The basilisk in The Owl House is named Vee (full name: Vee, later revealed as Number 5). She is a recurring character who escapes from the Emperor’s Coven and hides in the human realm, posing as Luz Noceda.
Who Is Vee the Basilisk?
Vee is a young basilisk, a species of demon that can absorb magic and shapeshift. She first appears in the episode Yesterday’s Lie (Season 2, Episode 10) as a mysterious figure who has been impersonating Luz while Luz is trapped in the Boiling Isles. Unlike the other basilisks seen earlier in the series (who are aggressive and used by the Emperor’s Coven), Vee is timid, kind, and desperate to escape captivity.
Her true name is Number 5, as she was one of several basilisks held in a secret facility under the Emperor’s Castle. The name “Vee” is a nickname she adopts later, derived from the Roman numeral V (5). She eventually chooses to stay in the human realm, living with Camila Noceda (Luz’s mother) and attending school with Luz’s friends.
Basilisks in The Owl House Lore
Basilisks are a species of demon that feed on magic. They have the ability to absorb magical energy from other beings or objects, which makes them dangerous to witches. In the show, they are shown to be capable of shape-shifting into other people, which is how Vee impersonates Luz.
The Emperor’s Coven used basilisks as tools, keeping them in cages and draining their magic for experiments. The first basilisk seen in the series is Glandus, a large, aggressive creature that appears in Escaping Expulsion (Season 2, Episode 5) and later in Hunting Palismen (Season 2, Episode 9). Glandus is a minor antagonist, but Vee is the only named basilisk with a significant role.
How Vee’s Powers Work
Vee’s abilities are typical of basilisks in the show:
- Magic Absorption: She can drain magical energy from witches, palismen, or magical objects, temporarily weakening them.
- Shape-shifting: She can change her appearance to mimic any person, though she can only hold the form for a limited time unless she feeds on magic.
- Limited physical form: In her true form, she appears as a serpentine creature with a hood, similar to a cobra, but with a more humanoid face.
In the human realm, where there is no ambient magic, Vee struggles to maintain her human disguise. She must periodically consume magical energy, which she obtains by drinking a special potion (provided by a friend) or by absorbing residual magic from objects brought from the Boiling Isles.
Vee’s Role in the Story
Vee’s introduction is a major plot twist in Yesterday’s Lie. Luz returns to the human realm to find that Vee has been living her life, going to school, and bonding with her mother. At first, Luz is upset, but she quickly realizes that Vee is not malicious—she is a victim of the Emperor’s Coven who escaped and found a safe haven.
Vee’s presence raises moral questions about identity and belonging. She wants to be her own person, not just a copy of Luz. In the episode, she helps Luz get back to the Boiling Isles, and in return, Luz keeps her secret. By the end of the series, Vee is accepted as part of the Noceda family, and she even attends school with Luz’s human friends.
How to Choose a Basilisk Name (Fan Context)
While Vee is the only named basilisk in the show, fans sometimes create their own basilisk OCs (original characters). If you’re making one, consider:
- Use a number or Roman numeral (like Vee’s original name) to reflect the Emperor’s Coven’s dehumanizing system.
- Pick a name that reflects their personality—Vee chose “Vee” because it was short and friendly, contrasting with her scary appearance.
- Think about their backstory—did they escape, or are they still loyal to the Coven?
There is no official naming convention beyond what is shown, so creativity is welcome.
Common Misconceptions About Vee
One common misconception is that Vee is the same basilisk seen earlier in the show. She is not. The basilisk in Escaping Expulsion is called Glandus (though that name is only revealed in a tie-in comic). Vee is a separate individual, first introduced in Yesterday’s Lie.
Another misconception is that Vee is a villain. She is not; she is a sympathetic character who only wants freedom. The show explicitly contrasts her with the other basilisks, who were conditioned to be aggressive.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Vee’s real name in The Owl House?
Vee’s real name is Number 5, given to her by the Emperor’s Coven. She later adopts the nickname “Vee” (from the Roman numeral V) as her chosen name.
Is Vee a boy or a girl?
Vee is female. She uses she/her pronouns in the show.
Does Vee appear in Season 3?
Yes, Vee appears in the Season 3 specials, particularly in Thanks to Them, where she is living with Camila and attending school. She plays a supporting role in helping the gang.
Can Vee transform into other people?
Yes, Vee can shape-shift into any human form, but she needs to absorb magic to maintain it. In the human realm, she relies on a potion to sustain her disguise.
Why did Vee impersonate Luz?
Vee impersonated Luz to hide from the Emperor’s Coven and to have a safe place to live. She did not intend to hurt anyone; she just wanted to survive.
Comparing Vee to Other Basilisks
In the show, basilisks are generally portrayed as monstrous and dangerous. Glandus, for example, is a hulking creature that attacks Luz and her friends. Vee, however, is small, shy, and friendly. This contrast highlights that basilisks are not inherently evil—their behavior is a result of how they are treated by the Emperor’s Coven.
The show also implies that basilisks are rare and feared, which is why the Coven wanted to control them. Vee’s ability to blend in with humans makes her unique among her kind, as she is the only one shown to successfully integrate into human society.
Safety and Accuracy Notes
This article is based on the animated series The Owl House, created by Dana Terrace and aired on Disney Channel and Disney+. All plot details are taken from the episodes as broadcast. No real-world basilisks exist; the creature is a mythological hybrid, but in the show, it is a fictional species.
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