Animagus & Patronus Symbolism

[Adan]

No: HPFGUIDX 104544

There have been a great many posts with snippets of what the 
different animals could mean, but I decided to do a little research 
(though only with reference materials I have on hand) and put them 
together in one place.

ANIMAGUS FORMS and THEIR SYMBOLS
SIRIUS/DOG:  
~Every mythology has an association of the dog with death, Hell and 
the Underworld. The primary mythic role of the dog is as a 
psychopomp: a conductor of souls to the Underworld, a leader or guide 
of souls. Having been companion in the light of the living day, the 
dog becomes the guide through darkness and death. However, dogs do 
more than simply guide the dead. They also act as the intermediaries 
between the two worlds and as spokesmen for the living to question 
the dead. Although dogs descend to the Underworld, more often they 
are its guardians.

~In the Celtic world, the dog was associated with the warrior caste. 
In Brittany, the 'Black Dog of the Mots d'Arree represent the damned.

~"The Irish remembered the dog's connection with death and maintained 
that true curses could be cast with a dog's help.  Among the Celts, 
cainte, 'dog,' denoted a satiric bard with magic power to speak 
curses that would come true." (Woman's Encyclopedia of Myths and 
Secrets, p.245)

~Alchemists "used the analogy of the dog being devoured by the wolf 
for the purification of gold by antimony, the penultimate stage of 
the 'Great Work'... Simultaneously, dog and wolf, sage - or saint - 
purifies himself by devouring himself; in other words, by an act of 
self-sacrifice he finally reaches the last stage of spiritual self-
mastery." (Penguin Dictionary of Symbols, p.303)

Adan: Will Sirius help guide Harry? Will he be the intermediary for 
James or Lily to give information to Harry? As has been theorized by 
others could Sirius return as a dog - perhaps aiding Harry with a 
spell? Oh, I wish I still had my alchemy texts. 

JAMES/STAG:
~Often compared to the tree of life, symbolizing fecundity and the 
rhythms of growth and rebirth.
~Herald of daylight and guide to the light of the Sun. Furthermore, 
in some traditions, the stag is regarded as an intercessor between 
Heaven and Earth.

~Stags are also mentioned as symbols of longevity, but more 
particularly as those of prosperity. The Chinese attribute 
aphrodisiac properties to the antlers or a strengthening of the yang-
somewhat important in that it also has use in techniques to gain 
immortality. 

~Stags are prominent in Celtic myth and without in depth research it 
is best left to confine the symbolism to longevity and plenty. One 
legend in particular has St Patrick changing "himself and his 
companions into stags to escape the trap laid by the pagan King 
Loegaire. He succeeded in so doing thanks to a magical practice 
called feth fiada, normally used to confer invisibility."(Penguin 
Dictionary of Symbols, p.922) 

~The stag is used by writers and artists to alternately symbolize 
swiftness, melancholy humour, prudence, ardor, hearing and lyric 
poetry.
~In Holy Scripture, the stag slays serpents, using its breath to draw 
them from their lairs.

~"The stag is often associated with the unicorn, and is then the 
alchemical symbol for mercury. A plate illustrating Lambsprinck's 
masterpiece, the 14th C. Philosopher's Stone, depicts these two 
creatures face to face in the undergrowth. The poem which accompanies 
this third figure reveals that the stag symbolizes mercury (the male 
aspect) and the spirit, while the unicorn symbolizes the sulphur (the 
female aspect) and the soul, while the forest is salt and the body." 
(PDoS, p. 923)

Adan: James has already conferred invisibility to Harry via his 
cloak. Will James intercede in the Otherworld on someone's behalf - 
perhaps allowing Harry and/or Sirius to return to the living? Plus, 
the more I read, the more I agree with someone else's idea that 
Lily's patronus is a Unicorn. I can't remember who, but good going on 
that one!  

PETER/RAT:
~Often regarded as the image of avarice and greed, of theft and 
misappropriation of riches. Many mythical instances of the rat are 
favorable, but it has been unable to overcome being seen as 
frightening and even infernal.
~Often associated with serpents and moles.

Adan: So, who is the mole?  Or is there another spy?  Or could we 
substitute ferret(Malfoy)?

I also did some looking at the patronus forms and their symbols, but 
what I found did not lead me to many great conclusions.  However, 
maybe someone brighter than I can see something in them.

PATRONUS FORMS and THEIR SYMBOLS:
HARRY/STAG: See James

HERMIONE/OTTER:
~In Celtic lore, the symbolism of the otter complements that of the 
dog. Evidence of the role of conductor of souls comes from a Romanian 
fold song.
~ The Ojibwa Indians believe that the messenger of the Great Spirit 
revealed the most sublime secrets to the otter. The otter is an 
initiating spirit which kills and restores to life.

Adan:  Probably this symbolism is not important.  I believe JKR has 
said that she just likes otters.

CHO/SWAN:
~Its whiteness, strength and grace is seen as a living manifestation 
of light, and of nobility and valour.
~It is said that when swans die they sing their most beautiful song.
~Swans mate for life.
~In Celtic literature, inhabitants of the Otherworld who wish to 
enter the terrestrial world often take a swan's shape and generally 
travel in pairs linked by gold or silver chain. Many instances of 
shapeshifting between human and swan form are present.
~"Alchemists have always regarded it as an emblem of mercury, being 
of the same colour and as mobile. It's volatility, too, is displayed 
by its wings. It is an expression of the marriage of opposites (Fire 
and Water)..." (PDoS, p.955)

Adan:  Swans mate for life... could she continue to mourn Cedric, 
leaving Harry available for somebody else? Somebody better.