[HPforGrownups] Re: Maroon

[Helen R. Granberry]

No: HPFGUIDX 88600

[neisra asks]

Can anyone guess what the deal is with the color maroon so frequently 
associated with Ron?

When his clothing is described (sweaters, dress robes, etc), it is  
almost always maroon.

Does this color symbolize anything?


[Anne Responds}

Hmmmm...one guess is one that goes on the assumption by a lot of us 
that Rowling uses anything from names to colors for symbology...

'Maroon' is a shade of deep red---red is one of the colors of 
Gryffindor...and, if (warning: movie contamination), they got the 
color of the 'R' on Ron's sweater right in regards to the books 
(anyone remember if it was gold or yellow in the book?), then this 
might be one of Rowling's ways of reinforcing that Ron is indeed a 
Gryff to the bone...(Not to mention red hair and Maroon tend to go 
together rather well--who is to say Molly doesn't have a good grasp 
of color and fashion sense? Her knitting might be another matter 
though...^^;...)

And for those who are adhering to the 'Ron as Dumbly" 
theory....doesn't Dumbly often wear maroon robes....? Or is that a 
mis-remembering on my part...?

*Sigh* stuck at work with no HP books again....I really need a pocket 
version of the books to keep up with you guys....;)

Anne



Helen (LizardLaugh) chimes in:

As a crazed Ron=DD fanatic, I've given the maroon question more thought
than I feel is healthy to admit. Dumbledore's robes, when described, are
actually purple. However, maroon is a color between red and purple, so
there you go. 

When looking for what maroon might stand for in terms of symbolism
(particularly medieval coat of arms type symbolism), it was usually
grouped with brown or purple. So, really, useless. 

However, and this made even ME groan, and I love puns... but perhaps Ron
hates maroon because he will eventually be 'marooned' in time?

Now, if you want to talk movie contamination... Dumbledore's robes ARE
maroon.