Marvolo-Lockhart-Color Symbolism

[Leanne Daharja Veitch]

No: HPFGUIDX 44490


   From: Moonstruck <myphilosophy2001 at yahoo.com>
Subject: Re: Marvolo-Lockhart-Color Symbolism

Daharja wrote:
<<<[N]ot only is Slytherin associated with emotion and
<unreliability, but with *silver*, which is the colour
<traditionally representative of the female aspect in
<Pagan symbolism (and in the symbolism of several
<other religions). Gryffindor, however, is associated
<clearly with *chivalry* and the colour *gold*, which
<represents the male aspect in Paganism....[W]hy has
<JKR portrayed Slytherin as so evil when she herself
<is female?>>

Moonstruck wrote:
<<I'm definitely intrigued by this analyzation of the
house colors -- the HP series is clearly not feminist
in nature. However, going by the silver-Slytheryn-evil
idea, how do you explain Dumbledore, who appears to be
the supreme personification of Good and is often
associated with lunar/silver symbols (the half-moon
glasses, his silver hair)? And what of the Patronus,
the anti-Dementor spell that saves Harry and Sirius in
PoA? The physical representation of it is a *silver*
mass. The sword of Gryffindor, too, is silver.>>

Good point. I would argue that Dumbledore represents a balance of male
and female symbolism, in many respects. He is clearly associated with
gold and Gryffindor - the auburn hair, for example). And I note that on
the back cover of PS (my Australian edition), Dumbledore is wearing *Red
and Gold* striped trousers under his robes! However, you are quite right
about the silver hair and glasses. I think he represents balance between
the Houses, and harmony between male & female, positive and negative.
One could argue that if he is able to draw on energy from both
directions, this could explain why he is so powerful.

Daharja XXX