Things that will come into play later

[snapesmate]

No: HPFGUIDX 80076

--- In HPforGrownups at yahoogroups.com, Nadia Kennedy 
<hulahulagirl205 at y...> wrote:
<snip> 
> ab35ppw replied:
> > Historically swans are a symbol of hypocrisy, as they have white 
> > feathers, so they appear "pure", but they have black flesh. Cho's 
> > swan patronus may very well be an indication that her pretty 
> exterior masks a darker interior.  
> >  <snip>
>  Hello!
>  I just want to add another few meanings to the symbol of the swan. 
> According to author J.E. Cirlot in "A Dictionary of 
Symbols", "...the 
> swan always points to the complete satisfaction of desire, the swan-
> song being a particular allusion to desire which brings about its 
own 
> death." Another quote, then I'm done. The swan "...denotes 
melancholy 
> and passion, self-sacrifice, and the way of tragic art and 
> martyrdom." There is also a little bit about how the swan 
> represents "philosophical Mercury" to alchemists.
>  
>  Interestingly, the book says nothing about otters.<wink>
>  
>  Nadia

No, but in an interview, JKR said (paraphrasing) she felt otters were 
fun and playful.  I think she had been asked what animal she would 
like to be.  As for swans...  not all swans are white.  There are 
also beautiful BLACK swans.  Since a patronus is silvery smoke, we 
cannot be sure what "colour" Cho's swan would be.