Jon Snow and the Prince that was Promised

The season finale of the medieval fantasy TV series, Game of Thrones, just dropped an epic twist that fans have speculated since the publication of "A Game of Thrones" by George R R Martin. The show just confirmed the theory that Jon Snow is indeed the son of Rhaegar Targaryen and Lyanna Stark. The reveal not only changes Jon's legitimacy to the throne, but also the fate of the realm. What does this confirmation have to do with everything that's going on and how will it affect the "great game"? 


Winter has finally come to the Seven Kingdoms, and the the long night is brewing beyond the wall as the Night's King assembles his army of the dead. A prophecy tells that a prince will be born to fight the Night's King and save Westeros. The signs of his\her coming are:

1. S/he was born beneath a bleeding star,
2. S/he was born amidst salt,
3. S/he was born amidst smoke,
4. S/he* has the blood of the dragon.


*The prophecy is told in High Valyrian which is genderless when it comes to common nouns.

Also note that the prophecy of Azor Ahai is different from the prophecy of The Prince that was Promised. Although, many believe (example: Melisandre) that the two are same person.


The first contender for being the Prince that was Promised was Daenerys Targaryen. At the season one finale of Game of Thrones, we have seen her rebirth after she had hatched her dragons. A red comet streaked above the sky was shown, signifying that she was born under a bleeding star. The whole burning ceremony was done at the shore, signifying that she was born amidst salt and smoke. She is also a Targaryen, which means dragon's blood flows through her veins. Dany is a good contender that she was The One that was Promised.


The Tower of Joy sequence shown at the season 6 gave another contender to be the One that was Promised, which is none other than the bastard king of the North, Jon Snow.


(It is important to note that these are just my interpretations of the scene.)


1. Born under a bleeding star


The third episode of the sixth season, entitled "Oathbreaker," showed that while Jon is being born, he is UNDER the protection of Ser Arthur Dayne. Arthur was killed by Ned using his own sword Dawn. House Dayne has a shooting star as they're sigil. There you go, Jon was born under a bleeding star.


Another interpretation would be that Ned put Dawn at the foot of the bed in a position that makes the womb of Lyanna and the newly born Jon under the sword. We know that Dawn is a sword made from a shooting star, and the sword is well bloodied by Arthur Dayne. Born under a bleeding star.


2. Born amidst salt


While Lyanna says her final wish to Ned that she want safety for her son, we see her crying a lot. Maybe it's her impending death, or she is crying because of the fate of Rhaegar. One way or another, Lyanna's tears signifies that Jon is born amidst salt.


3. Born amidst smoke


This is the trickiest part. The way I figured this one is I remembered the scene with Dany being reborn in a backdrop of smoke after all the fire was extinguished. Targaryens are known to have dragon's blood, which means they signfy fire. Smoke is the only thing left when a fire has been put out. I think the smoke part of the prophecy symbolizes the death of Rhaegar or the end of the Targaryen Dynasty. Jon is born amidst smoke.


4. Has the blood of the dragon


Jon is confirmed to be the son of Rhaegar Targaryen, which means, like Dany, he has the blood of the dragon.


There you go; Jon also fits the qualification to be the prince that was promised. There is a possibility that Jon is would fight off Dany and the left survivor would be the one to save Westeros from the dead. Or maybe there are two people, not just one, who will save Westeros. Or there is also a possibility that there would be three, for there are three dragons, to fight the Night's King. Nobody really knows what will happen. That's the good thing about the show; everything is so unpredictable and no one of the audience knows how the show will end.


But one thing is sure to happen. The whole right to the throne doesn't matter anymore. Game of Thrones is now in a place where politics will not dictate who will be the knew king or queen of the realm. Because now that winter has finally come, the person who will save Westeros from the long knight are entitled to sit on the Iron Throne and win the great game.



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