Slytherin in Sorting Hat

[Mandy]

No: HPFGUIDX 99284

 "theadimail wrote:
> > Hi,  We know that The Sorting Hat has elements of all the four 
> founders  of Hogwarts in it. If Godric Gryffindor's element was his 
sword which  Harry pulled out, true to Gryffindor's essential 
quality  which is supposed to be bravery, what could be the element 
of Salazar Slytherin that is hidden in it?

> Wanda
> It's difficult to guess:  bravery=sword is an easy link to make, 
but what would equal "ambition"?  <snip>  I think the four founders 
are also  representative of the four elements: fire, water, air and 
earth, all  of which are necessary for life, and Slytherin would 
represent the  water element, but how that could physically end up in 
the Sorting  Hat is problematic.  Perhaps we're not supposed to take 
the legend literally?


Mandy here:
I immediately though of the Tarot when I read the above posts. The 
four suits in Tarot are Swords, Cups, Wands, and Coins, and each suit 
is equated with one of the four elements, Air, Water, Fire and 
Earth.  While thinking about symbolism and the four Hogwarts houses, 
this is what I came up with:

The Sword of Gryffindor:
Gryffindor as bravery is obviously the suit of Swords, as represented 
by the Sword of Godrick Gryffindor.  Swords are equated with 
conflict.  They point to decisive action and interaction, as well as 
mental activity. Very much Gryffindor to me. The element of air is 
the sword.

The Wand of Slytherin:
Slytherin as ambition has got to be the suit of Wands.  Wands are all 
about Enterprise, Growth, Goals and Ambitions. The element of fire.  
You've got to have a fire burning in your soul to drive ambition.  
Drawing a wand out of the Sorting hat with Slytherin's name on it 
could be interesting.  It could be seen as destructive, but also just 
the thing to achieve you goal with. 

The Coins of Ravenclaw:
Ravenclaw is Coins.  The suit of Coins represents the Material. 
Materialistic gain, but don't think necessarily about stereos and 
cars. Material gain also includes the need to know how why things 
are. The acquisition of knowledge, and achievement in understanding.  
The element of earth, the Coin. Very grounded and solid.

The Cup of Hufflepuff:
Hufflepuff, as the hard working kids who's focus is not on ambition, 
the material or bravery, are left with the matters of the heart and 
soul.  The suit of Cups represents emotion and matters of the heart. 
The element of water.

Just a thought.
Cheers, Mandy