Disney Premieres the Newest Princess

“Moana,” Disney's newest princess is in theaters today! This exciting and adventurous new film will be sure to keep you on your toes!

Before the release of Moana, there were originally eight princesses including Snow White, Cinderella, Aurora, Ariel, Belle, Jasmine, Pocahontas, and Mulan. Each princess is either royal by birth, royal by marriage, or considered a “princess” due to her significant portrayal of heroism. However, the princess line-up has expanded with three more princesses and Moana marks the 12th.

These twelve princesses have distinct similarities despite appearing in separate films spanning nearly eight decades. They have the ability to communicate with animals even if the animals do not respond; they are known for their inner and outer beauty; and each princess has a romance that is resolved by the end of the film. The original princesses are quiet, classy, graceful and romantic day-dreamers. In the early movies, our princesses played a “damsel in distress” role - let’s be honest, Snow White and Aurora were asleep for half their respective movies. Each holds an inner strength through love and compassion, a strength that helps the heroines make it through their troubles, but in the end, a man comes to save the day.

As the years evolved, so did our princesses. Mulan marks the first step in creating stronger princesses. She defies all conceptions of women for her time and joins the army. She is an integral member of her team, helping lead the way to defeat the Huns. Three years later Brave premiered with Merida as the leading lady. Merida is a strong-willed girl. She wants to break the compliant path that her ancestors laid out for her. She is one of the first princesses to excel at a sport and she is the first princess to not have a love interest. Merida finds herself in a sticky situation and uses her own cunning and compassion to fix her mistakes. This is the message that we want to send to our kids. You don’t need someone else to make you successful. It’s ok to ask for help along the way, but inner strength, courage, and wit will take you a long way.

Ti Leaf Hula Skirt

Like Merida, Moana will not have a love interest. The story is based on the motifs of Polynesian myths, taking place on the Pacific Islands 2,000 years ago. Moana, age 14, sets off into the ocean by boat, seeking the legendary island fabled by her ancestors. She is joined by Maui, a demigod who guides her in her quest. Her journey is long and difficult but also beautiful, and reminds viewers to always be in search of their own identities.