House of the Dragon Season 3: A Controversial Opening Credits Mistake
As the fantasy series ushers in a darker chapter, House of the Dragon season 3 introduces a new opening credits sequence. However, fans have noticed an apparent mistake in the tapestry featured in the sequence.
The Controversial Sigil
Near the end of the opening credits (around the 1:31 mark on YouTube), the tapestry depicts a four-legged, three-headed black dragon against a red background. This is meant to represent the Targaryen sigil, a symbol deeply rooted in George R.R. Martin's books and the original Game of Thrones series. However, according to Martin's works, the dragon on the sigil has only two legs, not four—a detail the author has addressed numerous times.
"George R.R. Martin has already said a thousand times that the dragons in his universe have only two legs," one fan commented on Twitter. Another fan chimed in, "Absolute ragebait, this is incredible." A screenshot of the sigil has been widely shared online.
Why Does the Number of Legs Matter?
You may wonder why it is significant that the dragon on the sigil has two legs instead of four. The three-headed dragon symbolizes Aegon the Conqueror and his two sister-queens, Visenya and Rhaenys, who united the Seven Kingdoms. As for the legs, fewer limbs provide better balance and stability, which are crucial for flight.
George R.R. Martin's Stance
Martin has previously expressed his frustration with the incorrect depiction of the sigil. Following the release of House of the Dragon season 2, he addressed the issue on his blog, stating, "In my books, the Targaryen sigil has two legs, as it should. Why would any Westerosi ever put four legs on a dragon, when they could look at the real thing and count their limbs?"
He also noted that Game of Thrones initially got the sigil right, saying, "The show got it correct for the first four seasons and most of the fifth." However, he lamented, "Someone got sloppy, I guess. Or someone opened a book on heraldry and read just enough of it to muck it all up."
Despite Martin's objections, the incorrect sigil persists in House of the Dragon, possibly for the sake of consistency with Game of Thrones. Martin, however, remains displeased, stating, "Those damned extra legs have even wormed their way onto the covers of my books, over my strenuous objections."
The Living Dragons Get It Right
Thankfully, not all depictions are inaccurate. The living dragons in House of the Dragon do have the correct number of legs, aligning with Martin's original vision.
Where to Watch and What's Next
House of the Dragon season 3 continues to air weekly on HBO in the US and on HBO Max and Sky in the UK. For exact timings, see our House of the Dragon season 3 release schedule. For more, check out our spoiler-free House of the Dragon season 3 review and guide to upcoming Game of Thrones movies and TV shows.
