Elements

[Ceridwen]

No: HPFGUIDX 144921

Bruce:
> The relics don't add up, though.  The Cup should go with Slytherin, 
not
> Hufflepuff; similarly, Slytherin shouldn't have a Ring (a gem), but 
a Cup.  And
> a Sword is for Air, which would give a sword to Ravenclaw, not 
Griffindor.  Now,
> if the Cup had belonged to Helga Hufflepuff but had been given to 
her by Salazar
> Slytherin, and the Sword had belonged to Godric Griffindor but had 
been given to
> him by Rowena Ravenclaw--this is something that has come to me as I 
type
> this--it would imply something about the relationships among the 
Founders.

Ceridwen:
I'm a little confused.  JKR said the houses match up Gryffindor - 
Fire, Hufflepuff - Earth, Ravenclaw - Air, Slytherin - Water.  So, 
are we just doing this for exercise?  
http://www.mugglenet.com/jkrinterview3.shtml

If it's exercise, it looks like fun, so I'll play.  I'm not sure who 
mentioned it earlier, but there is an interaction between elements 
which can be either destructive or beneficial, depending on how they 
play against each other.  Water and earth will make you churn your 
wheels in the mud.  Or, water will bring plants from the earth.  If 
the items of the Founders are supposed to be elemental, then it would 
make sense, for instance, with a progression for Hufflepuff to have a 
cup, since water + earth = bounty.  Air and Fire are both necessary 
in forging a sword.

But I think JKR made her own correspondences here.  A cup for 
Hufflepuff - something a refined witch might have and cherish in her 
time, also, evidence of bounty.  A cornucopia, a glass overflowing 
with wine from the vine, and so on.  Godrick Gryffindor would have a 
sword because his house is noted for bravery.  Slytherin, as the 
house of old families, would be aristocratic and have a ring.  But 
that's only because I see what she's given to each of these 
Founders.  I can't make a real guess for Ravenclaw, unless we go back 
to the elements and progression.  In that case, I'd suggest something 
for Fire for her.  But, maybe it's a book, or a quill, a dictionary 
or the first copy of Hogwarts: A History, since Ravenclaw is the 
intellectual house.  Or, maybe one of those instruments in DD's 
office.

Just my thoughts, since I'm not too good with elements and their 
correspondences.  That's why I like search engines so much!  *g*

Ceridwen.