Ever wondered what America’s most iconic animals would be if they ruled the Seven Kingdoms? What if instead of direwolves prowling beyond the Wall, we had grizzly bears? Instead of golden lions in Casterly Rock, we had mighty bison roaming the Great Plains? This fascinating crossover between George R.R. Martin’s legendary houses and America’s diverse wildlife creates surprisingly perfect matches. From the fierce loyalty of wolves to the cunning intelligence of eagles, American animals possess many of the same qualities that define Westeros’ great houses. Each creature represents something fundamental about survival, power, and identity – just like the sigils that wave proudly above castle walls. Let’s explore how nine of America’s most remarkable animals would embody the spirit, strengths, and sometimes flaws of Game of Thrones’ most powerful families.
House Stark – The American Gray Wolf
The gray wolf perfectly embodies House Stark’s essence of loyalty, resilience, and pack mentality that define this northern family. These magnificent predators once roamed throughout North America, much like how the Starks ruled the independent North for thousands of years. American gray wolves are known for their unwavering family bonds and their ability to survive in harsh, unforgiving environments. These majestic creatures represent true American icons, just as the Starks represent the backbone of honor in Westeros. Wolves mate for life and will fight fiercely to protect their pack, much like how Ned guarded the North as Warden and held the title of Lord of Winterfell. When separated from their pack, wolves struggle to survive – a trait that mirrors how the Stark children struggle when separated throughout the series.
House Targaryen – The Bald Eagle
The bald eagle has been the national bird of the United States since 1782, a symbol of pride and strength, making it the perfect match for House Targaryen’s regal bearing. “The eagle displayed is the symbol of supreme power and authority”, which perfectly captures the Targaryen legacy as dragonlords and conquerors. These birds soar high above all others, much like how Targaryens are “closer to gods than to men”. These majestic creatures have a wingspan of about 7 feet and can fly between 75 to 99 mph in a hunting dive. Their incredible hunting prowess and aerial dominance mirror the Targaryens’ historical control of the skies with their dragons. Eagles serve as signals to reconnect with your spiritual path and remind you to listen to your heart, reflecting the Targaryens’ deep connection to prophecies and ancient magic.
House Lannister – The Mountain Lion
The mountain lion, also known as the cougar or puma, represents the perfect American equivalent to House Lannister’s golden lion. These solitary predators are known for their cunning, stealth, and territorial nature – traits that mirror how the lion symbol fits the Lannister family, with Cersei being similar to a lioness, fiercely protective and cunning hunters who prey upon the weak. Mountain lions are incredibly adaptable and can thrive in various environments, from deserts to forests. Their golden-tan coat perfectly matches the Lannister colors of crimson and gold, representing royalty, glamour, prosperity, nobility, and passion. These cats are known for their patience and calculated hunting strategies, much like how Lannisters are known for their cunning and calculated strategies. They’re apex predators who command respect and fear, embodying the raw power and wealth that defines House Lannister.
House Baratheon – The American Bison
The American bison was named the national mammal of the United States on May 9, 2016, joining the ranks of the Bald Eagle as an official symbol of American identity. These massive creatures perfectly embody House Baratheon’s golden field background representing prosperity, wealth, power, and conquest. The buffalo or bison represents bravery, freedom, kindness, strength, and respect. Bison are North America’s largest land mammal, with adult males typically weighing 1,400 to 2,000 pounds, with some exceptional bulls reaching up to 2,200 pounds, reflecting the imposing physical presence associated with the Baratheon line. As a totem symbol, the buffalo represents groundedness, solidness, sheer power, and abundance, with strength and a deep, firm connection to the earth. This perfectly captures Robert Baratheon’s reputation for being a powerful warrior and his deep connection to the common people.
House Martell – The American Alligator
The American alligator represents House Martell’s fierce independence and lethal patience. These ancient predators have survived since the time of dinosaurs, much like how the Martells have a long history of warfare and conquest dating back before present day Game of Thrones, with Princess Nymeria seeking to conquer Dorne 1,000 years earlier. Alligators are perfectly adapted to their harsh environment, thriving in the hot, humid swamps of the American South. Their stealth and sudden explosive power mirror how each of the Martell women is hot-tempered and whoever upsets them will feel the heat and eventually suffer the consequences, with the golden spear representing their unwavering goals to protect their lands and family. The Martells are known for their mastery over poisons, with Oberyn Martell imbuing poisons in his spear to defeat enemies. Alligators similarly use patience and deadly precision to take down their prey.
