Character

Aslan

Also known as the Lion, Great Lion

The great Lion, creator and sovereign of Narnia. He appears at decisive moments throughout the chronicles, at once comforting and untameable, and guides each visitor according to what they need to learn.

This encyclopedia follows the whole story. Plot details from all seven chronicles may appear below.

Primary sources

In the chronicles

These links are generated from exact-name appearances in the supplied novels. Each opens the cited paragraph in the local reader.

The Magician's Nephew12 cited passages⌄

Chapter X · paragraph 3"Hail, Aslan. We hear and obey. We are awake. We love. We think. We speak. We know."Open passage →
Chapter X · paragraph 6"Creatures, I give you yourselves," said the strong, happy voice of Aslan. "I give to you forever this land of Narnia. I give you the woods, the fruits, the rivers. I give you the stars…Open passage →
Chapter XI · paragraph 13…lephant, of course; her husband, as you remember, had been called away by Aslan). "And yet, you know, it might be an animal of some kind. Mightn't the whitish lump at this end be a sort of fa…Open passage →
Chapter XI · paragraph 24…said the Elephant. "Because it may be the Neevil, and it must be shown to Aslan. What do most of us think? Is it an animal or something of the tree kind."Open passage →
Chapter XII · paragraph 2"Son of Adam," said Aslan. "Are you ready to undo the wrong that you have done to my sweet country of Narnia on the very day of its birth…Open passage →
Chapter XII · paragraph 7"My son, my son," said Aslan. "I know. Grief is great. Only you and I in this land know that yet. Let us be good to one another. But I have …Open passage →
Chapter XIII · paragraph 44…had done the right thing: but whenever he remembered the shining tears in Aslan's eyes he became sure.Open passage →
Chapter XIII · paragraph 45… creatures were gathered together by the riverside. And soon he could see Aslan himself in the midst of them. Fledge glided down, spread out his four legs, closed his wings, and landed canter…Open passage →
Chapter XIV · paragraph 1"Well done," said Aslan in a voice that made the earth shake. Then Digory knew that all the Narnians had heard those words and that the…Open passage →
Chapter XIV · paragraph 4"It is well thrown," said Aslan. "Let us now proceed to the Coronation of King Frank of Narnia and Helen his Queen."Open passage →
Chapter XV · paragraph 1"You need no Rings when I am with you," said the voice of Aslan. The children blinked and looked about them. They were once more in the Wood between the Worlds; Uncle Andrew l…Open passage →
Chapter XV · paragraph 2"Come," said Aslan, "it is time that you went back. But there are two things to see to first; a warning, and a command. Look here,…Open passage →

