More Than One Way to Be “Chosen”

(Part 2 of 4: The Chosen One Project)

Not all Chosen Ones are created equal.

While the overarching idea remains the same -an individual burdened or blessed by destiny- the way that destiny manifests varies greatly across stories. Some heroes are prophesied, some are anointed by divine beings, some stumble across sacred relics, and others are born as living embodiments of cosmic necessity.

By examining these variations, we can better understand how Fantasy stories use the Chosen One trope to explore different questions about power, agency, and fate.

These are the five major types of Chosen Ones that dominate Fantasy literature, film, and games, with examples that reveal both the richness and the risks of each category.

🌟1. The Prophetic Archetype🌟

“The boy who lived... destined to vanquish the Dark Lord.”

The Prophetic Archetype centres around a figure foretold long before their birth, marked by ancient omens or cryptic predictions.

Their journey is framed by the need to fulfil -or sometimes escape- the prophecy that defines their existence.

Examples:

Harry Potter (Harry Potter series) - marked by prophecy to defeat Voldemort.

Rand al’Thor (The Wheel of Time) - fated to battle the Dark One at the end of the world.

Neo (The Matrix) - “The One” prophesied to liberate humanity from the machines.

The Prophetic Archetype often carries an inherent tragedy: the character’s life is not their own. Their choices, struggles, and sacrifices are weighed against the pull of fate -and readers are invited to question whether destiny uplifts or imprisons them.

🌟 2. The Divinely Selected Figure🌟

“Into every generation, a Slayer is born…”

Here, the Chosen One is not merely predicted but actively selected by a god, cosmic force, or metaphysical entity. Their role often carries a sacred or spiritual weight, and their powers are granted, not inherent.

Examples:

Buffy Summers (Buffy the Vampire Slayer) - chosen by mystical forces to fight evil.

Moses (Biblical narratives) - selected by God to lead his people out of Egypt.

Percy Jackson (Percy Jackson and the Olympians) - son of a god, called into divine conflicts.

The Divinely Selected Figure embodies questions of duty, faith, and burden. They often struggle not with accepting their abilities, but with accepting the moral or emotional cost of being “chosen” by powers beyond their understanding.

🌟 3. The Artifact Wielder 🌟

“It chose me. I didn’t choose it.”

In this variation, the character becomes significant because they inherit or wield an ancient artifact of immense power. Unlike the Prophetic or Divine types, these heroes may stumble into destiny through accident, circumstance, or inheritance.

Examples:

Frodo Baggins (The Lord of the Rings) - bearer of the One Ring.

King Arthur (Arthurian legends) - wielder of Excalibur, the sword of kingship.

Aladdin (Aladdin) - accidental master of a genie through the magic lamp.

The Artifact Wielder often explores questions of worthiness and corruption. The object may amplify the hero’s best or worst traits, making the story less about predetermined fate and more about how power is wielded once granted.

🌟 4. The Manifest Incarnation🌟

“When the world needed him most, he vanished…”

Some Chosen Ones are not called or chosen -they are born as the living embodiment of cosmic necessity. They are avatars, reincarnations, or natural phenomena given human form.

Examples:

Aang (Avatar: The Last Airbender) - the Avatar, reincarnated to maintain balance.

Krishna (Hindu mythology) - an avatar of Vishnu sent to restore dharma.

The Doctor (Doctor Who, depending on interpretation) - a timeless being embodying hope and defiance.

Manifest Incarnations dramatize the tension between individuality and cosmic role. These characters often face identity crises, torn between their human desires and their larger, often impersonal, purpose.

🌟 5. The Legitimate Monarch🌟

“The hands of the king are the hands of a healer.”

In this iteration, the Chosen One is revealed to be the rightful heir to a throne, a lineage hidden or forgotten. Their destiny is tied not just to saving the world, but to restoring a rightful order or repairing a broken kingdom.

Examples:

Aragorn (The Lord of the Rings) - heir of Isildur, destined to reunite the kingdoms of Men.

Daenerys Targaryen (A Song of Ice and Fire) - claiming the lost Targaryen dynasty.

Simba (The Lion King) - born to reclaim his kingdom from a usurper.

The Legitimate Monarch type often navigates questions of governance, responsibility, and legacy. These stories ask not just whether the hero can claim the throne, but whether they deserve to rule at all.

Many Paths, One Destiny?

Each type of Chosen One offers a different way to explore power, fate, and identity.

Yet across these variations, one persistent question lingers: Is destiny a gift - or a cage?

🧿 Project Navigation:

In the next section, we will dive deeper into the cultural and psychological appeal of the Chosen One, exploring why this trope continues to captivate readers even as it evolves, fractures, and falters.

Start here: ➡️ [The Chosen One: From Sacred Myth to Fantasy Staple (Part 1)]

➡️ [Psychological and Cultural Roots (Part 3)]