If Dorothy was spooked by the "lions, tigers, and bears" in Oz, she'd last a nanosecond in Westeros, where dragons, wolves, ravens, and bloodflies roam the land. But it's not the fabled creatures in HBO's Game of Thrones that are truly terrifying — it's the power-thirsty, scheming, disloyal, and morally questionable people residing in the Seven Kingdoms. The fantasy drama has captivated viewers and critics alike since its February 2011 debut, with each episode spawning new fan theories, popular characters influencing fashion and beauty trends, and quotable lines becoming Internet memes and popular rap lyrics.
As fans await the debut of season seven, they can find some solace in these grand tattoos that pay homage to the series, its intricate folklore, and its unforgettable characters. Which Game of Thrones tattoo would you consider getting?
*Image via *mikeycumming/Instagram
Stained Glass Daenerys
The platinum-haired Daenerys Targaryen captured viewers' hearts even before the dragon eggs she received on her wedding night hatched and she emerged as the Mother of Dragons. This inked portrait of the leader of the Dothraki features fascinating juxtapositions of shadow and light, as well as vivid colors and sections that recreate the appearance of a stained glass window.
Three-Eyed Raven
The presence of a third eye typically indicates a heightened perception, an ability to "see" beyond the physical realm. In the GOT universe, a three-eyed raven appears constantly in Bran Stark's dreams, many of which turn out to be prophetic visions. As his psychic powers strengthen, Bran begins to embark upon time-traveling journeys with the human manifestation of the raven: Brynden "Bloodraven" Rivers. This tattoo, then, pays homage to some of the more mystical elements of the show.
Jon Snow
The honorable Jon Snow is Game of Thrones' obvious hero — not to mention the object of every female viewer's affection! From the first episode, when viewers learn he's Ned Stark's illegitimate son, Jon Snow is positioned as an outcast — but one who wants to prove his valor and loyalty, joining the Night Watch and quickly rising through the ranks. The constant visuals of Snow alongside his albino direwolf, Ghost, clearly position him as a "lone wolf" type, but one who could become the righteous leader of a pack or, rather, a kingdom. In this tattoo, portraits of Snow and Ghost seem to fuse together with the snow-covered woods in the backdrop, creating a beautifully surreal image.
Longclaw & Blue Winter Rose
The blue winter rose has a thorny history in Game of Thrones. In season 5, it was revealed that, after winning a crown of blue roses at a jousting tournament, Crown Prince Rhaegar Targaryen rode past his own wife and placed the coveted prize on the lap of the beautiful Lyanna Stark, who was enamored with the blooms' scent. He ran off with Lyanna soon thereafter, and chaos ensued. Throughout the show, blue roses appear in visions involving the late Lyanna. In this tat, Jon Snow's special weapon, the longclaw, pierces a blue winter rose.
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Cersei Lannister
The most dangerous, conniving, manipulative, sinister being in all of Westeros is the newly anointed Queen Regent of the Seven Kingdoms: Cersei Lannister. Though most viewers want Cersei to meet a grizzly fate, some can't help but root for the evil queen with the witty comebacks and unwavering ambition. Who else would utter the words, "I am a lioness; I will not cringe for them"? Still, she might have foretold her own destiny when she said, "When you play the game of thrones, you either win or you die." She's winning now, but the game is far from over.
Arya Stark
From the very first episode, it was clear that Arya Stark had no interest in so-called "feminine" activities, outperforming her brothers in archery and swordplay. After the massacre of her family at the Red Wedding, Arya has developed enviable survival skills, avoiding the Lannister henchmen tasked with seeking her out and killing her, and enacting vengeance on those who wronged the Starks. She's a feminist icon, an example of a female TV character fiercely defying patriarchal norms and living by her own rules. In this kick-ass half-sleeve, Arya is shown holding a sword, a flock of ravens circling behind her.
Hold the Door!