The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe20 cited passages⌄

Chapter VII · paragraph 34"They say Aslan is on the move--perhaps has already landed."Open passage →
Chapter VII · paragraph 35And now a very curious thing happened. None of the children knew who Aslan was any more than you do; but the moment the Beaver had spoken these words everyone felt quite different. Perha…Open passage →
Chapter VIII · paragraph 12…Adam," said Mr. Beaver, "no good your trying, of all people. But now that Aslan is on the move--"Open passage →
Chapter VIII · paragraph 13"Oh, yes! Tell us about Aslan!" said several voices at once; for once again that strange feeling--like the first signs of spring, like good n…Open passage →
Chapter IX · paragraph 1…he imagined it. And then he had listened until Mr. Beaver told them about Aslan and until he had heard the whole arrangement for meeting Aslan at the Stone Table. It was then that he began ve…Open passage →
Chapter IX · paragraph 3…he is the rightful Queen really. Anyway, she'll be better than that awful Aslan!" At least, that was the excuse he made in his own mind for what he was doing. It wasn't a very good excuse, ho…Open passage →
Chapter X · paragraph 36…said he. "She has kept me out for a long time, but I have got in at last. Aslan is on the move. The Witch's magic is weakening."Open passage →
Chapter XI · paragraph 34…g. What are we to do? Your winter has been destroyed, I tell you! This is Aslan's doing."Open passage →
Chapter XII · paragraph 2…known for certain (as the Witch did) that this was what would happen when Aslan came to Narnia. But they all knew that it was her spells which had produced the endless winter; and therefore t…Open passage →
Chapter XII · paragraph 7Aslan stood in the centre of a crowd of creatures who had grouped themselves around him in the shape of a half-moon. …Open passage →
Chapter XIII · paragraph 6… here?" said the Dwarf. He did not dare, even now, to mention the name of Aslan to his mistress.Open passage →
Chapter XIII · paragraph 23…d unicorns and deer and birds (they were of course the rescue party which Aslan had sent in the last chapter) all set off to go back to the Stone Table, carrying Edmund with them. But if they…Open passage →
Chapter XIV · paragraph 1As soon as the Witch had gone Aslan said, "We must move from this place at once, it will be wanted for other purposes. We shall encamp to-night at …Open passage →
Chapter XIV · paragraph 4During the first part of the journey Aslan explained to Peter his plan of campaign. "As soon as she has finished her business in these parts," he said, "t…Open passage →
Chapter XV · paragraph 3…ould have trembled with fear; but now the sadness and shame and horror of Aslan's death so filled their minds that they hardly thought of it.Open passage →
Chapter XV · paragraph 4…clouds were passing across her, but still they could see the shape of the great Lion lying dead in his bonds. And down they both knelt in the wet grass and kissed his cold face and stroked his bea…Open passage →
Chapter XVI · paragraph 2"Hush," said Susan, "Aslan's doing something."Open passage →
Chapter XVI · paragraph 5…along the edge of the newspaper. It was like that now. For a second after Aslan had breathed upon him the stone lion looked just the same. Then a tiny streak of gold began to run along his wh…Open passage →
Chapter XVII · paragraph 1…r their arrival. Most of the enemy had been killed in the first charge of Aslan and his companions; and when those who were still living saw that the Witch was dead they either gave themselve…Open passage →
Chapter XVII · paragraph 2"It was all Edmund's doing, Aslan," Peter was saying. "We'd have been beaten if it hadn't been for him. The Witch was-turning our troops into sto…Open passage →

The Horse and His Boy7 cited passages⌄

Chapter IV · paragraph 52"Then in the name of Aslan," said Susan, "let us leave Tashbaan this very day."Open passage →
Chapter V · paragraph 51… Fauns and Dryads in the heart of the woods and, who knows?--we might see Aslan himself!"Open passage →
Chapter XI · paragraph 65… the form of a lion. And of course he knew none of the true stories about Aslan, the great Lion, the son of the Emperor-over-sea, the King above all High Kings in Narnia. But after one glance…Open passage →
Chapter XIV · paragraph 16"So I do," answered Bree. "But when I speak of the Lion of course I mean Aslan, the great deliverer of Narnia who drove away the Witch and the Winter. All Narnians swear by him."Open passage →
Chapter XIV · paragraph 23For just as he said the word Whiskers one of Aslan's had actually tickled his ear. Bree shot away like an arrow to the other side of the enclosure and there turne…Open passage →
Chapter XV · paragraph 29…tly still. Of course he did the same himself. And then he saw the reason. Aslan was among them though no-one had seen him coming. Rabadash started as the immense shape of the Lion paced softl…Open passage →
Chapter XV · paragraph 30"Rabadash," said Aslan. "Take heed. Your doom is very near, but you may still avoid it. Forget your pride (what have you to be proud o…Open passage →

