# Rlj > R+L=J is a 1997 fan theory equation proposing Jon Snow is the secret son of Rhaegar Targaryen and Lyanna Stark that defined ASOIAF fandom for nearly two decades until HBO's Game of Thrones confirmed it in 2016. R+L=J is a fan theory from the *A Song of Ice and Fire* book series positing that Jon Snow is not the bastard son of Eddard Stark, but the child of Rhaegar Targaryen and Lyanna Stark. First discussed online as early as 1997, the theory became the central mystery of the ASOIAF fandom for nearly two decades before HBO's *Game of Thrones* confirmed it in 2016[7]. It stands as one of the most famous and thoroughly argued fan theories in internet history. ## Origin The earliest known online articulation of R+L=J appeared on September 18, 1997, when a user named Rodrick Su posted a short list of unanswered questions from *A Game of Thrones* to the Usenet group rec.arts.sf.written[7]. In his post, Rodrick wrote: "It is wholely consistent that Jon Snow is the offspring of Rhaegar Targaryen and Lyanna Stark. Ned probably keep this a secret because Rober Baratheon is obsess with killing off all Targaryen, especially any offspring of Rhaegar"[7]. He even predicted that Jon and Daenerys would become romantically involved, noting Jon would be "the most likely mate to Daenery, being that she is his aunt"[7]. George R.R. Martin had published *A Game of Thrones* on August 6, 1996[4], and within a year, readers were already piecing together the clues. The first major dedicated discussion thread appeared on the fan forum A Forum of Ice and Fire at Westeros.org on May 2, 2006, created by user Stark Future under the title "The Lyanna + Rhaegar = Jon Thread"[4]. That original thread spawned 23 parts, with the most recent installment starting on June 22, 2011[4]. - **Platform:** Usenet (rec.arts.sf.written), later A Forum of Ice and Fire (Westeros.org) - **Creator:** Rodrick Su (earliest known online poster) - **Date:** 1997 ## Overview R+L=J uses a simple algebraic shorthand to express a complex literary theory: R (Rhaegar Targaryen) + L (Lyanna Stark) = J (Jon Snow). The theory argues that Jon Snow, introduced in *A Game of Thrones* as the illegitimate son of the honorable Ned Stark, is actually the son of Ned's sister Lyanna and the Targaryen prince Rhaegar[4]. Ned, the theory claims, promised his dying sister he would protect the child by raising him as his own bastard, hiding his Targaryen blood from Robert Baratheon, who was determined to wipe out every last Targaryen[2]. The formula-style notation made it easy to share, search for, and debate across forums, message boards, and social media. For readers of the books, it was the skeleton key that unlocked the series' deeper mythology, connecting Jon to the prophecy of Azor Ahai, the "prince that was promised," and to the series' title itself: *A Song of Ice and Fire*, with Jon being literally half ice (Stark) and half fire (Targaryen)[10]. ## How It Spread From its Usenet origins, R+L=J spread through the growing ASOIAF online community during the late 1990s and 2000s. Other discussions, posts, and expansions on the theory followed Rodrick Su's original post, and long before *Game of Thrones* aired its first episode, R+L=J was treated as near-gospel in book fandom circles[7]. On February 20, 2009, user dooley started a thread titled "i get the R+L=J theory, but…." on the Chronicles Fiction and Fantasy Community board[4]. On September 1, 2011, Redditor Ytoabn submitted a thread to /r/asoiaf titled "What is R+L = J? (Unmarked ADWD Spoilers?)," introducing the theory to Reddit's growing ASOIAF community[4]. The theory started appearing in mainstream media roundups as *Game of Thrones* brought millions of new fans into the fold. On January 25, 2013, io9 included it in "All the Game of Thrones Fan Theories You Absolutely Need to Know"[2]. WhatCulture featured it on August 7, 2013[4]. In 2014, it appeared in fan theory lists from The Huffington Post[3], Flavorwire[5], and The Daily Dot[1]. By May 2014, over 200 submissions on DeviantArt were tagged "Lyanna Stark and Rhaegar Targaryen"[4]. Dedicated Tumblr blogs like fuckyeahrhaegarandlyanna and jontargaryen kept the theory alive in fandom spaces[4]. YouTuber Alt Shift X produced a comprehensive video explanation of R+L=J that became a go-to resource for fans wanting to understand the evidence[6]. ## How to Use R+L=J isn't a traditional meme template with image macros or caption formats. Instead, it functions as fandom shorthand and a cultural reference point. People typically use it in these ways: - **As a shibboleth.