Alice in Wonderland characters

Alice

The curious, level-headed young woman who follows the White Rabbit down the rabbit-hole and wanders Wonderland, changing size and matching wits with its inhabitants.

As drawn: A graceful young woman with long, loosely waving golden-blonde hair falling well past her shoulders, large clear blue eyes, fair skin with rosy cheeks and a few faint freckles, and a soft inquisitive expression. She wears a cornflower-blue long-sleeved dress with an ivory lace-trimmed square collar over a white pinafore apron with a wide bow at the front.

Bonds:KingProtective interventionHatterTea-party guestsMarchTea-party companionsMockConversational acquaintances

White Rabbit

Also known as the Rabbit

The perpetually late, fretful herald whose dash past Alice draws her into Wonderland; a nervous servant of the Duchess and the court.

As drawn: An anxious, well-groomed brown rabbit with tall upright ears lined in pink, wide worried dark eyes, a pink nose and twitching whiskers; he wears a brown tweed waistcoat with brass buttons, a white shirt and a blue polka-dot bow tie, clutching a gold pocket-watch on a chain.

Bonds:HatterCourt summons

Cheshire Cat

Also known as Cheshire Puss, the Cat

A grinning cat that appears and vanishes at will, offering Alice riddling directions and cheerful nonsense about everyone in Wonderland being mad.

As drawn: A large, plump long-haired tabby with grey-and-brown fur banded by dark charcoal stripes, luminous amber-yellow eyes half-closed in amusement, and an enormous, unmistakable wide grin baring rows of teeth; lounging with one striped paw tucked beneath its chin amid swirling lavender and rose mist.

Bonds:AliceConversation partnersDuchessPet and ownerKingRoyal encounter

Mad Hatter

Also known as the Hatter

An eccentric host of the endless mad tea-party, forever stuck at six o'clock, trading riddles and impertinent remarks with the March Hare and the sleepy Dormouse.

As drawn: A wiry, wild-eyed young man with an unruly mop of chestnut-brown hair, bright green eyes and a huge open-mouthed grin; he wears a clashing patchwork of colour, an orange, purple and teal plaid tailcoat over a green floral waistcoat, a white shirt and an oversized orange polka-dot bow tie, raising a blue-flowered teacup amid a scatter of teapots and pocket-watches.

Bonds:AliceTea-party guestsDormouseCushion userKingJudge and witnessRabbitCourt summons

Queen of Hearts

Also known as the Queen, Her Majesty

The tyrannical monarch of Wonderland's card kingdom who bellows 'Off with their heads!' at the slightest offence and rules the chaotic croquet-ground.

As drawn: An imperious, handsome woman with dark brown hair pinned in curls, fair skin with high rosy cheeks and red lips set in a haughty frown; she wears a gold crown studded with rubies, ruby drop earrings and pendant, and a rich crimson gown with a tall upstanding gold-trimmed collar, puffed sleeves and golden heart-motif embroidery, arms folded in cold command.

Bonds:KingSpousesKnaveRoyal servantGryphonRoyal escort

Caterpillar

A blue caterpillar in Carroll's text, portrayed here as a slow, aloof mushroom-dweller who questions Alice 'Who are you?' and tells her which sides of the mushroom will make her grow or shrink.

As drawn: A languid, sage-like creature portrayed as an elderly gnomish figure with a long flowing white beard and eyebrows, pointed ears, and a drooping moss-green pointed hat trimmed with acorns and oak leaves; he wears a green robe and waistcoat with golden wheat-ear embroidery and a leather-buckled belt, seated cross-legged atop a red toadstool with cream spots, calmly drawing on a long-stemmed hookah pipe.

Bonds:AliceNew interlocutors

March Hare

The Hatter's manic companion at the never-ending tea-party, offering Alice wine that isn't there and insisting on impossible logic while the Dormouse dozes between them.

As drawn: A large brown hare with a lean, jittery frame and wild wide eyes, tall upright ears with wisps of straw poking out behind them, prominent front teeth and tufted, unkempt fur; dressed for tea in a rumpled checked waistcoat and loose cravat, one paw raised mid-gesture.

Bonds:AliceTea-party companionsDormouseTea-table companionsKingCourt witness

Dormouse

A drowsy little mouse used as a cushion by the Hatter and March Hare, waking only to mumble a fragment of the treacle-well tale before being pushed into the teapot.

As drawn: A small, round, sleepy brown mouse with a plush body, tiny rounded ears, a soft cream belly and a long thin tail, eyes heavy-lidded and nearly shut in perpetual drowse; perched and slumping as if about to nod off.

Bonds:HatterCushion userMarchTea-table companionsKingCourt witness

Duchess

Also known as the Duchess

The ill-tempered, moralising noblewoman who nurses a sneezing pig-baby in a pepper-filled kitchen, then turns unnervingly affectionate on the croquet-ground with her sharp chin dug into Alice's shoulder.

As drawn: A homely, top-heavy woman with an oversized head, jutting sharp chin and a sour, jowly frown; she wears an enormous starched horned headdress and a broad ruffled collar over a heavy dark gown trimmed with fur and gold, jewelled rings on stubby fingers.

Bonds:CheshirePet and owner

Mock Turtle

A melancholy sea-creature who weeps through the story of his schooling under the sea and sings the Lobster Quadrille alongside the Gryphon.

As drawn: A doleful hybrid beast with the domed greenish-brown shell and flippers of a turtle but the head, hooves and tail of a calf, enormous glistening eyes brimming with tears and a downturned sorrowful mouth; seated on a rock, one flipper wiping his cheek.

Bonds:AliceConversational acquaintances

Gryphon

A brisk, no-nonsense mythical beast dispatched by the Queen to escort Alice to the Mock Turtle, chuckling at Alice and prompting the Lobster Quadrille.

As drawn: A tawny golden creature with the feathered head, hooked beak, pointed ears and taloned forelegs and wings of an eagle joined to the muscular haunches, hind legs and tufted tail of a lion; lounging alertly in warm sunlight, feathers and fur shading from cream to russet.

Bonds:AliceAssigned escortQueenRoyal escort

King of Hearts

Also known as the King, His Majesty

The mild, fussy monarch who serves as judge at the Knave's trial, quietly pardoning prisoners behind the Queen's back and struggling to keep order in court.

As drawn: A small, elderly king with a short white beard, kindly anxious eyes and round spectacles perched low; he wears a golden crown over a curled white judge's wig and a crimson ermine-trimmed robe patterned with gold hearts, holding a tiny sceptre; timid posture.

Bonds:AliceProtective interventionQueenSpousesHatterJudge and witnessDormouseCourt witness

Knave of Hearts

Also known as the Knave

The accused at Wonderland's trial, charged with stealing the Queen's tarts and standing in chains before the throne while nonsensical evidence piles up.

As drawn: A sullen young courtier styled as a living playing card, his tunic and hose patterned with red hearts on white and edged in gold; a small crown-like cap, a guilty downcast face, and iron manacles and chains at his wrists as two card-soldiers guard him.

Bonds:QueenRoyal servant

Dodo

A pompous, dignified bird who organises the Caucus-race in the Pool of Tears chapter and solemnly declares that everybody has won and all must have prizes.

As drawn: A plump, flightless bird with soft grey-brown plumage, a large curved hooked beak, small round eyes and stubby wings, standing with self-important dignity, one clawed foot forward and a wing-tip pressed thoughtfully to its brow.

Bonds:AliceTravel companions