Grail Hallows?

[mryburge]

No: HPFGUIDX 163393

First post, so please be kind...

Perhaps the Deathly Hallows have some relation to the Grail Hallows
from Arthurian/Grail legend.  The Grail Hallows are the spear or
sword of Longinus (sometimes called the Spear of Destiny), which was
the sword or spear that the Roman Centurion used to pierce Christ's
side on the cross; the actual Grail cup itself; a box or container
to hold oil for annointing/baptism; and Aaron's rod or staff from
the Ark of the Covenant.  The Grail Hallows are are sometimes
identified with objects from Irish myth:  a spear, a cauldron, a
stone/platter/dish and a sword.

 So:  Helga Hufflepuff's cup/cauldron - which Voldemort already has;
      Godric Gryffondor's sword - in Dumbledore's office which
      Harry has already used once;
      Slytherin's locket/box - in Grimmauld Place
      Rowena Ravenclaw's wand/rod/spear - ??? maybe

Interesting that these objects are roughly akin to suits of the minor
arcana in Tarot (cups, swords, rods, pentacles).

Anyway, once you start thinking in terms of Grail legend, Perceval
comes to mind.   Maybe Harry is Rowling's version of the Grail
Knight.  Perceval was the knight from Arthurian Legend whose
mother/guardian kept him isolated and unaware of the world of
knighthood because of her fear that he would be killed in battle
like his knight-father.  Once Perceval becomes one of Arthur's
knights, however, he becomes the best.  Arthur has an inexplicable
interest and fondness for Perceval and becomes his mentor - which is
later explained by a blood relationship that Perceval doesn't know
about.  Perceval, in some stories, is said to have trained for 7
years (Hogwart's school term), before he goes off in search of the
grail.  In others, it is said to have taken him 7 years to find the
castle where the grail (and the other hallows) are located, because
the castle is enchanted and ordinary people can't see it.  Like
Muggles can't see Hogwarts.  Perceval finally succeeds in his quest,
heals the wounded fisher king (the grail guardian), restores balance
and healing to the "wasteland" and takes the place of the king.
Perceval's seat at the Round Table was called the "siege perilous,"
the "danger seat" reserved for the person who was on the quest for
the grail.   Wish I could remember how Perceval died!

mryburge