Prince Caspian24 cited passages⌄

Chapter IV · paragraph 13…or ever so long and everyone had a lovely time, and it was all because of Aslan----"Open passage →
Chapter IV · paragraph 15"Oh, don't you know?" he said. "Aslan is the great Lion who comes from over the sea."Open passage →
Chapter V · paragraph 34…the past, and they will set all to rights. It may be that it will call up Aslan himself. Take it, King Caspian: but do not use it except at your greatest need. And now, haste, haste, haste. T…Open passage →
Chapter V · paragraph 68…eter and the rest that reigned at Cair Paravel, as firmly as I believe in Aslan himself."Open passage →
Chapter VI · paragraph 9"We should not have Aslan for our friend if we brought in that rabble," said Trufflehunter as they came away from the cave of the Black D…Open passage →
Chapter VI · paragraph 10"Oh, Aslan!" said Trumpkin, cheerily but contemptuously. "What matters much more is that you wouldn't have me."Open passage →
Chapter VII · paragraph 33…All that part is friendly to us and hateful to our enemies. We must go to Aslan's How."Open passage →
Chapter VII · paragraph 34"Aslan's How?" said several voices. "We do not know what it is."Open passage →
Chapter VIII · paragraph 11"But we want to be here, don't we," said Lucy, "if Aslan wants us?"Open passage →
Chapter VIII · paragraph 54…ight like you Dwarfs." Then he turned to the others. "What Trumpkin calls Aslan's How is obviously the Stone Table itself. You remember it was about half a day's march, or a little less, from…Open passage →
Chapter IX · paragraph 19…hat's right. Cross it and strike uphill, and we'll be at the Stone Table (Aslan's How, I mean) by eight or nine o'clock. I hope King Caspian will give us a good breakfast!"Open passage →
Chapter IX · paragraph 61"The Lion," said Lucy. "Aslan himself. Didn't you see?" Her face had changed completely and her eyes shone.Open passage →
Chapter X · paragraph 3…on as possible was the Great River below them, and Beruna, and the way to Aslan's How.Open passage →
Chapter X · paragraph 42"Aslan, Aslan. Dear Aslan," sobbed Lucy. "At last."Open passage →
Chapter XI · paragraph 7…ck going down the gorge. Still--at this hour of the night. And why should Aslan be invisible to us? He never used to be. It's not like him. What does the D.L.F. say?"Open passage →
Chapter XI · paragraph 15…hought of saying to Susan. But she forgot them when she fixed her eyes on Aslan. He turned and walked at a slow pace about thirty yards ahead of them. The others had only Lucy's directions to…Open passage →
Chapter XII · paragraph 14…ster magician, you know-all; are you still asking us to hang our hopes on Aslan and King Peter and all the rest of it?"Open passage →
Chapter XII · paragraph 17"The help will come," said Trufflehunter. "I stand by Aslan. Have patience, like us beasts. The help will come. It may be even now at the door."Open passage →
Chapter XIII · paragraph 1"Now," said Peter, as they finished their meal, "Aslan and the girls (that's Queen Susan and Queen Lucy, Caspian) are somewhere close. We don't know when he will act.…Open passage →
Chapter XIII · paragraph 7…the best part of the day sending heralds to and fro and all that. By then Aslan may have done something. And at least I can inspect the army and strengthen the position. I will send the chall…Open passage →
Chapter XIV · paragraph 2"I wish Aslan had turned up before it came to this," said Trumpkin.Open passage →
Chapter XIV · paragraph 5"It's the Dryads and Hamadryads and Silvans," said. Trufflehunter. "Aslan has waked them."Open passage →
Chapter XV · paragraph 1At the sight of Aslan the cheeks of the Telmarine soldiers became the colour of cold gravy, their knees knocked together, and many fe…Open passage →
Chapter XV · paragraph 3"Welcome, Prince," said Aslan. "Do you feel yourself sufficient to take up the Kingship of Narnia?"Open passage →

