The magic behind Animals and Creatures

Amazing creatures also live in the wizard realm. Some enchanted beings are helpful, serving as messengers and companions, while others are malicious, causing disruptions and wounding others. As you might have noticed, each house is represented by a symbolic beast, such as a brave lion, representing Gryffindor and a sly snake, representing Slytherin. Hedwig, the owl named for a medieval saint, shadows Harry, delivering his mail. Owls symbolize wisdom, and although Hedwig does not speak, her actions often inspire Harry to do the right thing. She also comforts him, and Harry nurtures her, forming a bond between eachother that provides Harry with emotional security. Fawkes, Dumbledore�s pet phoenix, appropriately named for Guy Fawkes of the historic British gunpowder plot, symbolizes the cycle of rebirth at Hogwarts as new students matriculate. Both birds demonstrate unadulterated loyalty based on kinder love.

Ron, coming from a poor wizard family is unable to afford an owl, therefore he is given a hand-me-down rat named Scabbers. This rat reflects Ron�s hand-me-down existence. Scabbers� slothful existence and damaged body provide clues about his previous activities and future intentions. He proves to be a rat in more than one ways. Mrs. Norris, Filch�s cat, is considered by the students to be an unfair informant, alerting Filch to their whereabouts and possible misdemeanors. Hermione�s cat Crookshanks is also unsavory but proves to be more loyal then contrary. Readers are left unsure after book three whether Crookshanks is truly a feline or perhaps an Animagus. Though we soon learn from Fantastic Beasts and Where to find them, that Crookshanks is a Kneazle. A Kneazle is a cat like creature that is intelligent, independent, and sometimes aggressive.

Dogs are also symbolic in the Potter novels. Harry could be considered an underdog and a runt. He is able to bypass Fluffy, the watchdog, on his first adventure. In the third book he fears the grim, which turns out to be Sirius Black. Aunt Marge�s favorite bulldog, Ripper, loathes Harry and symbolizes the Dursley�s brutish nature. Then there is Fang, who is Hagrids pet. He is somewhat cowardly like his owner, yet he acts as a protector to Harry and his friends.

The centaurs are mostly aloof except for Firrenze, whose name suggests that he is a Renaissance man-beast. While the other centaurs are more animalistic and feel no accountability toward Harry, Firenze�s human qualities make him intuitive, empathetic, and concerned with Harry�s well beings.

Buckbeak, the Hippogriff�s name suggests a kindness with the Gryffindors. Buckbeak is another half horse creature who lacks the centaurs� intelligence and intellectual reasoning and proves to be a helpful, obedient beast despite the Malfoys� accusations that he is dangerous. An amalgam of dutiful horse and cunning eagle, Buckbeak does not tolerate insults and is able to take revenge against Draco that is forbidden for Harry to enact.

The dragon Norbert is Harry�s alter ego. He acts towards his foster parents (Hagrid) as Harry wishes he could act against his (The Dursleys). He literally bites the hand that feeds him. Norbert was sent to safety in a crate, much like toddler Harry was sent to the Dursleys in a bundle of blankets.

Dobby, a house elf, who once belonged to Lucius Malfoy, tries to warn Harry, whom he idolizes. He warns Harry of the dangers that Malfoy is plotting to rid Hogwarts of all mudbloods. Dobby could be malevolent but he is most harmful to himself, physically punishing himself for talking to Harry and betraying his master. Dobby best symbolizes the duality of the wizard world�s inhabitants. Although he is submerged in evil, Dobby tries to be good and is confused about his behavior.

FAMOUS ANIMALS

Buckbeak: The hippogriff's name simply suggests his dual nature as part eagle and part horse. When a horse bucks, it kicks its back legs out and upward. A beak is of course a bird's mouth.

Crookshanks: From the old English for "crooked legs."

Errol: The elderly owl's name is derived from a Scottish place name; it means "to wander."

Fawkes: Dumbledore's phoenix is named for Guy Fawkes, an English Catholic who plotted with several others to blow up the Houses of Parliament in November 1605. Being a Catholic was illegal, and citizens were expected to belong to the Church of England. Fawkes and a number of others were captured for the "Gunpowder Plot," charged with treason and hanged in 1606. The British still celebrate Bonfire Night every 5 November by setting off fireworks, building big fires and burning effigies (likenesses) of Fawkes in memory of how the conspiracy was stopped.

Fluffy: Fluff is down, the soft feathers on a bird, or fuzz. Fluffy in turn means "soft" or "light." Rowling gave this ironic name given to the huge three-headed dog as a humorous device -- Hagrid loves those dangerous animals and gives them such gentle-sounding names!

Hedwig: Hedwig is German for "battling." St. Hedwig (1174-1243) was the Duchess of Silesa, Germany, and wife of King Henry I. She was remembered as wise and deeply religious. She was noted for her generous assistance to Catholic monks and for unselfishly tending lepers within her kingdom. Hedwig also was responsible for starting an order of nuns who cared for orphans.

Hermes: Greek messenger of the gods; same as Mercury in Roman mythology. The name of Percy's owl may come from the Greek for "cairn" or "pile of stones." Hermes also was the patron of travelers, among others.

Nagini: Naga from Sanskrit for "snake" or "serpent." There were serpent gods found throughout central and east Asia. For example, Naga was a serpent god that inspired a pre-Buddhhist cult in Burma. A nagini in India is a snake being (1) that is worshipped as a god and believed to be protective, including from snake bites. The second definition is along the lines of Voldemort's large female snake: (2) the Nagini were attractive female snake beings with human bodies with either have snake heads or snake coils.

Norbert: The Norwegian Ridgeback dragon's name is from the Scandinavian for "brilliant hero"; also German for "northern (nord) brightness (beraht)." The Scandinavian peoples live in Norway, Sweden and Denmark. St. Norbert (1080-1134) was a German saint who began a life of great pleasure until he was nearly killed. He became a patient, humble priest and founder of a religious order.

Pigwidgeon: Pigwidgeon means "small" or "petty" and also can be spelled pigwidgin or pigwiggin. It combines pig with widgeon, two species of duck found in North America and Europe. English author and poet Michael Drayton (1663-1631) had a male fairy named "Pigwiggen" in his comical poem Nimphidia.

Scabbers: A scab (1) is the crusty covering blood forms over a wound as it clots. This meaning could reflect the rat's battered, threadbare appearance. (2) A scab is also a worker hired to replace others who are on strike. (3) Slang for a horrible person -- could reflect Peter Pettigrew's true nature.