1. Mulan

From an objective stance, there is no doubt in my mind that there is no other contender more deserving of a spot on this list of heroic Disney princesses than Mulan. As a strong-willed fighter, she never hesitates when casting off her family's wishes in order to pave her own way in life. She taught me the valuable lesson that women are just as capable as men are! Mulan never turns her back on anyone, even when her own comrades don't believe in her. If that isn't heroic and brave in itself, then I don't know what is!

2. Ariel

As my favorite princess, it is no surprise that Ariel's strong qualities won over the hearts of children (and adults) everywhere! I love how resilient Ariel is when it comes to her friends and family! From her desire to travel and see a world beyond her own to her utter fearlessness, there is a lot to admire about Ariel. The fact that this princess is the one who ends up saving the prince on more than one occasion makes this deal so much sweeter!

3. Jasmine

Jasmine is definitely one of the fiercest and bravest characters that I have ever encountered in the world of Disney! Whether you watched the movie or the series, you most likely saw Jasmine willingly putting herself in danger in order to protect her loved ones. When I was a kid, I thought Jafar was one of the most frightening villains; seeing Jasmine put him in his place in the animated series surely put everything in perspective for me!

4. Pocahontas

If you watched the movie then you will know that Pocahontas needs no introduction when it comes to being heroic. She willingly puts herself in-between her people and the foreigners in order to save everyone from the impending war. Being able to fight for what you believe is right at the risk of being excommunicated is no easy feat; I admire Pocahontas because she does not give her actions any second thought.

5. Belle

Because of my bias, I love Belle purely because we share a love of reading and expansive libraries. However, said bias can be redeemed by the fact that Belle does indeed display heroic qualities. When her father's well-being is threatened, Belle does not waver in her resolve to save him. She even manages to save Beast, her captor, from imminent doom. Her kindness even serves as the catalyst for his change in character.

6. Rapunzel (Tangled)

I love the adaptation of this folklore! It was cool seeing her grow throughout the film; she quickly welcomes the outside world that she has been isolated from for all of her life. Even though Flynn is not trustworthy at first, Rapunzel gives up her freedom (or tries to) to save him. Putting another person first was very brave!

7. Tiana

Last but not least, Tiana definitely deserves a place on this list. I love her determination to follow her dreams of becoming a chef. You won't find her waiting around for a prince. It's refreshing to see someone so ready to take charge!

Everyone's view on what defines a hero varies. One of the universal indicators revolves around someone who is dedicated to their goals and is not afraid to stand up for what is right. When keeping this in mind, what other heroic Disney princesses would you add to this list?