The Phoenix, the Stag, the Otter and the Swan (also posted on HPfGU)

[Phyllis]

The "Phoenix" in the "Order of the Phoenix:"

I thought it was notable that there is no definition provided in OoP 
of why the Order of the Phoenix is named after a phoenix. I believe 
the Order received its name from Fawkes, Professor Dumbledore's 
phoenix, and I think Fawkes was Godric Gryffindor's phoenix when 
Gryffindor was alive because:

- Fawkes is scarlet and gold, the colors of Gryffindor House. 
Harry's wand contains one of Fawkes' feathers as its magical core, 
and red and gold sparks fly from the end of his wand the first time 
he waves it in PS/SS as well as in his anger at the Dursleys in OoP. 

- Fawkes lives in Dumbledore's office along with the Sorting 
Hat and sword that we are told once belonged to Gryffindor. We are 
told for the first time in CoS that Dumbledore's office door has a 
griffin-shaped knocker; the griffin knocker is referred to twice in 
OoP. 

- In legend, the griffin was believed to be the adversary of 
serpent and basilisks. This could be a parallel to Gryffindor's 
Fawkes and Slytherin's basilisk. When I originally came up with this 
theory, I thought it might also be a clue to a possible good-against-
evil fight between Gryffindor and Slytherin 1,000 years ago. This 
was verified in OoP during the Sorting Hat's song which refers to 
their duelling and fighting. Moreover, Fawkes helps Harry defeat the 
basilisk in the Chamber and phoenix song strengthens Harry both in 
the Chamber and in the graveyard in Goblet of Fire. 

So, perhaps the Order of the Phoenix during the first war was 
carrying on the Gryffindor-Slytherin fight against Voldemort, with 
James the descendant of Gryffindor fighting Voldemort, the descendant 
of Slytherin.

Harry's Stag Patronus:

I believe that Harry's stag patronus and James' stag animagus 
represent Harry and James' descendancy from Godric Gryffindor because 
in the legend of "St. Godric and the Hunted Stag," a hunting party is 
pursuing a particularly beautiful stag, which runs to St. Godric's 
hermitage for shelter. St. Godric protects the stag from the 
hunters. So in the second war, the Order of the Phoenix is again 
carrying on the Gryffindor-Slytherin fight against Voldemort, with 
Harry the descendant of Gryffindor fighting Voldemort, the descendant 
of Slytherin.

Hermione's Otter Patronus:

It was the life of St. Cuthbert which influenced St. Godric to become 
religious. There is a legend about St. Cuthbert which says that 
otters revived him after he had prayed through the night while up to 
his neck in cold sea water. As St. Godric is represented in art with 
a stag by his side, St. Cuthbert is represented in art tended by 
otters and swans. Which leads us to...

Cho's Swan Patronus:

I couldn't find any legends about St. Cuthbert and swans, but he was 
fond of the eider-duck, which is regarded as the first bird in the 
world to have been given conservation protection, when St. Cuthbert 
offered the eider duck sanctuary on the Farne Islands in the seventh 
century. Eider-ducks are called "Saint Cuthbert's ducks" 
or "Cuddy's" ducks. (see: 
http://www.bbc.co.uk/radio4/science/livingworld_20020303.shtml)

So perhaps Hermione's otter patronus and Cho's swan patronus are 
clues which support both the Heir of Gryffindor theory as well as 
Hermione and Cho's potential future roles in reviving Harry after he 
has suffered.

Other Interesting Parallels:

St. Cuthbert lived on the wild moors. Godric Gryffindor is referred 
to being "from wild moor" during the Sorting Hat's song in GoF.

When St. Cuthbert's body was moved in 1104 to the new cathedral of 
Durham, his body was found to be perfectly preserved as was the head 
of St. Oswald, which had been placed with Cuthbert's body for safety. 
It is from this point that the head of St. Oswald was adopted as the 
symbol of St. Cuthbert. (see: 
http://www.britainexpress.com/History/saxon/cuthbert.htm)

In OoP, we learn that Fudge's middle name is "Oswald." Does this 
suggest that Fudge will be beheaded in book 6 or 7 (I can only 
hope!)? Or perhaps that he will see the light and join the fight 
against Voldemort?

There are several otter references in the books -- the Weasley's 
house is near the village of *Ottery* St. Catchpole, and the 
Weasleys, the Diggorys and Harry find the Portkey to the Quidditch 
World Cup at the top of *Stoat*shead Hill. Not to mention Hagrid's 
stoat sandwiches and the fact that otters are cousins to weasels.

St. Cuthbert was an orphan, like Harry.

There is only one character so far in the series with the name 
of "Cuthbert" - Cuthbert Mockridge, Head of the Goblin Liaison 
Office, who is mentioned in passing in Ch. 7 of GoF. We've heard 
lots about goblin rebellions, and learn more about how goblins have 
historically been repressed by wizards in OoP. Perhaps goblins will 
play a larger role in books 6 and 7 and we'll learn more about 
Cuthbert Mockridge.

~Phyllis