When I read the Harry Potter books to my own children, I was amazed by the brilliance of J.K. Rowling’s mind – the way the whole series was interwoven, every character important, every word mattering. We often ask people this question, because it is an indication of the person’s personality. But the Hogwarts experience is meant to be more than In Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix, Hermione Granger creates fake, enchanted Galleons (Wizard money) that are used for communication between … Naga actually means “serpent” in Sanskrit. Some will say that the Harry Potter is only a story, a fairly tale, and that it is harmless for children to read it. It also represents the connection between Harry and Voldemort. Symbolism In Harry Potter 7097 Words29 Pages 1. Harry Potter's lightening-bolt scar is a symbol of his difference from other wizards. Seeing an owl during the day was an omen of death. No matter how talented a single Quidditch player like Harry might Hvergelmir is the source of all the rivers of the world. In other sections, we’ll examine the symbolism of colors, numbers, and trees. He will howl at the start of Ragnarok. Harry and his friends do not know where Snape’s loyalties lie, but Dumbledore trusts him completely. Of course, we find out that Scabbers is not really a rat but Peter Pettigrew in his animagus form. When they go into the Hog’s Head, it smells like goat. for doing so; heroism is won on the Quidditch fields. Apophis cannot be destroyed, though, because he is necessary to balance the forces of good and evil. Death Eaters noticed them when walking up to the manor at the beginning of The Deathly Hallows. In Harry Potter the otter is Hermione’s patronus. They are the women who “spin” the fate of all beings. In Greek mythology Cerberus—the three headed dog in Greek mythology who guarded the gates of the underworld. We’ll also explore how these animals  are used in the different mythologies we’ve studied. Erec showed up, challenged the knight, and won the battle. In medieval times, people believed that owls traveled with witches and could also be witches in disguise. When I read the Harry Potter books to my own children, I was … Thor rides in a chariot pulled by two goats, Tanngrisnir (Teeth-barer) and Tanngnjóstr (Teeth grinder). The most intellectual character in Winnie the Pooh is Owl! The boars’ bristles shine like the sun and light up dark places. He chased it to exhaustion and then trapped it in a snowbank. The eagle has been used for centuries as the totem animal of power and royalty. He and his knights were at his court feasting and having a good time, when he decided he wanted to hunt a white stag. A young woman, Atalanta, was among a select group of hunters sent to kill it. Each story in the Harry Potter series includes adventure, heartwarming lessons, and symbolism. If, in your life, you’d given bread to the poor you could then give Garm a cake and he’d let you pass into Helheim. By looking at folklore, the properties of British trees and Garrick Ollivander’s … There are also snakes and serpents in other mythologies as well, one with particular relevance to Harry Potter. Hermione The most important symbol in the novel Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone is the scar on Harry's forehead. That Harry is the one who ends up with the They are associated with the feminine and. Being a dog helps Sirius to survive in Azkaban. When we want to talk about someone being arrogant, we say he struts around “like a peacock.” Lucius Malfoy is certainly prideful and arrogant. In ancient times and in the middle-ages, people also followed deer to find food like herbs and plants, because they knew if the deer could eat something, then it would be okay for humans too. a routine of memorizing formulas and learning to transform matches Harry Potter For Seekers. She brings one, Ripper, to the Dursley’s house when she visits, and it does not like Harry. With their tails fanned out and their heads up, peacocks look like they are strutting around. The symbolism of snakes is often as varied as the cultures of the world. In the film Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 1, the sign instead appears on the insid… Cats have a rich symbolism throughout history. He eventually figured out to cauterize the place where the head was cut off so no more would grow. White peacocks complement the theme of death and resurrection in. “Erised” is “desire” spelled backwards, and the Mirror fittingly shows… read analysis of The Mirror of Erised Cyon Chryseus—“Golden Dog” sent by Rhea, to guard her child Zeus and his nurse, the she-goat Almathea, while Zeus was hidden from his father, Chronus. The god Cernnunos is depicted with antlers very much like a stag’s. She often roams the castle by herself but somehow manages to communicate to Filch