Belle, whose name means beauty in French, is not born of royal blood but marries into her princess position. Smart and independent, Belle is the daughter of a poor inventor, who is captured by a Beast in a castle that he stumbles upon. The Beast agrees to let him go if Belle stays behind. Really Prince Peter bewitched for his selfishness, the Beast must earn the love of another before the last petal of an enchanted rose falls, or he will remain a beast forever. The rose symbolizes our need to be generous and selfless, to share love and kindness.