The Voyage of the Dawn Treader22 cited passages⌄

Chapter I · paragraph 46…k, she knew at once by its exquisite delicacy) and the flat gold image of Aslan the Lion on the forward wall above the door. All this she took in in a flash, for Caspian immediately opened a …Open passage →
Chapter II · paragraph 15"Right. Well, on my coronation day, with Aslan's approval, I swore an oath that, if once I established peace in Narnia, I would sail east myself for a year an…Open passage →
Chapter II · paragraph 18… eastern end of the world? And what might we find there? I expect to find Aslan's own country. It is always from the east, across the sea, that the great Lion comes to us."Open passage →
Chapter IV · paragraph 48…ong the water. Only one, to Reepicheep's delight, said, "And beyond that, Aslan's country. But that's beyond the end of the world and you can't get there." But when they questioned him he cou…Open passage →
Chapter VII · paragraph 52"I think you've seen Aslan," said Edmund.Open passage →
Chapter VII · paragraph 53"Aslan!" said Eustace. "I've heard that name mentioned several times since we joined the Dawn Treader. And I felt--I d…Open passage →
Chapter VIII · paragraph 70"By Aslan!" said Caspian. "You don't mean to say----?"Open passage →
Chapter VIII · paragraph 82…the size that mattered. Nobody dared to ask what it was. They knew it was Aslan.Open passage →
Chapter X · paragraph 22… been no picture before, she found the great face of a lion, of The Lion, Aslan himself, staring into hers. It was painted such a bright gold that it seemed to be coming towards her out of th…Open passage →
Chapter X · paragraph 37…elight and with her arms stretched out. For what stood in the doorway was Aslan himself, the Lion, the highest of all High Kings. And he was solid and real and warm and he let her kiss him an…Open passage →
Chapter XI · paragraph 1Lucy followed the great Lion out into the passage and at once she saw coming towards them an old man, barefoot, dressed in a red robe. His w…Open passage →
Chapter XI · paragraph 5"All in good time, Coriakin," said Aslan.Open passage →
Chapter XII · paragraph 21"And now, in Aslan's name, forward," cried Caspian. "A slow, steady stroke. And let every man be silent and keep his ears open for…Open passage →
Chapter XII · paragraph 57Lucy leant her head on the edge of the fighting-top and whispered, "Aslan, Aslan, if ever you loved us at all, send us help now." The darkness did not grow any less, but she began to fe…Open passage →
Chapter XIII · paragraph 55"Travellers who have come from far to Aslan's table," said the girl. "Why do you not eat and drink?"Open passage →
Chapter XIII · paragraph 62… before. It was a knife like it that the White Witch used when she killed Aslan at the Stone Table long ago."Open passage →
Chapter XIV · paragraph 45…t with my four paws. And when I can swim no longer, if I have not reached Aslan's country, or shot over the edge of the world in some vast cataract, I shall sink with my nose to the sunrise a…Open passage →
Chapter XIV · paragraph 47…ir names to us in a schedule." He paused and went on in a quicker voice, "Aslan's mane!" he exclaimed. "Do you think that the privilege of seeing the last things is to be bought for a song? W…Open passage →
Chapter XV · paragraph 1… streamed overhead and vanished astern on their way to their breakfast at Aslan's Table. A little later they came flying back and vanished into the east.Open passage →
Chapter XV · paragraph 57"Aslan's country perhaps," said the Mouse, its eyes shining. "Or perhaps there isn't any bottom. Perhaps it goes down …Open passage →
Chapter XVI · paragraph 35"By the Mane of Aslan," said Caspian, "I had thought you were all my subjects here, not my schoolmasters."Open passage →
Chapter XVI · paragraph 48… have behaved decently for all the good I did with my temper and swagger. Aslan has spoken to me. No--I don't mean he was actually here. He wouldn't fit into the cabin, for one thing. But tha…Open passage →

