In Disney's newest animated film Encanto, every member of the Madrigal family is blessed by a magical candle with gifts such as enhanced hearing, super strength and the ability to speak to animals. The only two family members without magic are Abuela Alma, the head of the household, and the film's protagonist, Mirabel. Fans have been tossing around theories to explain why the candle failed to give Mirabel a gift. Most agree that the experience is meant to teach Abuela to value her family as people, not just for the magical benefits they provide. However, one theory goes a step further, suggesting Mirabel may be destined to be the next family matriarch and keeper of the candle's magic.
For all the attention that's paid to Mirabel missing out on a magical power, no one ever comments on Abuela's own similar lack. Her role as the leader of the family is so assured and set in stone that none of the characters question it or look any deeper. Could it be that the magical casita itself, and by extension the role of family head, is Abuela's gift -- a gift that's meant to pass to Mirabel when the time comes? There's plenty of evidence to support this theory in the film, as pointed out by Reddit user thegreendorito123 and SuperCarlinBros on YouTube.
The whole shape of Encanto's story supports this theory. Mirabel's self-imposed mission from the beginning is to repair the cracks in the family and the house, though she's not always aware of what this really means or how deep that damage goes. She's the only one who sees that the casita (and by extension, the family) is starting to break down, and she's the impetus behind it being fully repaired and rebuilt. Also, when Mirabel reconciles with her sister Isabela, the candle is shown glowing brighter than before, coinciding with Isabela's discovery of new and exciting facets of her power. This implies that Mirabel has a direct connection to the magic and might be able to unlock the other family members' hidden potential.
One of the most popular Encanto headcanons posits that the candle holds the spirit of Pedro, Abuela's husband, who passed away heroically while defending the fleeing townspeople. Abuela even states that Pedro "sent" Mirabel to her. That fits nicely with this particular theory; it makes sense that Pedro, watching over the family via the candle and the casita, would notice that Abuela has lost her way and needs a successor to steer her back onto the right path. The theory makes sense in terms of the timeline, as well. Abuela is already fairly advanced in years by the time Mirabel, her third grandchild from Julieta, is born. Mirabel is 15 years old when the film takes place. Her birth seems perfectly timed for her to succeed Alma as the family matriarch when the time comes.
Perceptive viewers will notice that Abuela and Mirabel are also the only characters in the film shown directly speaking to the casita. In multiple scenes, the house responds to Abuela's commands and moves to accommodate her whims, like when she tells it to move Mirabel next to her during the breakfast scene. Similarly, the house acts as a friend and helper to Mirabel throughout the movie, speaking to her and directly answering her questions. Though the house certainly takes care of the entire Madrigal clan, Mirabel and Abuela are the only members who communicate with it as though it's a living being.
There's also the fact that Mirabel doesn't have a room of her own and has to sleep in the nursery. Since she doesn't have a room, she doesn't have a special door like the rest of the Madrigals, either. But at the end of Encanto, the front door of the newly rebuilt house comes to life with a glowing image of Mirabel at the center of her family, implying that the whole house is her domain. It's also notable that Abuela's door image is a simple one, depicting her cradling the candle in her hands, confirming her role as the protector of the family's miracle. Mirabel is likely meant to eventually inherit Abuela's room when she passes away; until then, all of the casita is aligned with her, the heart of the family. When Encanto ends, the candle no longer exists, but Mirabel is able to unlock the magic once again by leading the rebuilding of the casita. This practically confirms the idea that she is the new keeper of the miracle.
Finally, the butterfly motif present throughout the film connects Mirabel, Abuela and the candle. The Madrigals' story is intimately tied to butterfly imagery, especially in moments centered around Pedro's sacrifice. When he dies and the candle transforms into a magical object, it's emblazoned with a golden butterfly symbol. There has already been much discussion of the intricate costumes in the film and how they hint at story and character elements, and as many have pointed out, Mirabel's dress includes prominent embroidered butterfly details. Abuela wears a butterfly as well -- a golden chatelaine at her waist. And the song that plays when Mirabel and Abuela reconcile at the film's climax, "Dos Oruguitas," translates to "Two Caterpillars" and centers on a theme of butterfly metamorphosis as a metaphor for the change and growth that must come with life.
Aside from being a heartwarming take on Mirabel's journey, this theory points to fascinating possibilities for the future of the Madrigal family. If Mirabel is meant to be the next guardian of the miracle, perhaps that means each new generation will have an appointed person in that role. It could even be multiple people -- twins or triplets, for example. Leading an extraordinary family like the Madrigals is a heavy burden, and it would certainly be easier to bear if shared between two or more siblings. Whatever lies ahead in the far future, it's clear that Mirabel is the glue holding the family together in the present time. In a way, hers is the most magical and powerful gift of all.