Wands in Harry Potter"s World
In Harry Potter's world, no wizard or witch is truly complete without a wand.
Wizards use wands to channel their magic powers so that they can cast spells, although as it happens, some are able to work magic without wands.
However, it's apparently very difficult to do powerful and focused spells without a wand.
While it would seem that a wand increases a person's magical ability, it is more correct to say that the wand serves as a focus for magic.
Think of magic as sunlight and wands as magnifying glasses: Sunlight can burn a leaf when focused through a glass.
Mr.
Ollivander is said to be the best wand maker alive, although many favor the European wands made by Gregorovitch.
Ollivander comes from a long line of wandmakers who have been working their craft since 382 B.
C.
Wands are made of wood, and each one has some item or substance as its magical core.
Ollivander typically used one of three items as a magical core: Unicorn hair, dragon heartstring, or a phoenix feather.
Other wandmakers might use different materials, such as veela hair.
Wands are peculiar things that seem to have personalities and rules of their own.
According to Ollivander, the wand chooses the wizard-- not the other way around.
A wand remains loyal to its chosen wizard.
Although it's possible for a wizard to use another's wand, it won't feel quite natural; the wizard will have the most success with the wand that chose him.
A wand will often reflect the qualities of the wizard.
For example, Hagrid's wand was made from sturdy oak.
Dolores Umbridge's wand is short, just like her.
Often it seems that the wood used to make the wand corresponds with the wizard's date of birth according to the Celtic calendar; a tree is associated with each month in the Celtic year, and each tree has its own symbolic meaning.
It works rather like the zodiac.
Harry's wand is made from holly, which corresponds with his birthday (July 31st).
Incidentally, holly symbolizes luck, protection, as well as death and rebirth.
If there isn't a Hogwarts class on wand lore, there ought to be!
Wizards use wands to channel their magic powers so that they can cast spells, although as it happens, some are able to work magic without wands.
However, it's apparently very difficult to do powerful and focused spells without a wand.
While it would seem that a wand increases a person's magical ability, it is more correct to say that the wand serves as a focus for magic.
Think of magic as sunlight and wands as magnifying glasses: Sunlight can burn a leaf when focused through a glass.
Mr.
Ollivander is said to be the best wand maker alive, although many favor the European wands made by Gregorovitch.
Ollivander comes from a long line of wandmakers who have been working their craft since 382 B.
C.
Wands are made of wood, and each one has some item or substance as its magical core.
Ollivander typically used one of three items as a magical core: Unicorn hair, dragon heartstring, or a phoenix feather.
Other wandmakers might use different materials, such as veela hair.
Wands are peculiar things that seem to have personalities and rules of their own.
According to Ollivander, the wand chooses the wizard-- not the other way around.
A wand remains loyal to its chosen wizard.
Although it's possible for a wizard to use another's wand, it won't feel quite natural; the wizard will have the most success with the wand that chose him.
A wand will often reflect the qualities of the wizard.
For example, Hagrid's wand was made from sturdy oak.
Dolores Umbridge's wand is short, just like her.
Often it seems that the wood used to make the wand corresponds with the wizard's date of birth according to the Celtic calendar; a tree is associated with each month in the Celtic year, and each tree has its own symbolic meaning.
It works rather like the zodiac.
Harry's wand is made from holly, which corresponds with his birthday (July 31st).
Incidentally, holly symbolizes luck, protection, as well as death and rebirth.
If there isn't a Hogwarts class on wand lore, there ought to be!
Source...