User:Sandpiper/Deathly Hallows

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[edit] The meaning of "Hallows"

When asked "What does 'Deathly Hallows' mean?" J.K. Rowling responded, "Any clarification of the meaning of 'Hallows' would give away too much of the story - well, it would, wouldn't it? Being the title and all. So I'm afraid I'm not answering."[1]. She also declined to say what her two other shortlisted titles had been, at least until after publication. The release of the title has resulted in considerable speculation amongst fans as to its possible meanings.[2]

Hallow is a word usually used as a verb, meaning "to make holy or sacred, to sanctify or consecrate, to venerate". [3] However, in Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows, the word hallows appears as a noun. In modern English, the word is used as a noun in "All Hallows' Day" or "All Saints' Day," which is the day after Halloween or "All Hallows' Eve". Hallows can refer to saints, the relics of saints, the relics of gods, or shrines in which the relics are kept.[4], [5] Since the essence of these saints or gods were often considered present at their shrines and in their relics, hallows came to refer to the saints or gods themselves, rather than just their relics or shrines. So, the hallow (relic) of a hallow (saint) is hidden in a hallow (shrine). Hallow is not to be confused with hollow, such as in Godric's Hollow.

The word ‘hallows' has been used in a number of legends to represent important and powerful objects. [6] The Tuatha de Danaan in Ireland possessed six hallows, Manannan’s house, Goibniu’s shirt and tools, Lochlan’s helmet, Alba’s shears, a fishskin belt and Asal’s pig bones. These were guarded by four Guardians of the Hallows, Manannan, Lugh, Cumhal and Fionn. As the legend changed, the hallows became four objects; the spear of Lugh, Stone of Fal, Sword of Nuada and Dagda's Cauldron. These became the four suits in a pack of Tarot cards and took on the representation of the four magical elements, earth, air, fire and water.[7] The coronation ceremony for monarchs still contains four ritual objects, now represented as the sceptre, sword, ampulla of oil and crown. Similar objects also appear in Arthurian legends where the Fisher King is the guardian of four hallows; the sword, spear, dish and holy grail. [8] Earlier Arthurian legends also refer to a set of thirteen treasures of Britain.


[9]

The Magician. This Tarot card sometimes considered a representation of Hermes is traditionally shown with wand, cup, coin and sword
The Magician. This Tarot card sometimes considered a representation of Hermes is traditionally shown with wand, cup, coin and sword

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There had been much speculation from Harry Potter fans about whether the grail legend might play a part in the final Harry Potter book, even before publication of the book's title, and a connection between the four founders of Hogwarts, their relics, and the four hallows in the grail legend has been suggested.[10] It is known from the books that Godric Gryffindor's relic is a sword, Helga Hufflepuff's relic is a cup (chalice), and Salazar Slytherin's relic is a locket (pentacle), presumably leaving Rowena Ravenclaw's relic as a spear or wand.

In addition, many scholars have argued that the four hallows in the Grail legend symbolize the four natural elements (earth, fire, water, and air).[11]


J. K. Rowling has explicitly stated that the four Hogwarts founders represent the four natural elements. Helga Hufflepuff and her house Hufflepuff connects with earth (the house's symbol is a Badger), Rowena Ravenclaw and Ravenclaw with air (the symbol is a bird), Salazar Slytherin and Slytherin with water (the symbol is a snake), and Godric Gryffindor and Gryffindor with fire (the symbol is a Lion, a zodiac fire sign, and fire is often associated with protection from evil in Harry Potter, for example it is used to combat Inferi). This solidifies the connection between the four founders and the four hallows in the Grail legend.[12]


It is also stated in the books that Harry Potter must find four horcruxes, and that Voldemort wanted a hallow, or relic, from each of the four founders.








  • Rowling clarified that "Dumbledore is definitely dead", when asked by Salman Rushdie and others at Radio City Music Hall in New York City. Rowling answered the same question three times, each time with increasing conviction.[13]. However, on the set of Order of the phoenix film, She remarked; "Dumbledore's giving me a lot of trouble". When asked by Daniel Radcliff, surely he was dead, she explained; "Well, yeah, but it's more complex ...".[14]

[edit] References

  1. ^ J.K.Rowling Official Site. FAQ section. Retrieved on 2007-2-6.
  2. ^ The Grail Hallows and Harry Potter. HP-Lexicon (2006). Retrieved on 2007-1-23.
  3. ^ Dictionary.com. Lexico Publishing Group, LLC. (2007-01-15). Retrieved on 2007-1-23.
  4. ^ The Fisher King. University of Idaho (April 1999). Retrieved on 2007-1-23.
  5. ^ Oxford English Dictionary. Oxford University Press. 
  6. ^ Arthurian A-ZZ. Mystical WWW. Retrieved on 2007-2-16.
  7. ^ THE FOUR BASIC TOOLS. Rhuddlwm Gawr (1998). Retrieved on 2007-1-29.
  8. ^ The Fisher King. University of Idaho (April 1999). Retrieved on 2007-1-23.
  9. ^ The cltic tarot and the secret traditions. findarticles (1998). Retrieved on 2007-2-16.
  10. ^ The Grail Hallows and Harry Potter. Bandersnatch (2006). Retrieved on 2007-1-23.
  11. ^ THE FOUR BASIC TOOLS. Rhuddlwm Gawr (1998). Retrieved on 2007-1-29.
  12. ^ The Four Founders and the Magician Card. Erin Dolmage (2006). Retrieved on 2007-1-29.
  13. ^ "[He Who Was Killed in Book Six] is Really Dead, JKR Rethinks Title of Book Seven, More from Radio City", news report, The Leaky Cauldron, August 2, 2006.
  14. ^ "Interview with Daniel Radcliffe", news report, The Leaky Cauldron, February 12, 2007.

[edit] External links

[edit] not very exciting

[edit] removed refs

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