The evil fairy's sleeping spell is one of the most iconic curses in fairy tale history. In Disney's 1959 animated adaptation, the malevolent fairy Maleficent (whose name literally means "doing evil") casts this spell on Princess Aurora out of vengeance for not being invited to the royal christening.

The original fairy tale "Sleeping Beauty" has existed in various forms across cultures for centuries. The version most people know today is primarily based on Charles Perrault's "La Belle au bois dormant" (1697) and the Brothers Grimm's "Little Briar Rose" (1812).

In Disney's version, Maleficent declares that before sunset on Aurora's 16th birthday, she will prick her finger on the spindle of a spinning wheel and die. However, one of the good fairies, Merryweather, alters the curse so that instead of dying, Aurora will fall into a deep sleep until awakened by true love's kiss.

The spinning wheel as the instrument of the curse has historical significance, as spinning was traditionally women's work, and sharp spindles were genuinely dangerous, making this element relatable to historical audiences.