Old topics need new tricks (was:Re:Harry's Holly Wand and associated symbolism)

[eloiseherisson at aol.com]

No: HPFGUIDX 42881

In a message dated 18/08/2002 15:25:14 GMT Standard Time, SaalsG at cni-usa.com 
writes:

> > ~Phyllis replied:
> > My theory on why JKR chose holly as Harry's wand wood is because
> > holly is associated with Christmas, and I am of the belief that
> Harry is meant to save the wizarding world from evil as Christ was
> sent to save the world from evil. >>>>>>>>>>
> 
> 
> Talisman replies:
> I strongly agree that in matching Harry to a holly wand Rowling has
> provided a critical symbolic key to the HP series. Holly is
> traditionally associated with the cycle of death/rebirth, or
> reserection, being a plant that remains green in winter.  (An answer
> as well to those who have opined about Harry's death in threads such
> a "Horrible to Write.")
> 
> 

People who are interested in this topic and who weren't around back in May 
might like to know that we had a huge discussion about it back then, under 
the Stoned!Harry heading. 
It starts with Caroline's explanation of some of the alchemical symbolism 
used by JKR (#38542) and goes on to find masses of potential Christian 
symbolism, indications that Harry will sacrifice himself, the meanings of and 
contrasts between Voldemort's yew wand and Harry's Holly wand, etc, etc.
It was a very fruitful discussion and I recommend reading it as a lot of 
research on this topic has already been done and posted by members of this 
group.

(Putting 'wand symbolism' into the archive search engine does link to the 
Stoned!Harry thread, amongst others. I know, because I just tried it.)

I believe Stoned!Harry has also been written up for Hypothetic Ally, but the 
link doesn't seem to be working at the moment (not for me, anyway).
(A walk down Hypothetic Alley will inform you of many of the theories 
currently floating around.)

Eloise


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