Magic Wands and Symbolism

rainy_lilac at yahoo.com rainy_lilac at yahoo.com
Thu May 11 19:32:00 UTC 2000


Original Yahoo! HPFG Header:
No: HPFGUIDX C1283
From: rainy_lilac
Subject: Magic Wands and Symbolism
Date: 5/11/00 3:32 pm  (ET)

I have been reading the Dictionary of Symbols (Jack Tresidder) and found
a great deal that might be of interest to HP aficionados, and anyone
who likes digging into arcana ( I am told the JK has a great interest
in Medieval Alchemy-- has anyone else heard this?)

I have lately been interested in magic wands and their materials. Here
are some tidbits I found. I thought they were quite evocative:

Yew (As in Voldemort's wand):
A tree of immortality, which often is seen in English graveyards, and a
wood associated with strength, resilience, and magickal powers. (Druid
wands ans well as bows were made of it). In superstition, yew was lucky
to touch, but unlucky to bring into the house because its leaves and
seeds are poisonous.

Holly (As in Harry's wand):
A midwinter emblem of hope and joy, connected with the solstice and
with teh rebirth of the sacrificed God. In the Christian tradition, it
is associated with John the Baptist and with Christ's passion (death on
the cross) because of its thorn-like leaves and bright red berries.

Oak (as in Hagrid's wand):
Might, endurance, lonegvity, and nobility. The oak was sacred to the
thunder gods of Greece, Germany, Scandanavia, and Slavic countries,
possibly because it was thought to bear the brunt of lightning strikes. In
Druidic rites, it served as an axiel symbol and natural temple, associated
with male potency and wisdom. Although primarily a male emblem, Cybele,
Juno, and other great mother goddesses were also linked with the oak,
and the dryads were oak nymphs. Hercules's club was made of oak, and
according to some traditions, Christ died on an oaken cross.

Willow (As in Lily's wand):
For the Jews, a tree of lamentation, but in the east, a symbol of
the springtime of sexual love, feminine grace, and the sweet sorrow
of parting, resilience and immortality.... It is a Budhhist symbol of
meekness and compassion.... As a lunar and feminine symbol, one of the
most celebrated of all motifs in Chinese art and decoration.

Alas, no mention of mahogany in the book....






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