How to Train Your Dragon: Homecoming - Symbolism & Philosophy
Symbols & Motifs
Stoick's Old Journals
The journals symbolize a past defined by fear and misunderstanding. They represent the old history that Hiccup must counteract—a history based on ignorance that threatens to repeat itself in his children's generation.
Hiccup's children, Zephyr and Nuffink, find the journals in the attic and, upon reading them, develop a deep fear of dragons, which ignites the main plot of the short film.
The Snoggletog Pageant
The pageant represents the active and conscious effort to shape a legacy. It is a tool for storytelling that allows the older generation to pass on their values and history to the younger generation in a way they can understand and appreciate.
To combat his children's newfound fear, Hiccup decides to bring back the Snoggletog Pageant to tell the story of how Vikings and dragons made peace. The chaotic but heartfelt performance becomes the film's centerpiece.
Toothless's Drawing in the Sand
This symbolizes the enduring and unspoken bond between Hiccup and Toothless. It demonstrates that the longing and memory are mutual, and that Toothless, despite being the king of his own world, still cherishes his past with Hiccup.
In the Hidden World, Toothless draws a picture of Hiccup and himself in the sand to show his family, which is what inspires the Night Lights to fly to New Berk.
Philosophical Questions
How do we keep important memories alive when tangible proof is gone?
The film directly tackles this question through the absence of dragons. Hiccup realizes that simply telling stories isn't enough; he must create an immersive experience—the pageant—to make the memory tangible and emotionally resonant for a new generation. It suggests that preserving memory is an active, creative process, not a passive one.
Can history be defined by the stories we choose to tell?
"Homecoming" demonstrates that history is malleable and dependent on perspective. Stoick's journals tell one version of history—dragons as monsters. Hiccup's pageant tells another—dragons as friends. The film argues for the conscious shaping of historical narratives to promote positive values like empathy and understanding over fear.
Core Meaning
The core meaning of "How to Train Your Dragon: Homecoming" is that the strongest bonds of love and friendship transcend time and distance. The film champions the power of storytelling and tradition as essential tools for preserving legacy and passing down history to new generations. It serves as a poignant reminder that even when loved ones are physically apart, their memory and impact remain as long as they are held in the heart.