Throughout *GOT'*s first five seasons, Hodor was known as a gentle giant and loyal servant whose name was derived from the one word he muttered: "hodor." In season 6's "The Door" episode, the story behind his name was revealed: "hodor" was actually a play on the phrase "Hold the door." It was also foreshadowing of the beloved character's brutal death, during which he resisted a horde of White Walkers, pushing all of his weight against a wooden door, ultimately sacrificing himself so as to save Bran Stark. The phrase "hold the door" inspired a flurry of memes, including door stoppers with Hodor's face.
Tyrion Lannister
When it comes to the subjects of drinking and reading, Tyrion Lannister (played by Peter Dinklage) is full of quotable quips. On his relentless boozing, he's mused, "It's not easy being drunk all the time. Everyone would do it if it were easy." On his fondness for reading, meanwhile, he's said, "A mind needs books like a sword needs a whetstone, if it is to keep its edge." Bottom line: As he's argued from the start, drinking and knowing things is what he does. This striking portrait of Tyrion shows him flaunting his signature lion ring.
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Shoulder Armor
As the words under its sigil suggest, the House Tyrell has been "growing strong" throughout each season of Game of Thrones. The house's vast army of 100,000 men has now pledged its allegiance to Daenerys and will be fighting to reinstate a Targaryen to the Iron Throne. This tattooed GoT fan is clearly ready to join the battle, bearing a half-sleeve, black-and-gray piece meant to resemble armor and decorated with the House Tyrell's distinctive rose sigil.
Khaleesi
Once Daenerys Targaryen married Dothraki warlord Drago, known as The Great Kahl, she became a Khaleesi — a position she has continued to embrace even after her husband's untimely death. Known as the Mother of Dragons, Khaleesi presides over a khalasar of 100,000 and three dragons she's raised as her own children. As of season 6, she was standing on the flagship vessel of her new fleet, her dragons flying in the skies above, sailing en route to Westeros, where she will vie for the Iron Throne.
"Chaos Isn't a Pit..."
Game of Thrones is rife with philosophical musings. Take, for instance, Petyr "Littlefinger" Baelish's theory regarding chaos, which is referenced in this chest piece. While conversing with Lord Varys, Baelish mused: "Chaos isn't a pit. Chaos is a ladder. Many who try to climb it fail and never get to try again. The fall breaks them. And some are given a chance to climb. They refuse, they cling to the realm or the gods or love. Illusions. Only the ladder is real. The climb is all there is."
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"The Night Is Dark"
The Red Priestess, Melisandre, has repeatedly — and ominously — intoned the phrase, "The night is dark and full of terrors." Though she pent years supporting Stannis Baratheon's bid for the Iron Throne, the dark magic practitioner has now come to believe that Jon Snow is the true "Prince who was Promised." This rib tattoo immortalizes Melisandre's famous phrase while tying it into Jon Snow's story line through the portrait of his beloved direwolf, Ghost.
Jaime Lannister
Most viewers initially dismissed Jaime Lannister, depicted in this portrait tattoo, as a loathsome traitor involved in a twisted incestuous relationship with his twin sister Cercei. The former knight earned the nickname "Kingslayer" after betraying his sacred Kingsguard oath and killing the Mad King, Aerys Targaryen. Viewers later learned, however, that this seemingly treacherous act was fueled by honorable intentions: Jaime slayed the king to prevent him from starting a wildfire that would claim thousands of lives. Throughout the series, Jaime has been seeking redemption, but it's unclear whether he'll ever find it.
The North Remembers
In a GoT episode, Ramsay Bolton told Sansa Stark, "The North remembers." Though viewers and fans of the book series debated over Bolton's intentions when uttering the line, it's clear that, when Northerners utter the phrase, they're alluding to their awareness of the betrayals committed against the Stark family — particularly by Theon Greyjoy — and they have an ever-present thirst for justice. This tattoo, then, is a play on the House Stark seal (a gray direwolf against a white backdrop) with the phrase emblazoned on the sigil as a #TeamStark display.
Dragon Mother
This colorful tattoo doesn't thrust Khaleesi's dragons into the shadowy backdrop, instead placing them front-and-center. Drogon's head, with its black-and-red scales, hovers above Khaleesi's own head, while the green-scaled Rhaegal and the yellow-scaled Viserion lurk beneath, Khaleesi's platinum locks encircling them protectively.
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