
|-
|rowspan="3"|[[Illyrio Mopatis]]<br>[[Daenerys Targaryen]]
|[[Drogon]]
|black as the midnight sea, alive with scarlet ripples and swirls.{{Ref|AGOT|11}}
|rowspan="3"|Acquired by Illyrio, allegedly from [[Asshai]], and gifted to Daenerys for her wedding to ''[[Khal]]'' [[Drogo]].{{Ref|AGOT|11}}<br>(''May or may not be the three that were stolen from the Dragonstone hatcheries by Elissa Farman in 54 AC and sold in Essos.'') {{See also|Dragon egg/Theories}}
|-
|[[Rhaegal]]
|deep green, with burnished bronze flecks.{{Ref|AGOT|11}}
|-
|[[Viserion]]
|colored pale cream, streaked with gold.{{Ref|AGOT|11}}
|}

==Books and scrolls about dragons==
[[File:Daenerys and dragon HBO.jpg|thumb|350px|[[Daenerys Targaryen]] and [[Drogon]] in ''[[Game of Thrones]]'']]
*''[[Blood and Fire]]'' by an anonymous author
*''[[Dragons, Wyrms, and Wyverns: Their Unnatural History ]]'' by Septon [[Barth]]
*''[[The Death of Dragons]]'' by Maester [[Thomax]]
*''[[Truth (book)|Truth]]'' by Maester [[Anson]] 
*''[[Against the Unnatural]]'' by Maester [[Vanyon]]
*''[[The Dance of the Dragons, A True Telling]]'' by Grand Maester [[Munkun]] 
*''[[Dragonkin, Being a History of House Targaryen from Exile to Apotheosis, with a Consideration of the Life and Death of Dragons|Dragonkin]]'' by Maester [[Thomax]]
*[[Tyrion Lannister's dragonlore|unnamed dragonlore]] by [[Tyrion Lannister]]

==Quotes==
{{Quote|Who can know the heart of a dragon?{{Ref|FAB|The Dying of the Dragons - Rhaenyra Overthrown}}|writings of [[Gyldayn]]}}

[[File:MKomarck DaenerysTheUnburnt.jpg|thumb|350px‎|[[Daenerys Targaryen]], the Unburnt, by Michael Komarck ©]]
{{Quote|For the first time in hundreds of years, the night came alive with the music of dragons.{{Ref|AGOT|72}}|thoughts of [[Daenerys Targaryen]]}}

{{Quote|Dragons are fire made flesh, and fire is power.{{Ref|ACOK|27}}|[[Quaithe]] to [[Daenerys Targaryen]]}}

{{Quote|The [[last dragon]] in [[Westeros]] was the last dragon. That is well known.{{Ref|AFFC|Prologue}}|[[Armen]] to [[Alleras]]}}

{{Quote|The grief and glory of [[House Targaryen|my house]].{{Ref|AFFC|26}}|[[Aemon Targaryen (son of Maekar I)|Aemon Targaryen]] to [[Samwell Tarly]]}}

{{Quote|Once a man has seen a dragon in flight, let him stay at home and tend his garden in content, someone had written once, for [[known world|this wide world]] has no greater wonder.{{Ref|ADWD|14}}|thoughts of [[Tyrion Lannister]]}}

{{Quote|All I know of dragons is what [[Viserys Targaryen|my brother]] told me when I was a girl, and some I read in books, but it is said that even [[Aegon I Targaryen|Aegon the Conqueror]] never dared mount [[Vhagar]] or [[Meraxes]], nor did his sisters mount [[Balerion|Balerion the Black Dread]]. Dragons live longer than men, some for hundreds of years, so Balerion had other riders after Aegon died ... but no rider ever flew two dragons.{{Ref|ADWD|50}}|[[Daenerys Targaryen]] to [[Quentyn Martell]]}}

{{Quote|We shall not pretend to any understanding of the bond between dragon and [[dragonrider]]; wiser heads have pondered that mystery for centuries. We do know however, that dragons are not [[horse]]s, to be ridden by any man who throws a saddle on their back.{{Ref|FAB|The Dying of the Dragons - Rhaenyra Overthrown}}|writings of [[Gyldayn]]}}

{{Quote|Death comes out of a dragon's mouth, but death does not go in that way.{{Ref|ADWD|66}}|writings of [[Barth]]}}

{{Quote|It is no easy thing for a man to be a [[dragonslayer]]. But dragons can kill dragons, and have. Any [[maester]] who has ever studied the history of [[Valyria]] can tell you that.{{Ref|FAB|The Dying of the Dragons - The Blacks and the Greens}}|[[Daemon Targaryen]]}}

{{Quote|There are no more dragons known to exist... but this is a medieval period, and large parts of [[known world|the world]] are still ''terra incognita'', so there are always tales of dragon sightings in far off mysterious places. The [[maesters]] tend to discount those.<ref name=Dragons/>|[[George R. R. Martin]]}}

==Behind the Scenes==
The writer [[w:Phyllis Eisenstein|Phyllis Eisenstein]] convinced [[George R. R. Martin]] to add dragons to ''[[A Game of Thrones]]''.<ref>Rolling Stone: [https://www.rollingstone.com/culture/culture-news/george-r-r-martin-the-rolling-stone-interview-242487/ George R.R. Martin: The Rolling Stone Interview] (April 23, 2014)</ref> Martin dedicated ''[[A Storm of Swords]]'' to Eisenstein.

==External links==
* [[w:Dragon|Dragon]] - Wikipedia article on the real-world mythological creature.

==References==
{{References}}

{{Dragons}}
{{Creatures}}

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