** Dropping "R+L=J" in conversation signals you're deep in the ASOIAF fandom. If someone recognizes it instantly, they're a book reader or a deeply invested show fan. - **As a reaction.** When a new clue appeared in the show, fans would post "R+L=J CONFIRMED" or variations, often in all caps. - **As a formula template.** The algebraic style (letter + letter = letter) has been borrowed for other fan theories across different franchises, following the same shorthand logic. - **In fan art.** Artists commonly depict Rhaegar and Lyanna together, sometimes with baby Jon, as visual expressions of the theory[13]. ## Cultural Impact R+L=J is frequently cited as one of the most successful fan theories in entertainment history. It shaped how millions of viewers experienced *Game of Thrones*, turning casual watchers into amateur detectives. The theory appeared in major publications including io9[2], The Daily Dot[1], Huffington Post[3], Flavorwire[5], Mic[6], Vox[7], Screen Rant[10], and SlashFilm[8], among others. The Vox oral history of R+L=J in 2017 framed it alongside other legendary fan theories like the *Harry Potter* theory that Ron is Dumbledore and the *Star Wars* theory that Jar Jar Binks is a Sith Lord, but noted that R+L=J was unique in being both widely believed and ultimately correct[7]. The confirmation scene in the season six finale was designed as a visual puzzle. The camera cut from baby Jon to adult Jon without explicit dialogue confirming the connection, rewarding attentive viewers while leaving casual watchers to piece it together or search online, driving massive traffic to explainer articles and YouTube videos[6]. The theory also influenced how the entertainment industry thinks about fan engagement. Benioff and Weiss earning their showrunner roles by guessing Jon's mother became a famous Hollywood anecdote about fan knowledge translating into creative authority[8]. ## Fun Facts - Rodrick Su's 1997 Usenet post predicted both Jon's parentage AND his eventual romance with Daenerys, getting both right nearly twenty years before the show confirmed them[7]. - The original "Lyanna + Rhaegar = Jon Thread" on Westeros.org ran for 23 separate parts over five years, making it one of the longest-running single-theory discussion threads in fandom history[4]. - The Wiki of Ice and Fire maintains a dedicated "Jon Snow/Theories" page cataloging every proposed mother for Jon, including Ashara Dayne, Wylla, and a fisherman's daughter, with extensive evidence breakdowns for each[12]. - Benioff and Weiss secured the rights to adapt *Game of Thrones* partly by correctly answering Martin's question about Jon Snow's mother during their pitch meeting[8]. - The shorthand "R+L=J" likely emerged because early internet forums and Usenet made spoiler-free discussion easier with coded references that only book readers would recognize[7]. ## Frequently Asked Questions ### What is R+L=J? R+L=J is a fan theory stating that Jon Snow from *A Song of Ice and Fire* is the son of Rhaegar Targaryen (R) and Lyanna Stark (L), not the bastard son of Ned Stark as initially presented[4]. ### Where did R+L=J come from? The earliest known online statement of the theory was posted by a user named Rodrick Su to the Usenet group rec.arts.sf.written on September 18, 1997, roughly one year after *A Game of Thrones* was published[7]. ### What does R+L=J mean? The letters stand for Rhaegar + Lyanna = Jon. It's algebraic shorthand expressing the theory that Prince Rhaegar Targaryen and Lyanna Stark are Jon Snow's biological parents[10]. ### How do you use R+L=J? It's used as