Game of Thrones: Jon Snow is really dead. But who could be reborn?

HBO recently made a statement about Jon Snow, breaking the hearts of all Game of Thrones (GoT) fans.

"Dead is dead as dead as dead. He be dead. Yes. From everything I've seen, heard, read, Jon Snow is indeed dead," said HBO's president, Michael Lombardo.

This allows not even a sliver of hope for fans. Nothing can be done about this. Very simply: Jon Snow is DEAD.

Season 5 ended with Jon Snow being murdered in cold blood by his own brothers of the Night's Watch, his lifeless body bleeding out on the ground in a grotesque and brutal Shakespeare-style murder.

Raised from dead

So there's not even a sliver of hope? Well. No real GoT fan exists without even a sliver of hope, so no matter what HBO says, the fans have their own theories. One of which has it that Melissandre, the red woman, will bring him back from the dead.

Legend of Azor Ahai

"It is written in prophecy as well. When the red star bleeds and the darkness gathers, Azor Ahai shall be born again amidst smoke and salt to wake dragons out of stone," said Melissandre.

However, Melissandre seems to believe that this prophecy is for Stannis Baratheon. Several other characters could be reborn as Azor Ahai too.

But who is Azor Ahai?

He was born thousands of years ago. Salladhor Saan tells Davos part of the story on page 154 of Clash of Kings: "At a time when 'darkness was heavy upon the world' Azor Ahai decided to forge the hero's blade of Lightbringer. Twice he tried, but both times the blade shattered in a test. Finally, Azor Ahai forged a third sword, drew it from a fire, and plunged it into the heart of his wife Nissa Nissa. Her sacrifice allowed her life spirit to go into the blade and make it Lightbringer, the Red Sword of Heroes."

The book also says: "There will come a day after a long summer when the stars bleed and the cold breath of darkness falls heavy on the world. In this dread hour a warrior shall draw from the fire a burning sword. And that sword shall be Lightbringer, the Red Sword of Heroes, and he who clasps it shall be Azor Ahai come again, and the darkness shall flee before him."

What gives fans the hope that Jon could be Azor Ahai?

Jon Snow has the best chance to be reborn as Azor Ahai, because when Melissandre looks into fire for Azor Ahai, she sees things that are connected to Jon Snow. Also, Jon had a dream in which he sees he is fighting the 'others' with a red sword in his hand.

For the prophecy to come true, Jon must have the blood of a dragon. If Jon is really the son of Rhaegar Targaryen, this prerequisite is fulfilled. He would be the grandson of Aerys and Rhaella and thus, come from the bloodline of dragon.

Another hint is that Azor Ahai sacrificed his wife Nissa Nissa to complete the Lightbringer. In the same way Jon chose his duty to Night's Watch over his love, Ygritte. He indirectly caused her death by warning the Night's Watch about a possible fire by the Wildlings.

So will Jon Snow return?

We can theorise all we like. HBO's not telling.