The 12 principles of animation are foundational techniques used to bring life and realism to animated characters and scenes. They include Squash and Stretch, Anticipation, Timing, Exaggeration, Solid Drawing, Arcs, Slow In and Slow Out, Secondary Action, Follow Through and Overlapping Action, Straight Ahead Action and Pose-to-Pose, Staging, and Appeal. Mastering these principles empowers animators to create captivating, expressive, and enchanting animations that leave a lasting impact on audiences.