Badass Babes with Bows: Women Archers from Mythology to the Silver Screen

Over the last few years, there’s been a remarkable surge in archery representation across film and television. From Daryl Dixon in The Walking Dead to Oliver Queen in Arrow, bows are everywhere. But some of the most compelling archers on screen have been women.

Here are some of the most memorable female archers from mythology to modern media.

Diana / Artemis (Classical Mythology)

Diana was the Roman goddess of the hunt, the wilderness, and wild animals. Her role later expanded to include protection of women, childbirth, and healing.

Ancient statues and artwork depict her as an athletic huntress carrying her bows and arrows. She’s often equated with her Greek counterpart, Artemis, who possessed a set of particularly deadly golden bows gifted by the gods.

Skadi (Norse Mythology)

In Norse mythology, Skadi (also spelled Skathi or Skade) is a goddess associated with archery, bowhunting, skiing, winter, and mountains. After an ill-fated marriage to the god Njordr, she later married Odin himself.

Some etymologists believe the region known as Scandinavia is actually named after this bow-wielding goddess.

Susan Pevensie (The Chronicles of Narnia)

At just twelve years old, Susan receives her bow and arrows from Father Christmas himself in The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe. By Prince Caspian, she has developed considerable proficiency and puts her skills to use in the battle against the Telmarines.

Critics have noted that while Susan is dissuaded from fighting in the original novels (published during the 1950s), she receives a much larger role in the modern film adaptations.

Princess Merida (Brave)

The first Pixar princess never needs a prince to save her. When her mother arranges an archery competition for suitors to compete for her hand, Merida enters the contest herself - and outperforms every male competitor.

Her red hair flying as she releases arrow after arrow into the bullseye, Merida asserts her independence in one of cinema’s most memorable archery sequences.

Abigail Whistler (Blade: Trinity)

A member of the vampire-hunting Nightstalkers, Abigail hunts the undead using a compound bow. She’s no damsel in distress - she’s an active combatant who holds her own against supernatural threats.

Katniss Everdeen (The Hunger Games)

Perhaps the most influential fictional archer of recent years, Katniss learns to use a bow out of necessity, feeding her family through illegal hunting in District 12. Her combination of archery and survival skills eventually wins her the Hunger Games and sparks a revolution.

Jennifer Lawrence’s portrayal brought archery to mainstream attention and inspired countless young women to pick up a bow.

The Tradition Continues

These characters connect to an ancient tradition of women warriors and hunters. They remind us that archery has never been an exclusively male pursuit - from ancient goddesses to modern heroines, women have always been deadly with a bow.

Ready to join their ranks? Pick up a bow and find out what you’re capable of.