The Iron Throne (Symbol)
When Aegon the Conqueror establishes his seat at King's Landing, he takes the swords of his enemies and melts them down into a throne. This throne is referred to as the Iron Throne, as it is made entirely from the metal of these swords. It is uncomfortable to sit on and is known for cutting many of its claimants. The throne symbolizes power in the story in that it is both imposingly large and uncomfortable. It is also representative of the way Targaryen rule is established—as the book's title and Targaryen house words suggest—on the basis of fire and blood.
Dragons (Symbol)
Dragons are a symbol throughout the book, representing the power, violence, and unpredictability of the Targaryen rulers. Dragons prove essential to Aegon's initial conquest, as they allow him to handily defeat all of the armies in Westeros. At the same time, they are not invincible or easily controlled. Rhaneys's dragon Meraxes is killed by a scorpion bolt in Dorne and Rhaenyra's dragon, Syrax, accidentally kills her son, Joffrey, when he throws him off her back. The dragons begin to die out in the Dance of the Dragons, as many of them are killed in battle with one another. This is a fittingly symbolic end, as it also represents a serious decline in Targaryen power and prosperity.
Fire (Symbol)
Related to the symbolism of the dragons, fire is another prominent image throughout the book. After many of the battles involving dragons, the fields and castles are left scorched and ruined. Aegon defeats Harren Hoare by blasting it with fire from his dragon, Balerion. Like the dragons however, fire proves to be a double-edged sword, still causing harm to Targaryens when they go to war with each other. Aegon II is badly burned in a conflict with Rhaenys and her dragon and spends the rest of his days disfigured and in significant pain.
Betrayal (Motif)
A repeated motif in the book is betrayal. The novel depicts multiple instances of characters being stabbed in the back by the people they trust—often even by family. Maegor kills his nephew Aegon when he attempts to take the throne. He himself later perishes under mysterious circumstances, discovered dead on the Iron Throne. Later, Jacaerys is killed by his uncle Aemond, escalating the Dance of Dragons to a point of no return. The book emphasizes the way in which the desire for power incites these acts of violence and undermines the sense of family unity.
Crowns (Symbol)
Crowns are another important symbol in the book, as the different crowns chosen by various Targaryen kings and queens demonstrate their various ruling styles. During the Dance of the Dragons, Aegon II takes the crown of Aegon the Conqueror, showing his willingness to enforce his rule with violence as well as his connection to his namesake. Rhaenyra chooses the crown of Jaehaerys and Viserys, showing her connection to her father as well as her seemingly more balanced and considered view of the role. Following the events of the Dance, Aegon III, Rhaenyra's son, chooses a simple gold circlet, emphasizing his lack of desire for power or the perks that accompany it.
