Who is Azor Ahai?
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The Long Night in A Song of Ice and Fire was a period of darkness when winter lasted a generation, with Others destroying all living things. Melisandre predicts the return of the Long Night, mentioning a hero named Azor Ahai as the only hope.
Insights
- The Long Night in A Song of Ice and Fire was a dark era of destruction caused by the Others, and Melisandre predicts its return, believing Azor Ahai is the key to salvation.
- The identity of Azor Ahai, associated with the "prince that was promised," dragons, and the prophecy's specific requirements, leads to speculation that Jon Snow and Daenerys Targaryen are the most likely candidates, supported by compelling evidence and thematic significance in the narrative.
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Recent questions
Who is Azor Ahai?
A legendary hero prophesied to save the world.
What are the signs of Azor Ahai?
Born beneath a bleeding star, amidst salt and smoke.
Is Daenerys Targaryen Azor Ahai?
She is a strong candidate, fitting most signs.
Who is Jon Snow in A Song of Ice and Fire?
A key character with potential ties to Azor Ahai.
What is the Long Night in A Song of Ice and Fire?
A period of darkness with destructive Others.
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Summary
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Return of the Long Night: Azor Ahai
- The Long Night in A Song of Ice and Fire was a period of darkness when winter lasted a generation, with Others destroying all living things.
- Melisandre predicts the return of the Long Night, mentioning a hero named Azor Ahai as the only hope.
- Various cultures have legends of heroes who ended the Long Night, such as the Northerners, Rhoynar, YiTish, and Asshai’i.
- The "prince that was promised" and Azor Ahai are believed to be the same person, with connections to the "stallion who mounts the world."
- Azor Ahai is prophesied to be born beneath a "bleeding star," amidst salt and smoke, with a red or burning sword called Lightbringer.
- Azor Ahai is associated with dragons and may require a sacrifice, possibly involving king's blood.
- Azor Ahai must have Targaryen blood, specifically from the line of Aerys and Rhaella Targaryen.
- The three heads of the dragon may not refer to three separate individuals but rather companions who assist Azor Ahai.
- Stannis Baratheon is suggested as Azor Ahai but does not fulfill all the prophesied signs, leading to doubts about his identity.
- Daenerys Targaryen emerges as a strong candidate for Azor Ahai, fitting most of the prophesied signs and having the backing of Aemon and Benerro.
11:02
Jon Snow: The Promised Prince and Warg
- Jon Snow is hinted to be a powerful warg, with evidence from the Dance with Dragons Prologue and a vision from Melisandre where Jon transforms from a man to a wolf and back, suggesting he will warg into his direwolf Ghost before being reborn.
- Signs at Jon's stabbing, such as his smoking wound, Bowen Marsh's tears, and Ser Patrick's bleeding with distinctive star heraldry, are emphasized, along with Jon mentioning the "promised prince, born in smoke and salt," hinting at his potential role.
- Jon's possession of a Valyrian steel sword and his connection to the Night's Watch as a potential fiery weapon are discussed, along with theories about him needing a dragon, discovering his Targaryen lineage, or waking a dragon from within the Wall.
- Various pieces of evidence supporting Jon as Azor Ahai are highlighted, including Melisandre seeing Jon in her flames, Jon's dream of wielding a burning red sword against the Others, and his heroic qualities and actions aligning with the prophecy.
- The likelihood of Jon and Daenerys being Azor Ahai is strongly supported by evidence, foreshadowing, and narrative sense, with other characters having connections but lacking substantial evidence, making a third Azor Ahai or the prophecy being irrelevant less plausible.
