symbol in Chronicles of Narnia

I found it interesting that the symbols in Narnia, especially the symbols in relation to evil and the kingdom of the white witch were the same symbols associated with old pagan religion of the Isles. For instance the battle between Aslan and the white witch takes place in the spring. The first of May is the goddess of the Isle’s primary holiday. Christ’s resurrection is also celebrated in the spring. Yet in the spring, the white witch is defeated. She goes to battle wearing a crown of golden stag horns—symbolizing both hunting prowess and fertility rites as well as kingship of the wood. Her punishers are wolves, aligning with the ancient practice of werewolves and shapeshifting. I thought it endearing that Mr Tumnus was half goat—a pleasant reminder to all of us that we are all part goat, in keeping with the parable of the parting of the sheep and the goats. The white witch’s shoulder ornament on the day of battle was the same as the Morrigan’s sacred crow or raven. Legend has it that if her crow was seen by a warrior on the way to battle, he would perish in the battle. She is white and she is dark. She is the goddess of death, war, prophesy and love.

There were many others. This is just a start. Knowing some of the ancient religious images simply made the movie a larger experience. Another movie with similar symbol and attention to the old religion is “Mists of Avalon.”