JKR's idea of horcruxes

[ibchawz]

No: HPFGUIDX 140471

Auria wrote:
> Something that I have been wondering (nothing really to do with the 
HP 
> plot but very relevant all the same) is where did JKR get the idea of 
> horcruxes?  I mean its a very unusual concept - to split one's soul 
> and 'keep' a piece in a separate place to gain immortality - and I 
> wonder if JKR had gotten this idea from any other literature 
somewhere 
> or if its entirely unique? Just my curiosity really, but does anyone 
> have any thoughts about this?  Afterall, its a very creepy idea isn't 
> it!
> Auria


ibchawz responds:
I'm not sure of the mythical basis for this concept, but I have read a 
similar concept in Fred Saberhagen's "Swords" series of books.  In the 
books, demons place their "life" in an inanimate object.  The demons 
could only be destroyed if the object containing their life was 
destroyed.  This is different from the horcruxes in that destroying the 
object is what would destroy the demon and each demon only had one life 
object.  In the "Swords" series, demons could be controlled through 
fear and/or intimidation if a person knew what object the demon's life 
was held in.  If the person actually had possession of the object and 
would threaten to destroy it, this control was extremely strong.

ibchawz