fandom shorthand in discussions about Jon Snow's parentage, as a celebratory declaration when the theory was confirmed ("R+L=J IS CONFIRMED"), and as a template for similar fan theory notation in other franchises[9]. ### Is R+L=J still popular? As a theory, it was confirmed by *Game of Thrones* in 2016 and is now established canon[7]. The notation itself is a classic piece of internet fandom history, widely recognized among *Game of Thrones* and ASOIAF fans. ### Was R+L=J confirmed in the show? Yes. The season six finale of *Game of Thrones* (2016) showed Bran's vision of Lyanna Stark giving birth at the Tower of Joy, with the scene cutting directly from the baby's face to adult Jon Snow[9]. Season seven added that Rhaegar and Lyanna were secretly married, making Jon a legitimate Targaryen heir[7]. ### Who first proposed R+L=J? Rodrick Su posted the earliest known version of the theory to Usenet on September 18, 1997[7]. Many readers likely reached the same conclusion independently, but Rodrick Su's post is the oldest documented instance. ### What evidence supports R+L=J in the books? Key evidence includes: Ned finding Lyanna dying in a "bed of blood" at the Tower of Joy, her making him swear a promise, Ned's refusal to discuss Jon's mother, Ned's well-established honor making infidelity unlikely, and Rhaegar's Kingsguard protecting the tower rather than fighting in battle[2][12]. ### How did R+L=J spread online? From Usenet in 1997, it moved to dedicated forums like Westeros.org in the 2000s, then to Reddit's /r/asoiaf in 2011, and finally into mainstream media through fan theory roundup articles from 2013 onward[4][7]. ### Why did Ned keep Jon's parentage secret? According to the theory, Lyanna made Ned promise to protect her son. Robert Baratheon wanted every Targaryen dead, so revealing Jon's true heritage would have put the child in mortal danger[2]. ### Did George R.R. Martin confirm R+L=J? Martin tested showrunners Benioff and Weiss by asking them who Jon Snow's mother was during their pitch to adapt the series, and they answered correctly[8]. The show's confirmation aligns with Martin's stated plans for the books. ### What is the Tower of Joy? The Tower of Joy is a location in Dorne where Lyanna Stark was kept during Robert's Rebellion, guarded by three members of the Kingsguard[6]. Ned Stark fought his way in after the war and found Lyanna dying there, likely from complications of childbirth[10]. ## References 1. [The ultimate guide to 'Game of Thrones' conspiracy theories]() 2. [All the Game of Thrones Fan Theories You Absolutely Need to Know]() 3. [The 7 Wildest Theories About 'Game Of Thrones' | HuffPost Entertainment]() 4. [R+L=J - Know Your Meme]() 5. [Internet meme]() 6. [The Best ‘Game of Thrones’ Fan Conspiracy Theories]() 7. [‘Game of Thrones’ Is Gearing Up to Finally Address the “R+L=J” Theory for Good]() 8. [R+L=J: Game of Thrones fan theory explains Jon Snow’s parentage | Vox]() 9. [Is 'R+L=J' Just a Fan Theory? We May Get to Know More Soon | Buzz News - News18]() 10. [Did Last Night's 'Game Of Thrones' Reveal The Identity Of Jon Snow's Mother?]() 11. ["Game Of Thrones" Just Revealed Something Huge And People Aren't OK]() 12. [Game of Thrones: R+L=J Theory Explained]() 13. [What's R+L=J and why is everyone I know all 'it is... - life's daughter, death's bride]() 14. [The Lyanna + Rhaegar = Jon Thread - Page 31 - General (ASoIaF) - A Forum of Ice and Fire - A Song of Ice and Fire & Game of Thrones]() 15. [Jon Snow/Theories - A Wiki of Ice and Fire]() 16. [R + L = J Part XXIII - General (ASoIaF) - A Forum of Ice and Fire - A Song of Ice and Fire & Game of Thrones]() 17. [The Best ‘Game of Thrones’ Fan Conspiracy Theories]() 18. [If I look back I am lost.]() 19. [Search 'Lyanna Stark and Rhaegar Targaryen' on DeviantArt - Discover The Largest Online Art Gallery and Community]() 20. [All the Game of Thrones Fan Theories You Absolutely Need to Know]() 21. [The ultimate guide to 'Game of Thrones' conspiracy theories]() --- Source: https://meme.com/memes/rlj Published by meme.com — The Internet Meme Library