What Do the Planets Symbolize in The Little Prince?
So much more than planets: Saint-Exupéry’s hidden messages
I’ll never forget reading The Little Prince for the first time. I was 11, totally expecting a cute space adventure with a kid and maybe a fox. And yeah—it was that. But man, those planets? They stuck with me. I remember closing the book and thinking, “Wait... was that about grown-ups?”
Fast forward to now—I’ve reread it at least five times, and each planet hits differently as I get older. I even had this random conversation with my friend Claire last month where she said, “Every planet is like a warning, you know?” And honestly… yeah. She’s right.
Each planet isn’t just a quirky stop. It’s a mirror. A metaphor. A quiet nudge to wake up and think about how we live. Let’s dive in.
The king’s planet – the illusion of control
“I rule over everything,” he says… to an empty rock
The king lives alone, giving orders to imaginary subjects. He represents authority for authority’s sake—obsessed with power even when there’s no one to rule.
The Little Prince is polite but confused. Why give commands that don’t matter? And honestly, haven’t we all met someone like that? A boss maybe, who gives orders just to feel important?
I used to have a teacher who needed to approve everything, even things she didn't understand. Power made her feel safe. And that’s exactly what this king is clinging to: safety in control. Even if it's fake.
The vain man’s planet – the desperate need for validation
Clap for me! But only me.
This guy? Yikes. He lives for applause and admiration. He doesn’t care who you are—just that you admire him.
He symbolizes narcissism and insecurity. It's painful, honestly. Because he’s not happy—just addicted to praise.
One time I posted something online that got tons of likes. I kept checking the notifications, feeling weirdly proud. Then empty. This guy reminded me of that—how quickly we trade real connection for ego snacks.
The drunkard’s planet – escape, shame, and the loop
“I drink to forget that I’m ashamed of drinking”
This one hit me hard. Because wow, that’s… real. The drunkard drinks because he feels bad, and he feels bad because he drinks. Classic vicious cycle.
He symbolizes addiction, avoidance, and self-destructive habits. And it’s not always alcohol. Could be doom-scrolling, shopping, binge-eating.
Claire said something that stuck: “He’s not the worst planet. He’s the saddest.” Yep.
The businessman’s planet – the obsession with numbers
He counts the stars because he wants to own them
He’s all about possession. Counting. Owning. But for what? He doesn’t enjoy the stars. He doesn’t even look at them.
He represents materialism without meaning. And yeah, it’s a bit on the nose, but still so true.
I remember this guy at a startup I worked at who constantly bragged about his stock portfolio—like daily. But ask him what he actually liked doing? Blank stare. Same vibe.
The lamplighter’s planet – duty without reflection
Light on. Light off. Over and over.
Okay, this one is interesting. The lamplighter is actually likable. He’s dedicated. Honest. But… stuck. He works non-stop because the planet spins too fast now. And he doesn’t question it.
He represents blind obedience and burnout. He does what he’s told, even when it makes no sense.
Honestly? That used to be me. I worked 12-hour shifts in retail, didn’t ask why, didn’t say no. Just lit the lamp. Every day. Until I broke down.
The geographer’s planet – knowledge without experience
He knows about things… but never sees them
This guy records data from explorers but never explores himself. He waits for others to report the world—too afraid of change to move.
He symbolizes intellectualism without living. Like someone who reads all the books but never leaves the house.
And don’t get me wrong—I love books. But this guy reminded me that wisdom needs both knowledge and experience. You gotta get your boots dirty sometimes.
The Earth – the real test
Where it all comes together (and gets personal)
Finally, the Little Prince lands on Earth. And that’s where he meets the fox, the rose, the pilot. Where he learns love, loss, connection.
Earth isn’t just another planet—it’s where all the lessons are applied.
I used to think the planets were just quirky detours. Now I get it. They’re stepping stones. They show us what not to become. What traps to avoid. So when we land in the real world—Earth—we know how to actually live.
Conclusion: the planets reflect us more than we’d like
So what do the planets symbolize in The Little Prince? Everything.
They represent our fears, our flaws, our habits, and our blind spots. They ask us: Are you the king? The vain man? The tired lamplighter?
But more importantly… they remind us we don’t have to stay there. We can choose the Earth. We can choose love, wonder, presence.
And that? That’s why this little book still matters. Even when you’re not little anymore.
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Is 165 cm normal for a 15 year old?
The predicted height for a female, based on your parents heights, is 155 to 165cm. Most 15 year old girls are nearly done growing. I was too. It's a very normal height for a girl.
Is 160 cm too tall for a 12 year old?
How Tall Should a 12 Year Old Be? We can only speak to national average heights here in North America, whereby, a 12 year old girl would be between 137 cm to 162 cm tall (4-1/2 to 5-1/3 feet). A 12 year old boy should be between 137 cm to 160 cm tall (4-1/2 to 5-1/4 feet).
How tall is a average 15 year old?
Average Height to Weight for Teenage Boys - 13 to 20 Years
| Male Teens: 13 - 20 Years) | ||
|---|---|---|
| 14 Years | 112.0 lb. (50.8 kg) | 64.5" (163.8 cm) |
| 15 Years | 123.5 lb. (56.02 kg) | 67.0" (170.1 cm) |
| 16 Years | 134.0 lb. (60.78 kg) | 68.3" (173.4 cm) |
| 17 Years | 142.0 lb. (64.41 kg) | 69.0" (175.2 cm) |
How to get taller at 18?
Staying physically active is even more essential from childhood to grow and improve overall health. But taking it up even in adulthood can help you add a few inches to your height. Strength-building exercises, yoga, jumping rope, and biking all can help to increase your flexibility and grow a few inches taller.
Is 5.7 a good height for a 15 year old boy?
Generally speaking, the average height for 15 year olds girls is 62.9 inches (or 159.7 cm). On the other hand, teen boys at the age of 15 have a much higher average height, which is 67.0 inches (or 170.1 cm).
Can you grow between 16 and 18?
Most girls stop growing taller by age 14 or 15. However, after their early teenage growth spurt, boys continue gaining height at a gradual pace until around 18. Note that some kids will stop growing earlier and others may keep growing a year or two more.
Can you grow 1 cm after 17?
Even with a healthy diet, most people's height won't increase after age 18 to 20. The graph below shows the rate of growth from birth to age 20. As you can see, the growth lines fall to zero between ages 18 and 20 ( 7 , 8 ). The reason why your height stops increasing is your bones, specifically your growth plates.