The Azor Ahai prophecy is central to the story of Game of Thrones. Azor Ahai is a major prophesied character in the books, and he’s (or she’s?) set to save the living in the fight against the dead. There are many theories tied to the Azor Ahai prophecy, many of which name Jon Snow as the Prince That was Promised.
Who is Azor Ahai?
Azor Ahai is a prophesied hero who will save the living in the Great War to come against the dead. In the first book, A Game of Thrones, we learn this about Azor Ahai’s story:
Now these were the days before the Andals came, and long before the women fled across the narrow sea from the cities of the Rhoyne, and the hundred kingdoms of those times were the kingdoms of the First Men, who had taken these lands from the children of the forest. Yet here and there in the fastness of the woods the children still lived in their wooden cities and hollow hills, and the faces in the trees kept watch. So as cold and death filled the earth, the last hero determined to seek out the children, in the hopes that their ancient magics could win back what the armies of men had lost. He set out into the dead lands with a sword, a horse, a dog, and a dozen companions. For years he searched, until he despaired of ever finding the children of the forest in their secret cities. One by one his friends died, and his horse, and finally even his dog, and his sword froze so hard the blade snapped when he tried to use it. And the Others smelled the hot blood in him, and came silent on his trail, stalking him with packs of pale white spiders big as hounds.
— A Game of Thrones, Bran IV.
Azor Ahai Prophecy: The Last Hero
In the above story — which was told to Bran by Old Nan — we learn the following things about Azor Ahai in his battle against the dead.
- He sought out the Children of the Forest
- He had a horse, which died
- He had a sword, which ultimately froze and snapped
- He had a dog, which died
- He had a dozen companions, all of whom died
- The Others followed his trail back
Jon Snow is living the Azor Ahai prophecy
Okay, he can’t check off the Children of the Forest box, since they are all dead in the show, but we can let that slide. The purpose of seeking out the Children was to find magic to help against the dead. Perhaps he’ll seek out magic in the form of Dany’s dragons, instead.
We do know that Jon Snow ends up in the North with a horse, a sword, a dog (Ghost), and a dozen companions. Go ahead, count them:
Who are the dozen people?
- One of them is Jon Snow
- One of them is Beric Dondarrion (who wields a flaming sword)
- One of them is The Hound
- One of them is Tormund
- One of them is likely Gendry.
Yes, Gendry! He’d be the one wielding the war-hammer at 3-o-clock in the above picture.
Jon Snow is also seen riding off — alone — with his horse (and his sword). The horse could, of course, die. And perhaps it’s Beric Dondarrion’s flaming sword that “freezes” (or simply loses its flame) and snaps.
We know that when a White Walker’s blade hits a non-Valyrian steel blade, the non-Valyrian blade snaps.
The fact Jon is riding off alone suggests that the other companions all died, potentially even including Jon’s dire wolf, Ghost. Or perhaps the Hound represents the dog from the story.