Death Eaters (WAS: Tom Riddle's mother /NOW ALSO Salazar and DE's)

[goodfeelinggal23]

No: HPFGUIDX 71983

Cindy wrote ::
<<Which brings me to another topic for discussion. Death Eaters. 
Perhaps a long, long time ago, when almost all wizards were pure 
bloods, DE's were seen as the good guys. Kind of a wizard-army (or 
Knights - as jkr has stated in an interview that the DE's used to be 
called the Knights of Something). But as times changed, DE's didn't, 
andso they became known as *dark*, and indeed became dark when they 
chose a new leader - namely Voldemort. I know it doesn't have much to 
do withwhy Tom's mum married a muggle, but it doeshave a bit to do 
with Salazar, and she is a descendant.>>

now me ::

The Death Eaters were originally called the Knights of Walpurgis. In 
Germany, on Walpurgisnacht, witches would gather and hold a large 
celebration in anticipation of cavorting with the devil. Walpurgis 
Night is now associated with the May 1 riots in Berlin. 
Interestingly, in Finland and Sweden, Walpurgis has a slightly less 
negative connotation, and seems to be similar to innocent May Day 
celebrations, like dancing around the Maypole.  So perhaps there is 
something in your theory of the Death Eaters being good and then 
being mutated into something darker. I like it. :) For my part, the 
moniker of "Death Eaters" always confused me slightly. Are they 
literally eating death? What is the metaphorical significance 
of "eating death?" I know Voldemort wants to avoid and defeat death, 
but eating it? I never really got it.

mandi