Summary

Dragons soaring high and proud in Season 2 of
House of the Dragon
evoke the same majesty that captivated fans years ago.
The all-out royal rumble for the Iron Throne in the prequel show mirrors
Game of Thrones
‘ appeal despite unfamiliar characters.
The symbolic appearance of the White Hart stag hints at the true heir of Viserys, adding a layer of mystery to the ongoing battle.

13 years from the first episode of the original show, the distant flapping of enormous scaly wings and the size of marquee tents still get the fans’ blood pumping just as much. Those unmistakable sounds usually precede the unnatural screeches before a dragon fills the screen, and the full spectacle of just how majestic these monstrous creatures are becomes apparent once more. Season 2 of HBO’s House of the Dragon didn’t waste much time reminding everyone where the show gets its name from, as the first episode is barely five minutes in when we get our first glimpse of a dragon soaring high and proud.

Dragons were often the reason why so many millions of fans around the world were so enamored by the show’s forerunner, Game of Thrones. Though set centuries before it and filled with characters that many lovers of George R.R. Martin’s epic stories may not be that familiar with, the prequel show thankfully seems to be headed in the same overall direction – an all-out royal rumble of motley characters ready to brutally tussle it out for the right to sit the Iron Throne.

While Season 2 already seems set to take us on another gritty journey through many more riotous battles, the main contenders’ true fate remains shadowy at best. While the books do tell us how many of their stories will eventually end, along the way, the show’s finer details, for now, are still a mystery. However, back in the third episode of Season 1, we had a major clue about whom the producers felt was the favorite to ascend the throne. Here’s why the white hart stag from that episode might be more significant than we ever thought.

The White Hart Stag in House of the Dragon

By the third episode of the first season of House of the Dragon, Viserys was still very much alive, though taking great strain as he was troubled by the weight of the crown he wore. Seemingly cornered by the opinions, motivations, and schemes of others, even during his toddler son’s name day, Viserys found more comfort in wine than he did in celebrating his son.

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Viserys spends most of the episode grappling with how to treat his children, who are half-siblings and rivals for the throne. On the one hand, the choice is to bend to the will of everyone who wants him to name the son he always wanted as his heir or stick with his promise to Rhaenyra that she would take his place. The choice wears heavy for him as the traditional hunt for his young son’s name day goes terribly. With a ton of foreshadowing over the significance of the so-called White Hart stag, the hunting party can only manage a normal deer for their prize.

However, we also see Rhaenyra and Ser Criston Cole bonding more as he saves her from a wild boar. However, later, we get a far more significant moment as it’s this pair to whom a beautiful White Hart stag does appear. Instinctively, Criston reaches for his weapon, but Rhaenyra stops him. The stag seems to almost acknowledge her wise hand and the fact that she shows it mercy, or perhaps she senses the symbolism of it all and knows what it all signifies. According to Under the Influence:

For those humans who encountered a white stag, there were often profound consequences, sometimes stimulating great spiritual changes within a person. Sometimes these encounters have been the trigger of great events leading to the creation of nations and kingdoms.

The Symbolism of the White Hart

The White Hart is a symbolic creature that is also significant in many of our folk tales. For one, it was Richard II’s personal badge, possibly meant as a play on his name – “Rich-hart.” However, the imagery of the white stag is also said to be a source of divine power in some branches of ancient Asian, European, and Celtic lore.

These intriguing facts seem to not have escaped the knowledge of the Game of Thrones universe since, in that world, it’s meant as an omen that only reveals itself to the true heir of a kingdom. The kind of imagery depicted when the stag shows up as a beautiful specimen draped in pitch white fur and conjuring a sense of purity is very reminiscent of images we know from other well-known fantasy stories.

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For instance, Harry Potter’s patronus is a stag representing his father, while Severus Snape’s patronus, modeled after Lily Potter, is a doe that appears white and almost divine when it guides Harry to the Sword of Gryffindor. In other worlds, Arceus, who also appears as a white stag, is the King of the Pokémon. In each instance, this mythical creature is given great prominence and often plays a part in representing power itself or foreshadowing one who will rise to prominence.

What Does the White Hart Stag Mean in House of the Dragon?

The fact that the White Hart’s appearance is clearly spelled out in Westeros already tells us its significance. If taken literally, even though it appeared a while back, it basically pointed out that no matter what direction the fight for the Iron Throne goes in, Rhaenyra is the true heir of Viserys. We know some facts about her from George R.R. Martin’s books, A Song of Ice and Fire, which is the title for the saga of stories on which the Game of Thrones show is based.

However, we will avoid those spoilers for those who haven’t read the books. Ultimately, even though Rhaenyra may be the rightful heir, that means very little in the world of Westeros. Audiences can follow along with the Dance of the Dragons as it continues to heat up in the latest season. House of the Dragon Season 2 is streaming now on Max.