when the students are doing something wrong. This caduceus is now often used as the symbol for medicine. Nagas are strong, handsome, and can either assume human or serpent form. Heracles did not want to kill it, so he chased the stag for a year before capturing it. There are winged boars on top of pillars at the gates of Hogwarts. The screech owl is sacred to Hades, the god of the Underworld. Atalanta was one of the few female heroes of ancient mythology. As a human with a snake canopy over its head (like a cobra). The snake represents this because they shed their skins on a regular basis. Guinevere and Erec met this maiden, her knight, and a dwarf in her service. Aberforth’s patronus chases away the dementors. In Harry Potter Mad-Eye Moody turns Draco Malfoy into a ferret when he was about to curse Harry behind his back. According to the Romans, when they encountered the Celts they discovered a taboo against eating hares or rabbits, most likely due to the fact that so many goddesses (not just Eostre) could change themselves into hares. In Roman mythology there is one small story about a weasel that involves the hero Hercules. Are you a dog person or a cat person? Perhaps this is what happened to Voldemort—he shed his old skin every time he created a Horcrux and lost a piece of his soul. She eventually became the goddess of fertility and healing and a protector of women and children. If you’d like to read or download the PDF version of the Harry Potter Portal to Symbolism (animal, color, and tree symbolism combined), please click below. The eagle also has fantastic eyesight and so often symbolizes far seeing or wisdom, which makes it a good symbol for Ravenclaw house since they are known for their “wit and learning.” It is also a good symbol since Ravenclaw house is in a tower, high above the Hogwarts castle. The poor innkeeper gave Erec his daughter for a wife, which had been agreed on ahead of time. There was also a belief that a witch could actually turn into the cat in order to go out into the world at night and cause trouble, like cursing a person or their animals. The goddess Juno, in one of her jealous rages, persuaded the goddess of childbirth, Lucina to sit outside of Alcmena’s room while she was in labor. When women gave birth they often held on to an amulet shaped like a frog to bring about a safe and healthy birth. This is symbolic of the snakes’ cyclical nature of shedding its own skin and regenerating. Harry's scar symbolizes the way he is bound for life to Voldemort, his sworn enemy. has never had to inquire into his own desires before, because the Nehebkau also protects the pharaoh in the afterlife. within himself and face the question of what he really wants. Because of this mortality Medusa could be killed by the hero Perseus. The owl symbolized wisdom to the ancient Greeks. That will determine the symbolism surrounding that animal. It is only fitting that the sky god have an eagle as his animal. The Harry Potter books are rich with … He is said to help the sun god Ra in his travels through the underworld. His new “skin” looked like a snake. Erec was provoked by the knight and so followed the “damsel” and her two men. ones; he wants to see his family alive and then wants to find the Sounds like a good description of Ron. on the successful interaction of several players acting cooperatively. We still have the superstition that when a black cat crosses your path, it means bad luck. In some societies, people thought of frogs and toads as symbols of growth and fertility. There are stories where people followed deer into a forest and found themselves in a magical realm. There is a very famous story of Zeus and Prometheus that involves an eagle. A person is called a “rat”, when he is deceitful or betrays another. Occlumency . There is hardly anything new in Harry Potter as far as symbolism and personification goes. Almena’s maid, Galanthis, tricked the goddess of childbirth by rushing out of the room to say that Hercules had been born. The Mirror of Erised shows us that who we are (literally, the reflection Harry's Nimbus 2000 … Voldemort, on the other hand, The … Their method of fighting was to latch onto the other animals’ snout and not let go until the opposing animal smothered to death. Ravenclaw. Hecate—she was the Greek goddess of the night and of crossroads. The cat familiar could communicate with her owner. A white peacock is a little different. Understand more about the deeper symbolism and philosophies of the Harry Potter Houses. his growing self-awareness, as the magic mirror forces him to look How a goat provides mead, a drink made from fermented honey, is a mystery! Alcmena was then able to give birth, for real, to Hercules. One of the reasons the snake is a symbol of evil and deception is due to its forked tongue. The Harry Potter … It constantly