The Silver Chair28 cited passages⌄

Chapter I · paragraph 53"They call him Aslan in that place," said Eustace.Open passage →
Chapter I · paragraph 64And he began, "Aslan, Aslan, Aslan!"Open passage →
Chapter II · paragraph 44… your travels who will ask you to do something in my name, in the name of Aslan."Open passage →
Chapter II · paragraph 46"Child," said Aslan, in a gentler voice than he had yet used, "perhaps you do not see quite as well as you think. But the first ste…Open passage →
Chapter III · paragraph 5At that moment Aslan and the signs rushed back into her mind. She had forgotten all about them for the last half-hour.Open passage →
Chapter III · paragraph 10"It's Aslan--the Lion--says you've got to," said Jill despairingly. "I've seen him."Open passage →
Chapter IV · paragraph 39…we knew!" said Glimfeather. "You see, there has been a rumour lately that Aslan himself has been seen in the islands--in Terebinthia, I think it was. And the King said he would make one more …Open passage →
Chapter IV · paragraph 55"We know she didn't," said Scrubb. "Aslan told Pole he was still alive somewhere."Open passage →
Chapter V · paragraph 41"We've got to start by finding a ruined city of giants," said Jill. "Aslan said so."Open passage →
Chapter V · paragraph 60… than the beds in the wigwam were hard or the wood was wet. I don't think Aslan would ever have sent us if there was so little chance as all that."Open passage →
Chapter VI · paragraph 63…'t know what a giant's idea of being "gentle" might be, and that, anyway, Aslan's signs had said nothing about staying with giants, gentle or otherwise. The children, on the other hand, who w…Open passage →
Chapter VI · paragraph 65… meals and how lovely it would be to get indoors. They never talked about Aslan, or even about the lost prince, now. And Jill gave up her habit of repeating the signs over to herself every ni…Open passage →
Chapter VII · paragraph 26…ome on! Bother the signs," said Pole. "Something about someone mentioning Aslan's name, I think. But I'm jolly well not going to give a recitation here."Open passage →
Chapter VIII · paragraph 24…at she had forgotten them all. At that, a great horror came over her. And Aslan took her up in his jaws (she could feel his lips and his breath but not his teeth) and carried her to the windo…Open passage →
Chapter VIII · paragraph 38…ee the lettering? Or could it have come there since last night. Could he--Aslan--have put it there in the night? I had such a queer dream." And she told them all about it.Open passage →
Chapter IX · paragraph 12"We've brought the anger of Aslan on us," he said. "That's what comes of not attending to the signs. We're under a curse, I expect. If it was all…Open passage →
Chapter IX · paragraph 59… in the whole world for which each had secretly been hoping; the voice of Aslan. It was a dark, flat voice--almost, if you know what that means, a pitch-black voice. It said:Open passage →
Chapter X · paragraph 59…n't you mind him," said Puddleglum. "There are no accidents. Our guide is Aslan; and he was there when the giant King caused the letters to be cut, and he knew already all things that would c…Open passage →
Chapter XI · paragraph 42…free. By all fears and all loves, by the bright skies of Overland, by the great Lion, by Aslan himself, I charge you----"Open passage →
Chapter XI · paragraph 44…e use of learning the signs if they weren't going to obey them? Yet could Aslan have really meant them to unbind anyone--even a lunatic--who asked it in his name? Could it be a mere accident?…Open passage →
Chapter XII · paragraph 33"Why, there it is!" cried the Prince. "Of course! The blessing of Aslan upon this honest marsh-wiggle. We have all been dreaming, these last few minutes. How could we have forgotten i…Open passage →
Chapter XII · paragraph 46"There's Aslan."Open passage →
Chapter XIII · paragraph 14…riving into the city! By my head, the sea's rising. The flood is upon us. Aslan be praised, this castle stands on high ground. But the water comes on grimly fast."Open passage →
Chapter XIII · paragraph 25"Doubtless," said the Prince, "this signifies that Aslan will be our good lord, whether he means us to live or die. And all's one, for that. Now, by my counsel, we shal…Open passage →
Chapter XIV · paragraph 54"Courage, friends," came Prince Rilian's voice. "Whether we live or die Aslan will be our good lord."Open passage →
Chapter XV · paragraph 35… look is in the face of all true kings of Narnia, who rule by the will of Aslan and sit at Cair Paravel on the throne of Peter the High King. Instantly every head was bared and every knee was…Open passage →
Chapter XVI · paragraph 10…esty's ship is expected in harbour any moment. It seems that the King met Aslan--I don't know whether it was in a vision or face to face--before he had sailed far, and Aslan turned him back a…Open passage →
Chapter XVI · paragraph 28…ties of herbs and roots, the influences of the planets, the nine names of Aslan with their meanings, and things of that sort. But however sore and jolted the two humans were, they would now g…Open passage →

