The prophecy of the 'Prince That Was Promised' is one of the most mysterious topics in the world of A Song of Ice and Fire. It foretold the arrival of a great hero who would save the world from darkness. However, in Game of Thrones, this storyline was almost entirely ignored, leaving fans disappointed. Who could have been this hero, and why did the showrunners abandon this plot?
What Does the Prophecy Say?
The prophecy of the Prince That Was Promised dates back to ancient times. According to legend, he was supposed to be born 'amid salt and smoke', which could refer to either his birthplace or the circumstances of his birth. His arrival was also meant to be heralded by a 'bleeding star' (some believe this refers to the Red Comet seen in the series). His ultimate goal was to defeat the darkness, whether that meant the Long Night, the White Walkers, or some other unknown threat.
According to the prophecy, the prince was destined to wake dragons from stone and wield the flaming sword Lightbringer, capable of cutting through the darkness. However, there was a significant nuance: in the original Valyrian language, the word 'prince' is gender-neutral, meaning that the savior could just as well be a woman. This sparked intense debates among fans about which character truly fit the prophecy's criteria.
Who Could Have Been the Prince That Was Promised?
The most commonly suggested candidates for the role of the Prince That Was Promised were Jon Snow and Daenerys Targaryen. Jon Snow matched many of the prophecy’s signs: he was born amid blood (his mother Lyanna’s tears symbolizing salt), he was one of Westeros’s greatest warriors, and he played a crucial role in the battle against the White Walkers. However, in the series' finale, it was Arya Stark who killed the Night King, not Jon.
Daenerys Targaryen also fit the prophecy: she literally woke dragons from stone, was born during a storm, and possessed incredible power. In House of the Dragon, there were hints that she was the true Prince That Was Promised. However, her story ended tragically — Jon killed her, and the world was not exactly 'saved'.
Other Candidates for the Prince That Was Promised
Some fans considered other possibilities. Stannis Baratheon was Melisandre’s favored candidate for a long time, but he was quickly removed from the game in the series. Rhaegar Targaryen believed himself to be the prince, but he died long before the events of Game of Thrones. Arya Stark ultimately killed the Night King, but she was not a Targaryen and did not match the prophecy's requirements.
Why Did the Series Ignore the Prophecy?
The prophecy of the Prince That Was Promised was a significant part of the books, but in the series, it became irrelevant. After Season 5, the showrunners stopped relying on the original source material since George R.R. Martin had not yet finished his books. As a result, they chose a more grounded approach, removing mysticism and focusing on politics and intrigue.
Most likely, the show's creators felt that the prophecy was too complicated to explain to a mass audience. They avoided delving into esoteric details and opted for a more straightforward resolution — the White Walkers were defeated, but without deeper exploration of ancient myths. However, many fans were left disappointed that this storyline never played a significant role in the finale.
Conclusion
'The Prince That Was Promised' could have been one of the most important storylines in Game of Thrones, tying together the past, present, and future of Westeros. However, the writers chose to abandon it, leaving fans with no answers. Meanwhile, House of the Dragon is once again devoting significant screen time to the prophecy — but why? No one knows.