the Odyssey, Harry’s forehead lightning bolt is It's not unusual to find Ravenclaw students practicing especially different types of magic that other houses might shun. The forked tongue points in two different directions and this is seen as a symbol of deceitfulness in speech. The Egyptian god Apophis was a negatively depicted serpent god. Joan Rowling admitted that the creation of the emblem was influenced by Masonic symbolism. In Greek mythology the stag is sacred to Artemis, the goddess of the forest and hunting. In some legends seeing or crossing paths with a white stag symbolized you were about to go on a quest. Sirius said the dementors. Greek Mythology in the Harry Potter World, Greek creation story and the story of Persephone, Norse Mythology in the Harry Potter World, Celtic mythology in the Harry Potter world, Click here to go to the Harry Potter Portal Intro, Harry Potter Portal to Tree/Wood Symbolism, Harry Potter Portal to Number and Color Symbolism, Aud the Deep-Minded – Norse Women During the Viking Age, The badger usually represents determination, aggressiveness, independence, and tenacity. Goats can represent and symbolize many things. he seems to have everything he needs in his daily schedule of classes Another serpent from Greek mythology was Python, the daughter of Gaia and the guardian of Delphi, which at that time was supposed to be the center of the earth. Stone teaches us that we must temper our desires. The peacock is symbolic of fidelity, because it stays single if it loses its mate. The house colors represent the elements. The Celts associated deer with the spirit realm. Professor Umbridge looks like a toad. At the end of the contest Minerva was upset to find that Arachne’s tapestry was every bit as good as hers. In Harry Potter: Neville Longbottom owns a toad, Trevor, who always gets away from him. She is actually the first decent gift Harry has. They carry the mail, deliver the newspaper, and deliver messages. Harry's Lightening Bolt Scar (Symbol/Motif) Harry's scar symbolizes the way he is bound for life to Voldemort, his sworn enemy. Our Founder Robert R. Scarpin. You don’t want to eat your goddess! Of course, the feeling is mutual! According to the Sorting Hat, Hufflepuffs are “unafraid of toil.”, Bulldogs were originally bred for fighting. In Celtic mythology the boar is associated with a forest goddess, Arduinna, from Gaul. In one of the many stories about King Arthur by the French author Cretien de Troyes, King Arthur hunts a white stag. against the evil Voldemort, but also to the loving parents who tried deeper virtues taught at Hogwarts. The all-consuming importance The snake tricks Eve into eating the fruit of the Tree of Knowledge and brings about their Fall. The Greek hero Heracles had to kill the Hydra, a nine headed serpent. The lightning-shaped scar that Harry receives from Voldemort … a badge of honor, an emblem of having survived a great battle and The antlers symbolized the King of the Forest, because they were similar to the branches of trees and a king’s crown. Harry and meals. Snape first sees him at Hogwarts or when Quirrell tries to grab Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone; Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets; Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban; Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire; Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix; Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince; Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 1; Harry Potter … He had the ability to charm them by playing the harp, but one was not charmed and stung him in the heart, killing him. such ends alone is, like Voldemort, no longer a part of the team-spirit Peter Pettigrew was the secret keeper for the Potters and informed Lord Voldemort about where they were living. he never thinks twice about the scar until its history is finally The god Apollo eventually killed Python and put his own oracle at the temple of Delphi. Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone first published in England as Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone. In fact the first time Harry sees her. Names Almost all of the names in the Harry Potter series are significant. She made the mistake of boasting about her ability as a weaver…always a bad idea in the old stories! It is a symbol that was bestowed upon him after his parents died. Names Almost all of the names in the Harry Potter series are significant. Spiders are sometimes seen in creation stories, because they weave their own homes. Everyone proclaimed that she was the most beautiful maiden, and King Arthur was able to bestow upon her the kiss of the white stag. The emblematic animal symbol is an eagle, and blue and bronze are its colours.6 The Head of Ravenclaw is Filius Flitwick,79 and