A Dragon by Any Other Legs…
George R.R. Martin, the mastermind behind the sprawling fantasy world of Westeros and the epic saga of "A Song of Ice and Fire," recently took to his blog to express his displeasure with a seemingly minor detail in the "House of the Dragon" series. It wasn’t the plot, the characters, or even the dragons themselves, but the emblem used to represent House Targaryen, the House of the Dragon. Specifically, he objects to the emblem’s depiction of a three-headed dragon with four legs.
Martin’s argument, though seemingly trivial at first glance, reveals a fundamental principle within worldbuilding and fantasy writing. He argues that the emblem’s four-legged depiction of a dragon is inherently unrealistic and lacks grounding in the natural world. Dragons, he contends, are creatures of the sky, their wings evolved from their forelegs, just like birds and bats. "Four-legged dragons exist only in heraldry," he writes. "No animal that has ever lived on Earth has six limbs."
This statement is, of course, partially true. There are no known animals on Earth with six limbs. While Martin acknowledges the fictional nature of the three-headed dragon – "of course no dragon has three heads," he states, "that bit is purely symbolic, meant to reflect Aegon the Conqueror and his two sisters" – he insists that the physical presence of the dragons within his world should still adhere to some semblance of biological plausibility.
However, this insistence on biological realism within a fictional realm raises some interesting questions. If we accept that the three-headed dragon is a symbol of power and unity, why must it be limited by the physical constraints of a single, natural species?
Martin’s argument hinges on the assumption that dragons are purely reptilian creatures. While this is the established image of dragons in his world, it doesn’t preclude the possibility of other evolutionary paths. We know that insects, for instance, often have six legs and wings, their wings being derived from a different structure than bird wings. New research even suggests that insect wings evolved from gills, further blurring the lines of structural evolution.
Even in our own world, we find examples of creatures that defy expectations. Dragonflies, for example, literally live up to their name, with their long, slender bodies and iridescent wings. There also exists a species of flying lizard called Draco that utilizes an extendable membrane to glide distances over 200 feet at a time. These creatures, while not possessing the mythical power of "Game of Thrones" dragons, demonstrate that nature is full of surprises, and evolution can produce remarkably diverse forms.
Furthermore, Martin’s contention that dragons are creatures of the sky, "breathing fire," raises further questions about their physiology and the limitations of their environment. Larger animals need more oxygen for basic cellular respiration. It becomes increasingly difficult for them to breathe at higher altitudes due to decreasing oxygen levels. Hatzegopteryx, the largest known flying animal to have ever lived, existed during a time when the atmosphere contained 50% more oxygen than today.
Could it be that Martin’s dragons, these powerful, fire-breathing creatures, are actually "living fossils," remnants of a time when oxygen levels were higher than they are now? This opens the possibility of a six-limbed ancestor, a creature that could potentially support the weight and demands of multiple heads. Such an ancestor could have filled a unique ecological niche, perhaps even existing alongside humans during a period of higher atmospheric oxygen levels.
While the debate about the correct depiction of a three-headed dragon may seem minor, it serves as a reminder that even within a fantastical world, certain principles of realism can enhance the believability and richness of the narrative. Perhaps the iconic three-headed Targaryen dragon is not a simple symbol of power, but a creature with its own unique evolutionary history, one that defies our current understanding of life on Earth.
Of course, this begs the question: what does this discussion mean for the "Winds of Winter," Martin’s long-awaited sequel to "A Song of Ice and Fire"? Will the depiction of the dragon be altered in the book? Will Martin continue to insist on a strict adherence to biological realism, or will he embrace the fantastical nature of his world and allow for more creative liberties?
Only time, and the release of the elusive sixth book, will tell. But one thing is certain: the debate about the legs of a three-headed dragon may not be a trivial matter after all. It reflects the complex relationship between fantasy and reality, and the importance of grounded imagination within a world that continues to surprise us with its wonders.
