House Associations (Was: Re: Slytherin in Sorting Hat)

[Lady Macbeth]

No: HPFGUIDX 99434

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:   <snip> The Wand of Slytherin: <snip> The Coins of
Ravenclaw: <snip> The Cup of Hufflepuff: <snip>
Just a thought.



Lady Macbeth replies:

I've also noticed an elemental connection in the houses, but I set them up a
bit differently. In comparing the elements, names, symbols, colors and
traits given to the houses, I thought this association likely:

Gryffindor: Their symbol is the lion, a traditional fire-element creature.
This is also appropriate for the Gryffin, a creature said to appear as half
eagle and half lion.  Colors are red and gold - traditional colors
associated with fire; even five year olds use these colors when coloring in
fire.  Gryffindors, at least on the outside, are portrayed as brave, noble
and honorable - all traits that suggest a male element.  This points to
Wands - which, of its own, also indicates energy, creativity, passion and
spirit.  Interestingly enough, wands are also associated with career or work
situations.  In excess, this can lead to obsession about a career, as we've
seen in Percy Weasley.

Slytherin: Their symbol is the serpent, a traditional water-element
creature.  Their name reflects the symbolism well, as "slither" is most
often associated with snakes and serpents.  Colors are green and silver -
traditional colors associated with water.  Slytherins are portrayed as
ambitious, cunning, using any ends to achieve their goals and prideful of
blood heritage.  They are also noted for being sneaky, subversive and
otherwise "dark" magicians, all of which suggest a traditional female
element.  This points to Cups, which govern emotions, relationships, love
and intuition.  The least noticed aspect, however, is immediately seen but
rarely observed - the cup is a natural way to keep things hidden, and thus
is associated with hidden agendas.   (And, if we want to get nitpicky and
stretch things, who was it that kept winning the House CUP and the Quidditch
CUP until Harry showed up and shifted the balance?)

Hufflepuff: Their symbol is a badger, a defensive but not often noticed
creature of the earth.  They fiercely protect themselves and their
underground dens from intruders but otherwise stay out of peoples' way.
Colors are yellow (gold) and black - traditional colors associated with
earth.  Hufflepuffs are portrayed as hardworking, diligent, loyal,
unassuming and accepting.  Their quiet and accepting nature suggests a
female element.  This suggests Pentacles - Pentacles traditionally represent
money, material matters and physical well-being, but are also a reflection
of gain through hard work.

Ravenclaw: Their symbol is a hawk, an agressive and dominant bird of prey.
Birds, particularly birds of prey, have long been associated with the sky
and air, and thus the mind.  Ravenclaws find strength in intelligence and
dedication to education and study.  These aspects, the strength of the bird
and the focus of the mind, suggests a male element - Swords.  Swords
represent the mind and intellect, communicating and conflict.  As we saw
with Cho Chang, this can also (when reversed) be disastrous - lack of
communication and too much conflict fractures bonds.

I think that Harry pulling the Sword of Gryffindor was significant in that
it showed the Gryffindor in him - but that it was just that, a sword.  I
imagine a lot of "brave, daring and noble" men of Godric Gryffindor's era
carried them. ^_^;

-Lady Macbeth


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