Long ago, a drop of sunlight fell onto Earth and grew a magical flower that's capable of healing illness, decay, and injury. For hundreds of years, the flower is used by Mother Gothel to retain her youth, until soldiers from a nearby kingdom, Corona, find the flower and utilize it to heal their ailing queen. Shortly afterwards, the Queen gives birth to Princess Rapunzel. While attempting to recover the flower, Gothel discovers Rapunzel's golden hair contains the flower's healing properties, and that cutting her hair destroys its power. Gothel abducts the baby and raises Rapunzel as her own daughter in an isolated tower. Once a year, the King and Queen release sky lanterns on Rapunzel's birthday, hoping for their daughter to see them and return.