What ‘Dracarys’ Means On Game Of Thrones And House Of The Dragon

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In the world of “Game of Thrones,” there are numerous unusual and violent ways to meet your end. For instance, you could face public beheading at the hands of an immature monarch, as happened to Ned Stark (played by Sean Bean) in the show’s first season. Alternatively, you might endure torture and death at the hands of your enemies, become food for your own starving hounds like Ramsay Bolton did in Season 6, or suffer a gruesome fate such as Oberyn Martell’s explosive head injury caused by a powerful soldier in season 4. However, one method that occurs more frequently than you might think is burning alive, typically reserved for those associated with the ancient and eccentric Targaryen royal family.

In the series “Game of Thrones,” Daenerys Targaryen stands out as a significant member of the family. She’s one of the last remaining members with ambitions to seize the Iron Throne for herself (Emilia Clarke portrays her in the show). A multitude of Targaryens, along with their dragons, are introduced in the first major spin-off and prequel titled “House of the Dragon.” However, Daenerys serves as the face of House Targaryen until it’s revealed that Jon Snow (Kit Harington), her new love interest, is a legitimate heir to the Targaryen lineage and Daenerys’ nephew. The show might seem unusual for those unacquainted with it. Daenerys and her kin are known for using their dragons to incinerate people; Daenerys herself has three dragons (Rhaegal, Viserion, and the largest, Drogon) to aid in her endeavor.

To ignite a dragon’s fiery breath, I, as a devoted fan, must mimic the Targaryens by speaking an old command in High Valyrian: “Dracarys.” This is the signal for these colossal fire-breathing creatures to perform their signature act – essentially roasting whoever my dragon companion has chosen. Interestingly, the Targaryens we witness on screen frequently employ this command (in one of the two series, that is).

Daenerys and other Targaryens use Dracarys as a weapon throughout Game of Thrones and House of the Dragon

In actuality, “Dracaryz” isn’t commonly used across “House of the Dragon”, yet the Targaryens on that series certainly aren’t shy about igniting people. Instead, you primarily hear this command in “Game of Thrones” and it’s always spoken by Daenerys.

In the initial season of “Game of Thrones,” Daenerys is forcibly wed to Khal Drogo, a powerful Dothraki warlord (played by Jason Momoa), by her treacherous brother Viserys (Harry Lloyd). Viserys intends to utilize Drogo’s vast Dothraki army to seize the Iron Throne for himself. However, he soon angers Drogo, who ends up killing him, leaving Daenerys as the last Targaryen alive and in possession of three eggs said to contain sleeping dragons. After Khal Drogo’s demise at the end of Season 1, Daenerys steps into his funeral pyre with the eggs. When daybreak arrives, she emerges from the flames naked, accompanied by three newly hatched baby dragons.

The pivotal instance where Daenerys utilizes the command “Dracarys” for the first time occurs towards the end of Season 2. This takes place as Daenerys ventures into the House of the Undying in Qarth to free her dragons from their enchanting captor. Due to their small size, they can’t produce a lot of fire, but it’s sufficient to annihilate the sorcerer who imprisoned them, Pyat Pree (Ian Hanmore). However, the scene that stands out most is found in Season 3’s “And Now His Watch is Ended.” This episode showcases Daenerys in Astapor where she negotiates with the wicked slave master Kraznys mo Nakloz (Dan Hildebrand). In a clever ruse, Daenerys offers to trade her largest dragon, Drogon, for Kraznys’ army of faithful Unsullied soldiers. Cocky Kraznys had been taunting Daenerys in High Valyrian, thinking she couldn’t comprehend him. He’s left stunned when she informs him that the dragon won’t obey him because she speaks his language; after instructing her new Unsullied army to eliminate any slave masters they encounter, she uses “Dracarys” against Kraznys, and Drogon reduces him to ashes.

It’s clear that Daenerys often resorts to using “Dracarys” in difficult situations, a pattern you might notice throughout the show. However, as the story unfolds, her habit of torching her adversaries becomes problematic for her allies… ultimately contributing to her demise.

At the end of Game of Thrones, Daenerys’ final big use of Dracarys leads to her downfall

Towards the end of “Game of Thrones”, Daenerys seems to be using her command “Dracarys” a bit too carelessly, to put it mildly. In the fifth episode of Season 7, when Daenerys encounters Randyll Tarly (James Faulkner) and his son Dickon Tarly (Tom Hopper), who had been siding with House Lannister in battle, she defeats them but their refusal to acknowledge her as their queen and remain loyal to the Lannisters leads to an uncomfortable situation. When they persist in their loyalty, Daenerys responds by having Drogon burn both Randyll and Dickon alive; this creates tension when she later meets Samwell Tarly, who is a close friend and confidante of Jon and also happens to be the brother of the now deceased Dickon.

In the last season of “Game of Thrones,” Daenerys Targaryen (Emilia Clarke) executes her advisor Varys (Conleth Hill), employing Drogon’s firepower, as she learns he had been conspiring against her. This action greatly unnerves Varys’ longtime friend and ally Tyrion Lannister (Peter Dinklage). Matters escalate dramatically in the second-to-last episode titled “The Bells.” Facing King’s Landing and its vast forces by herself while flying with Drogon, Daenerys hears the city’s bells signaling surrender. Overwhelmed by her family’s madness, she indiscriminately torches significant parts of the capital, resulting in the death of countless innocent people. Although she defeats her adversaries, including Queen Cersei Lannister (Lena Headey), Daenerys’ allies Tyrion and Jon Snow are deeply troubled by her ruthless actions. Eventually, Jon kills Daenerys for the sake of the realm after coming to the realization that she won’t cease her destructive behavior even with power over the Seven Kingdoms.

In other words, young ones, “Dracarys” isn’t something to be used carelessly, like Daenerys did when she found herself in tricky situations during her time on “Game of Thrones.” Remember, it carries great power and should be used thoughtfully. You can catch the entire series, as well as “House of the Dragon,” on HBO Max right now.

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2025-06-21 13:30