Princess Aura
Princess Aura is a female extraterrestrial character who features in Flash Gordon.
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Biography
Princess Aura was a daughter of Emperor Ming the Merciless who was the ruler of the planet Mongo thus making her a princess of the planet.
She first came into contact with Flash Gordon and his allies after they crash-landed on her homeworld. Initially loyal to her father, Aura’s attention was captured by Flash’s bravery and defiance, and she swiftly became enamored with him. Though Ming saw Flash as a threat and ordered his execution, Aura intervened, saving Flash and spiriting him away to safety in defiance of her father’s commands. She intervened during a fight between Flash and Ming’s soldiers, impressed by his strength and courage. Rather than allow her father Ming’s guards to overwhelm Flash, she persuaded them to withdraw and later guided Flash out of immediate danger. Her actions in this introduction established her as someone torn between loyalty to Ming and fascination with Flash, actively using her authority to alter the balance of power in their first confrontation.
Princess Aura took a more decisive role in the conflicts across Mongo. When Flash was captured and brought before Ming, Aura secretly freed him by distracting the guards and providing him with a weapon to make his escape. She later accompanied him into the forest regions of Mongo, battling alongside him against Ming’s soldiers and hostile native creatures. In these strips, she was not passive—she physically engaged in combat, struck down guards with weapons, and endured peril in order to help Flash survive, underscoring her shift from spectator to participant in his rebellion against her father.
She repeatedly tried to win Flash’s affection, going so far as to manipulate events to keep him separated from his companion Dale Arden. Despite Flash’s unwavering devotion to Dale, Aura continued to pursue him, leading to intense friction between the two women.
As the war against Ming's rule escalated, Aura’s loyalties began to shift. Though raised in the heart of imperial power, she became disillusioned by her father’s cruelty and the destructive nature of his reign. Her growing conscience, coupled with Flash’s influence, led her to assist the resistance in several key moments, such as aiding Flash's escape from Ming’s dungeons and undermining her father’s military strategies. During her time apart from Flash, she encountered Prince Barin of Arboria. Their relationship began with mutual distrust and rivalry—both political and romantic—but through shared adversity, they came to respect and care for one another.
Aura’s defection from her father’s regime became more pronounced as she aligned herself more openly with the rebel factions of Mongo. In some battles, she acted as a vital liaison between the divided territories of Mongo, using her knowledge of her father’s court and tactics to aid the alliance. Though she never lost her fiery nature or political savvy, Aura evolved into a more selfless figure, motivated by a desire to bring peace and stability to the war-torn planet. After Ming’s eventual defeat, she played a pivotal role in the transition of power, often serving as an intermediary between former enemies and as a diplomatic figure advocating for unity across Mongo’s fractured kingdoms.
Overview
Personality and attributes
In appearance, Princess Aura was a female humanoid with a striking, glamorous figure, often dressed in ornate Mongo-style attire that blended regal finery with exotic futurism. She frequently wore flowing gowns adorned with jewels, tiaras, and cloaks, emphasizing her status as Ming’s daughter. In film serials, she was costumed in stylized dresses, crowns, and sashes, making her visually distinct from Dale Arden. Her depiction consistently highlighted her duality—part alluring temptress, part royal warrior.
Princess Aura was conflicted and complex. At first, she acted out of infatuation with Flash, driven by attraction and jealousy toward Dale. However, she also demonstrated resourcefulness, courage, and compassion, frequently risking her life to save Flash and his allies despite her loyalty to Ming. Aura often wavered between ambition and empathy—desiring Flash for herself while also proving capable of heroism when opposing her father’s tyranny. Her defining traits included determination, pride, and a strong will.
After encountering Flash Gordon, Aura came to fall in love with the human and risked her father's displeasure in order to protect him. A result of this was that she was jealous of Dale Arden and resorted to any means to defeat her in getting Flash's attention. This saw her regularly attempt to seduce Gordon and make him fall in love with her.
She and Barin later came to have a son who they named Prince Alan. The boy though came to the attention of Ming who wanted to kidnap his grandson and raise him as a worthy heir to the throne.
Powers and abilities
Princess Aura was a native of Mongo, appearing human but possessing the enhanced resilience, stamina, and vitality often attributed to Mongo’s aristocracy in various adaptations. She demonstrated proficiency in swordplay, marksmanship, and hand-to-hand combat, particularly in serials and comics where she struck down Ming’s soldiers or fought alongside Flash. While she did not possess superhuman powers, her influence as Ming’s daughter gave her authority over guards and resources, which she used strategically.
Notes
- Princess Aura was created by Alex Raymond where he was created by King Features Syndicate Flash Gordon (February 11, 1934).
In other media
Television
- In Flash Gordon, Princess Aura appeared in the setting of the 1979 animated television series where she was voiced by actress Melendy Britt.
Films
- In Flash Gordon, Princess Aura appeared in the setting of the 1980 live-action film where she was portrayed by actress Ornella Muti.
Appearances
- Flash Gordon: (1934)
External Links
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