Jadis, commonly referred to as the White Witch, is a fictional character and the primary antagonist of C. S. Lewis’s famous fantasy novel The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe and a major figure throughout The Chronicles of Narnia.
Jadis, commonly referred to as the White Witch, is a fictional character and the primary antagonist of C. S. Lewis’s famous fantasy novel The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe and a major figure throughout The Chronicles of Narnia.
Jadis is not native to Narnia. She originated from an ancient, dying world called Charn. In The Magician's Nephew (the chronological prequel), it is revealed that she destroyed her home world by speaking the Deplorable Word—a catastrophic magic spell—to defeat her sister in a war for power, wiping out all living things on Charn except herself.
According to Narnian lore (noted by Mr. Beaver), Jadis is not human. She is descended from Lilith (Adam’s mythic first wife) and Giant blood.
After finding her way to Narnia at its creation, Jadis eventually usurped power and declared herself Queen. She placed Narnia under an enchantment that brought a 100-year winter, famously described as:
"Always winter, but never Christmas."
She rules through fear and magic, utilizing her magic wand to turn enemies and traitors into stone statues, filling her courtyard with her victims.
She manipulates Edmund Pevensie using magical Turkish Delight and promises of power, turning him against his siblings.
According to the "Deep Magic from the Dawn of Time," Jadis holds the right to execute any traitor in Narnia, making Edmund’s life legally forfeit to her.
Aslan surrenders himself in Edmund’s place. Jadis humbles and executes Aslan on the Stone Table, believing she has secured permanent victory.
Aslan rises from the dead via the "Deeper Magic from Before the Dawn of Time." In the Battle of Beruna, Aslan personally kills Jadis, freeing Narnia from her reign.
She is imposing, extremely tall, with skin as white as snow, salt-white hair/face, and a cold, beautiful yet terrifying countenance.
She is ruthless, arrogant, cunning, and completely devoid of empathy or remorse. She views power as the ultimate virtue.
In the Christian allegory of The Chronicles of Narnia, Jadis represents Satan/Evil, temptation, and the legalistic demand for death/judgment under the law, which is ultimately overcome by Aslan's sacrificial redemption.
Barbara Kellerman played her in the classic 1988 BBC television adaptation, while Tilda Swinton delivered an iconic performance as Jadis in Disney's 2005 movie The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe. Swinton reprised the role in 2008's The Chronicles of Narnia: Prince Caspian and in 2010's The Chronicles of Narnia: The Voyage of the Dawn Treader. Actress Emma Mackey will portray Jadis in Netflix's 2027 movie Narnia: The Magician's Nephew.