the house ghost is the Grey Lady,6 … In Greek mythology there is a famous tale about a boar hunt called the Calydonian Hunt. When Uncle Vernon was angry at Harry for the mishap with Dobby and the pudding he came “bearing down on Harry like a great bulldog, all his teeth bared” (COS, 21). The spider’s web could also be seen as the ultimate trick—it is difficult to see, so creatures just walk (or fly) right into it. They are spirited, obedient, and fearless. Note how the adults are depicted as hateful and perhaps strict. In his book Looking for God in Harry Potter, he argues extensively that just about every name, character, and event points in some way to Christianity. In Harry Potter the Hog’s Head is the tavern owned by Aberforth Dumbledore. They do a “war dance” where they hop up and down sideways, thrash and arch their backs, turn their heads from side to side, and hiss. He embodies the forces of evil and chaos, and he tries to ambush the sun god, Ra. They returned to the castle to celebrate and feast, but he had to determine which maiden was the most beautiful so he could bestow her with a kiss. Voldemort was stationed inside. The god Frey has a chariot pulled by two golden boars. The stag is symbolic of masculine power, fertility, and nobility. He’s named after Hermes, the messenger god of the Greeks. … A symbol is something that represents something other than itself. In Norse mythology there are four stags that eat at the branches of Yggdrasil, the World Tree. According to this story there is an ancient custom associated with killing a white stag—the person who kills the white stag must kiss the fairest maiden of the court, come what may. In Norse mythology there was an eagle who perched on the top of the World Tree Yggdrasil. Sirius Black means, virtually, Black Dog; the name Remus Lupin has its origins in the Latin word wolf, and in a co-founder of Rome, Remus, who was suckled by a wolf. The fact that Harry's scar hurts as a result of Voldemort's emotions or proximity to him further emphasizes this connection between them. If he is destroyed, the world will be plunged into chaos. Her husband and children were killed and she was taken captive by the Greek Odysseus. told to him. The colored dots and icons indicate which themes are associated with that … The Themes of Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone An Analysis of the Themes, Motifs and Symbols. Therefore, the logo has acquired additional associations and became one of the most popular among the fans of Harry Potter. The skull with the snake in its mouth is the symbol for eternal life. In Harry Potter’s magical world, nothing is as it seems—and that goes for the books themselves. Many of the animals seen in the books are often mentioned or important in Greek, Norse, Celtic, or Egyptian mythology. Lucina sat outside with her legs crossed and her hands tied and her garments bunched up in order to prevent Alcmena from giving birth right away. Even something as simple as the Hogwarts’ house colors hold a special meaning to the author and the fans that are young as well as those that are young at heart, like my wife and I. Hogwarts is a school of witchcraft and wizardry. One of the brothers-in-law, Gunnar, was later killed—thrown into a pit full of snakes. The Ouroboros is symbolic of the cycle of life and death, rebirth, renewal, and eternity. In other sections, we’ve seen symbolism with the different mythologies and how the gods and goddesses were associated with certain symbols. 3. Perhaps the most popular Harry Potter tattoo, the symbol of the hallows is graphic and simple. They can also symbolize fertility. In Norse mythology the most famous dog is Garm, the guardian of the realm of the dead, Helheim. The boar was killed and eaten every day and by the evening he was whole again. In some depictions, Freya is attended by hares with lanterns. People often mummified their cats to bury them! So when a large black dog starts stalking Harry at the beginning of the novel, and when later in the novel a psychic tells him that black dogs symbolize death, we know that if there's anyone who can cheat a death omen, … The Mirror of Erised The Mirror of Erised, which Harry encounters on accident one night, hidden in a random room, symbolizes how intense, emotionally charged desires can be dangerous. The Harry Potter books are rich with symbolism of all kinds—animals, numbers, colors, and the wood used for wands all have symbolic meanings. If you are interested in information about magical creatures please refer to Fantastical Beasts and Where to Find Them by J.K. Rowling. of Quidditch at the school shows that magic is not just a bookish Crookshanks helps lead Hermione and Harry into the Shrieking Shack through the hole in the Whomping Willow in, Professor McGonagall is an animagus who turns into a tabby cat.