The Symbolism of the Forest in Sleeping Beauty: Protection, Enchantment and Awakening
Trees and forests play an important role in many fairy tales, and “Sleeping Beauty” is no exception. This classic fairy tale, also known as “Sleeping Beauty,” is steeped in symbolism that focuses on the forest.
Sleeping Beauty's Fairy Tale
“Sleeping Beauty” tells the story of a king's daughter who falls into a deep sleep due to the curse of an evil fairy. On her sixteenth birthday, the princess pricked herself on a spinning wheel, as predicted by the fairy, and falls into an enchanted sleep that will last a hundred years. Only a prince's kiss can wake her.
After the princess's spell, a dense thorn forest grows around the castle, making it completely hidden and inaccessible to the outside world. This magical barrier protects the sleeping princess and the rest of the kingdom from intruders until the right prince arrives to break the curse.
Symbolism of the Doornbos
The thorn forest in “Sleeping Beauty” is more than just a physical obstacle; it's rich in symbolism and meaning:
