As Arya Stark (Maisie Williams) learns early on in Game of Thrones' run, all the best swords have names. The world of Ice and Fire features plenty of named weapons, ranging from longtime heirlooms of some of the most powerful families in Westeros to cutesy names given to brand new blades.
However, in spite of Arya's wisdom, Game of Thrones features plenty of iconic unnamed weapons, too.
Given the significant role swords play not just on the battlefield but also as status symbols, many Game of Thrones fans can instantly match a weapon to its wielder without thinking about it. Here are the five most iconic swords seen throughout the show.
5. Beric Dondarrion's flaming sword
Beric Dondarrion (Richard Dormer), the leader of the Brotherhood Without Banners, has far less screentime throughout Game of Thrones than the rest of the sword wielders featured on his list. However, his unforgettable fiery blade is so recognizable it has become synonymous with the character, making Beric himself far more memorable than a typical recurring guest star.
Beric first wields his flaming sword in a trial by combat against Sandor Clegane, aka "the Hound" (Rory McCann). Though he dies to the Hound's blade, Thoros of Myr (Paul Kaye) brings Beric back from the dead, and he goes on to ignite his blade again in Jon Snow's wight quest, and one final time in the Battle of Winterfell, during which Beric dies for good. The flaming blade proves pivotal in the battle against the undead, and in every one of its appearances, it makes for an unforgettable image.
4. The Catspaw Assassin's Dagger
Game of Thrones turns the Catspaw Assassin's dagger into the ultimate Chekov's gun (or, in this case, Chekov's sword). First appearing in season 1, when an unnamed assassin wields the blade to attempt to kill a comatose Bran (Isaac Hempstead-Wright), Catelyn (Michelle Fairley) uses the fancy weaponry to falsely accuse Tyrion (Peter Dinklage) of commissioning the attack after being pointed toward the youngest Lannister by Littlefinger (Aidan Gillen). We later learn that it was actually Joffrey (Jack Gleason) who was behind Bran's assassination attempt, and Littlefinger was simply taking advantage for his own gain —which makes it all the more meaningful when Arya uses the Catspaw dagger to slice his throat.
However, the Catspaw Assassin dagger is most famous for being the weapon Arya would use to kill the Night King (Vladimir Furdik). During the Battle of Winterfell, Arya whips out the small Valyrian Steel blade and stabs the leader of the white walkers in the stomach with it, destroying the threat of the undead once and for all. This one blade effectively started the War of the Five Kings and ended the Long Night, all in the same location.
3. Ice, Oathkeeper, and Widow's Wail
These three swords share one entry because they are, in effect, the same blade. Ice, the first Valyrian Steel sword seen throughout Game of Thrones, and an heirloom of House Stark, is initially wielded by Ned Stark (Sean Bean), first to decapitate Will (Bronson Webb) a Night's Watch deserter, then by Ilyn Payne to behead Ned himself in the penultimate episode of season 1.
After Ned's death, Tywin Lannister (Charles Dance) melts down the comically large Ice into two Valyrian Steel swords, The first of these swords, Widow's Wail, is presented to King Joffrey Baratheon (Jack Gleason) as a wedding gift, but after his death, Jaime begins to use it. Jaime also gives the second sword, Oathkeeper, to Brienne of Tarth (Gwendoline Christie), before sending her on her quest to find the Stark girls. As such, Brienne uses Ned Stark's old weapon to protect his daughters.
2. Needle
Before leaving for the Night's Watch, Jon Snow gifts his half-sister Arya with a sword of her own. Arya jokingly names her new weapon "Needle" in reference to the fact that she hates sewing. After Ned discovers Needle, he hires Syrio Forel (Miltos Yerolemou), the First Sword of Braavos, to teach Arya how to use it.
In addition to serving as her primary weapon throughout the series, Needle also represents Arya's sense of self. She first loses the blade while pretending to be "Arry the Orphan Boy," and after regaining it she assumes her usual identity again, only to then hide it from herself while studying to become "No One" at the House of Black and White. Arya finally wields Needle once again to kill the Waif (Faye Marsay) as she abandons her faceless man training, proudly declaring that she is "Arya Stark of Winterfell."
1. Longclaw
Lord Commander Jeor Mormont (James Cosmo) gifts Jon Snow a Valyrian Steel sword called "Longclaw" back in Season 1. The ancestral blade of House Mormont, Longclaw was initially meant for Jorah (Iain Glen), Jeor's son, but after Jorah brought shame to his house and fled Westeros, Jeor saved the weapon for a more worthy successor. After choosing Jon, he had the Mormont bear pommel replaced with a Stark direwolf.
Given that Jon fights in more major battles than any other character in the show, Longclaw ends up receiving more screentime than any other weapon. In addition to being Jon's primary sword, Longclaw is also the blade used to discover White Walkers' vulnerability to Valyrian Steel. Jon and Jorah even discuss the sword in a brief exchange, where Jon offers Jorah his house's heirloom, and Jorah declines, saying it belongs with Jon. Even characters in universe recognize how iconic the Jon Snow/Longclaw pairing has become.
For more from the world of Westeros, make sure to stream House of the Dragon season 3 on HBO Max.
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