House Tyrell – The Monarch Butterfly
The monarch butterfly might seem delicate, but it represents one of nature’s most remarkable achievements – a multi-generational migration across thousands of miles. This perfectly embodies House Tyrell’s nature as skilled manipulators who prefer cunning over outright aggression, using their perception and courtesy to create necessary illusions of good nature. Monarchs appear beautiful and harmless, yet their entire lifecycle is a masterclass in adaptation and survival. The Tyrells strive for beauty and luxury and can be given the title of the most stylish house in the Seven Kingdoms. Monarch butterflies are equally stunning with their vibrant orange and black patterns. The Tyrells know the benefits of good PR and how to make themselves loved, much like how monarch butterflies have become beloved symbols of transformation and renewal across America.
House Greyjoy – The American Black Bear
The American black bear represents the perfect match for House Greyjoy’s complex nature. While smaller than their grizzly cousins, black bears are incredibly resourceful and adaptable, much like how House Greyjoy’s kraken illustrates their dominion over the Iron Islands, and just as the mythical kraken lurks beneath the waves, House Greyjoy’s influence spreads across the seas but attacks are rare. These bears are excellent swimmers and climbers, reflecting the Greyjoys’ seafaring nature. Black bears are known for their unpredictable temperament and fierce protection of their territory, which mirrors the Greyjoys’ reckless, grumpy nature and questionable mental stability after experiencing heavy blows of fate. The bear is a solitary animal capable of ferocity, and as a totem animal, it signifies the importance of taking command and leading with aloof aggressiveness. This perfectly captures the isolationist yet fierce nature of the Iron Islands.
House Arryn – The Golden Eagle
The golden eagle soars higher than almost any other bird in North America, making it the ideal representative for House Arryn and their mountain fortress. The Arryns of the Vale are the most detached house in Westeros, avoiding trouble by staying behind the safety of the Bloody Gate in their castle, The Eyrie, located high in the Mountains of the Moon. Golden eagles nest on high cliff faces and rocky outcrops, mirroring the Eyrie’s impregnable position. These magnificent raptors are known for their incredible eyesight and ability to spot prey from miles away, reflecting the Arryns’ strategic advantage of observing conflicts from their lofty perch. The Eagle represents the need for solitary reflection and is a symbol to lean on when individual, lone courage is required. Their hunting style involves patience and precision, much like how the Arryns carefully choose when to involve themselves in the game of thrones.
House Tully – The American Beaver
The American beaver perfectly embodies House Tully’s values and strategic importance in Westeros. The Tully sigil is a silver trout on red and blue background, with house words “Family, Duty, Honor”. Beavers are renowned for their incredible family bonds and cooperative work ethic, building elaborate dam systems that benefit entire ecosystems. This mirrors how the Tully house motto emphasizes family ties coming first, with pretty kind and gentle people who will fight ferociously to protect those they love. Beavers are ecosystem engineers, fundamentally changing their environment through their construction work, much like how the Tully alliance with Stark and Arryn houses during Robert’s Rebellion formed a powerful coalition that defeated the “Mad King” and ended Targaryen rule. Their industrious nature and ability to create stability in chaotic river systems perfectly represents the Tullys’ role as the backbone of major alliances in Westeros.
Conclusion
These remarkable American animals capture the essence of Westeros’ great houses in ways that feel both surprising and inevitable. From the pack loyalty of gray wolves to the patient deadliness of alligators, each creature embodies the core traits that make these fictional families so compelling. The parallels remind us that whether in fantasy or reality, survival often depends on the same fundamental qualities – loyalty, adaptability, cunning, and strength. Perhaps what makes these comparisons so fascinating is how they highlight the universal nature of these characteristics. The qualities that helped shape America’s wilderness – from the eagle’s soaring vision to the beaver’s industrious cooperation – are the same ones that fuel the political intrigue of the Seven Kingdoms. What do you think about these wild comparisons? Tell us in the comments which animal-house pairing surprised you the most.
