House characteristics

[kkersey_austin]

No: HPFGUIDX 150663

Something I never remember seeing discussed here (likely I just missed
it) is that JKR has said that the four houses relate to the four
classical elements - 
Griffyndor = fire, 
Hufflepuff = earth,
Ravenclaw = air,
Slytherin = water.

The house colors, their locations within Hogwarts (e.g. Slytherin
being beneath the lake) and even the house characteristics and
rivalries correspond with the elements. So no suprise that watery
Slytherin comes from the fens, or that earth-y Hufflepuff comes the
"valley broad". Moor and glen aren't quite as straightforward, but if
glen is associated with the Scottish Highlands that would work well
enough. "Wild moor" being associated with fire is perhaps not so
straightforward, but I can't help but think of the opening chapter of
Far From the Madding Crowd when I think of wild moors... 

Geoff, does any of this work out with how these geographic features
are generally perceived? I live in Texas, where we're not likely to
encounter moors, glens or fens outside of Thomas Hardy novels. 

Elisabet