Are Jon Snow And Daenerys Related

Okay, let’s just rip this bandage off, shall we? You’ve binge-watched Game of Thrones, and now your brain is doing that weird tangle thing. Are Jon Snow and Daenerys Targaryen actually related? The short answer is a loud, awkward yes. Grab your popcorn, because this is one messy family tree, and it’s weird even by Westeros standards.

Let’s Start with the Dad Who Didn’t Know

Remember Rhaegar Targaryen? He’s the brooding prince who played the harp and stole a lady named Lyanna Stark. Jon Snow isn’t Ned Stark’s bastard son—he’s actually the son of Rhaegar and Lyanna. That makes Jon half-Targaryen, half-Stark.

Now, Daenerys is also a Targaryen. She’s the daughter of the Mad King, Aerys II, who was Rhaegar’s father. So, Daenerys is Rhaegar’s little sister. Jon is Daenerys’s nephew. Yes, like that awkward holiday dinner where your nephew shows up and you realize you’re both dragons.

The “Nephew” Thing Gets Gross Fast

In the show, Jon and Dany fall in love. They smooch, they rule, they let that dragon melt a few things. But biologically? That’s an aunt and her nephew. In some families, that’s a “no thanks.” In the Targaryen family, it’s practically a tradition.

The Targaryens have been marrying siblings and cousins for centuries to “keep the blood pure.” It’s like they invented the phrase, “It’s not weird if we’re royalty.” Spoiler: it’s still weird. But hey, at least they didn’t know about it until later—awkward for everyone, including the dragons.

Why Didn’t Anyone Tell Them?

Because the biggest secret in Westeros was hidden by a guy named Howland Reed and a promise. Ned Stark swore to his dying sister Lyanna that he’d protect baby Jon from Robert Baratheon’s wrath. So Ned claimed Jon as his bastard—a lie that lasted for decades.

Dany never knew Rhaegar had a son. She thought she was the last Targaryen, the “Mother of Dragons” without any living family. Imagine finding out you have a nephew who’s also your king, your boyfriend, and the guy who’s better at politics than you. Awkward dinner conversation at the dragon table.

Here s how jon snow and daenerys targaryen are related on game of

What About the Stark Line?

Hold up—Jon is also a Stark through his mother, Lyanna. That makes him Ned Stark’s nephew. So Jon is both a Targaryen and a Stark, which is why he’s called the “Prince That Was Promised.” It’s like being in a band and being both the lead guitarist and the drummer. You’re just that talented.

This also means he has a claim to the Iron Throne that’s actually better than Dany’s. Rhaegar was the crown prince until he died, so his son Jon is heir. Ouch—imagine finding out your boyfriend is your nephew and also the rightful king. That’s a Hallmark card nobody wants.

The “Targaryen Family Tree” Is a Spaghetti Bowl

Let’s get silly for a sec. The Targaryens have a history of marrying brother to sister, uncle to niece, and even father to daughter. It’s like they used a family tree as a jump rope. Daenerys’s parents were brother and sister (Aerys II and Rhaella). So Dany is already a product of incest—making Jon’s aunt-ness a minor blip in Targaryen lore.

If you drew a diagram of Jon and Dany’s relationship, it would look like a pretzel. They share the same bloodline from both sides, because Targaryens didn’t leave many branches outside the family. It’s basically a game of “who’s your daddy?” where the answer is always “your uncle.”

But Did They Actually… You Know?

In the show, yes, they definitely did. And viewers had a collective heart attack. “Wait, they’re related?!” became a global meme. Some fans were grossed out; others shrugged and said, “It’s Westeros.” The show dropped the bomb of Jon’s lineage in Season 7, right after their love scene. Timing, people. Timing.

Targaryen Family Tree Diagram Targaryen Family Tree Jon Snow Family

The books by George R.R. Martin are even messier. They hint at Jon’s parentage with clues like a blue rose in a wall of ice, but Martin hasn’t confirmed it all yet. So book fans are still waiting for that awkward reveal. It’s like waiting for your friend to admit they’re dating their cousin at a wedding.

The Takeaway: It’s Gross, But It’s Targaryen

So, to answer your question: Yes, Jon Snow and Daenerys Targaryen are related—he’s her nephew, she’s his aunt. It’s not a distant cousin or a second cousin twice removed. It’s the kind of relationship that makes your family tree look like a wreath.

But here’s the uplifting part: Fiction gives us permission to explore the weird. It’s a story about love, power, and the consequences of secrets. And let’s be real—would you rather have Jon and Dany date or have them fight a dragon together? Exactly.

Final Thought (With a Smile)

Next time you feel awkward about your own family holiday dinner, remember: You’re not dating your nephew. And you’re not ruling a kingdom with a dragon-eating monster. So laugh, grab a lemon cake, and thank the gods you’re not a Targaryen. Or if you are, at least know you’re in good—confusing—company.

Jon and Dany’s love story is a tragedy, but it’s also a hilarious reminder that even in fantasy, dating your aunt is a bad idea. Unless you’re a dragon. Then maybe it’s fine. Either way, the moral is clear: Family trees are best when they’re just trees—not pretzels. Cheers to that!