The Last Battle31 cited passages⌄

Chapter I · paragraph 28"I don't think it would be respectful to the Great Lion, to Aslan himself, if an ass like me went about dressed up in a lionskin," said Puzzle.Open passage →
Chapter I · paragraph 43…, wonderful," said the Ape. "If anyone saw you now, they'd think you were Aslan, the Great Lion, himself."Open passage →
Chapter II · paragraph 5… is more than a week ago that the first birds came flying over us saying, Aslan is here, Aslan has come to Narnia again. And after that it was the squirrels. They had not seen him, but they s…Open passage →
Chapter II · paragraph 14"I drink first to Aslan and truth, Sire, and secondly to your Majesty."Open passage →
Chapter III · paragraph 2"No, Sire," panted the horse. "Aslan is here. It is all by his orders. He has commanded----"Open passage →
Chapter III · paragraph 11"And then," said the King, "the Horse said it was by Aslan's orders. The Rat said the same. They all say Aslan is here. But if it were true?"Open passage →
Chapter IV · paragraph 6…eir shrill voices, "we are so sorry for you. We daren't untie you because Aslan might be angry with us. But we've brought you your supper."Open passage →
Chapter IV · paragraph 13…e let them tie you up. We would, we would indeed. But we can't go against Aslan."Open passage →
Chapter V · paragraph 15…n Waste against certain perilous outlaws who dwelled there in his day. By Aslan's good will I was not robbed of my keys. In that tower we shall find store of weapons and mail and some victual…Open passage →
Chapter V · paragraph 27"No," said Eustace. "Never even saw them. Aslan did it all for us in his own way without any Rings."Open passage →
Chapter VI · paragraph 4…s spoiled many notable plans in the wars. And now friends, in the name of Aslan let us go forward."Open passage →
Chapter VI · paragraph 47"The false Aslan," said Jill.Open passage →
Chapter VII · paragraph 4The two soldiers glared at him in surprise but the Dwarfs all answered, "Aslan's orders, Aslan's orders. He's sold us. What can we do against him?"Open passage →
Chapter VII · paragraph 7…id Tirian, pulling Puzzle forward into the light. "It has all been a lie. Aslan has not come to Narnia at all. You have been cheated by the Ape. This is the thing he brought out of the stable…Open passage →
Chapter VIII · paragraph 21…ten and threatened with death unless he would say that he believed it was Aslan who was brought out and shown to them by firelight every night. In fact he was going to be executed this very m…Open passage →
Chapter VIII · paragraph 23…uld make up to explain that. If the Beasts asked night after night to see Aslan, and no Aslan was brought out, surely even the simplest of them would get suspicious.Open passage →
Chapter IX · paragraph 2…o go back to Stable Hill, proclaim the truth, and take the adventure that Aslan sends us. And if, by a great marvel, we defeat those thirty Calormenes who are with the Ape, then to turn again…Open passage →
Chapter IX · paragraph 9When Tirian realised that the two strangers could not get home (unless Aslan suddenly whisked them away) he next wanted them to go across the southern mountains into Archenland where they …Open passage →
Chapter X · paragraph 3"And after a horrid thing like that, Aslan--Tashlan--is angrier than ever. He says he's been a great deal too good to you, coming out every night to be lo…Open passage →
Chapter X · paragraph 5…nkey says," it shouted. "We know why he isn't going to bring his precious Aslan out. I'll tell you why: because he hasn't got him. He never had anything except an old donkey with a lionskin o…Open passage →
Chapter XI · paragraph 15…You Dogs, just behind us. Go in among them after the swordplay has begun. Aslan to our aid!"Open passage →
Chapter XII · paragraph 21…air friend," said Jewel, nosing her gently. "It may be for us the door to Aslan's country and we shall sup at his table tonight."Open passage →
Chapter XII · paragraph 41…one, Monster, and take your lawful prey to your own place: in the name of Aslan and Aslan's great Father, the Emperor-over-sea."Open passage →
Chapter XIII · paragraph 62"Earth-man," said Tirian, "she is the Queen Lucy, sent hither by Aslan out of the deep past. And it is for her sake alone that I, Tirian, your lawful King, do not cut all your heads …Open passage →
Chapter XIII · paragraph 67…s afraid. There stood his heart's desire, huge and real, the golden Lion, Aslan himself, and already the others were kneeling in a circle round his forepaws and burying their hands and faces …Open passage →
Chapter XIV · paragraph 1They all stood beside Aslan, on his right side, and looked through the open doorway.Open passage →
Chapter XIV · paragraph 2…en where the dark shapes of the trees ended and the stars began. But when Aslan had roared yet again, out on their left they saw another black shape. That is, they saw another patch where the…Open passage →
Chapter XV · paragraph 1…nd we must wait upon a monkey, and when it began to be said that Tash and Aslan were one, then the world became dark in my eyes. For always since I was a boy, I have served Tash and my great …Open passage →
Chapter XV · paragraph 6…rees till lo! in a narrow place between two rocks there came to meet me a great Lion. The speed of him was like the ostrich, and his size was an elephant's; his hair was like pure gold and the bri…Open passage →
Chapter XVI · paragraph 37…f the world, and, beyond the end, the huge mountain which they had called Aslan's country. But now she saw that it was part of a great chain of mountains which ringed round the whole world. I…Open passage →
Chapter XVI · paragraph 43…he real countries--are only spurs jutting out from the great mountains of Aslan. We have only to walk along the ridge, upward and inward, till it joins on. And listen! There is King Frank's h…Open passage →

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