Christian Symbols

Besides all the major character similarites, there are also some symbols within the Harry Potter Universe that can relate back to the Bible, the Church, and Christianity. One of the most interesting is J.K. Rowling's use of Latin to influence the creation of her magical spells. Like "Expecto Patronum", which translates to "to expect a patron", or "Lumos Maxima", which means "Great Light." Anyone who has been raised catholic or studies its history, they would know that Latin is the language of the church, the pope and the vatican. What is also quite interesting is one of the three unforgiveable curses created by Rowling, that is the "Crucio" curse. This spell translates to "I torture," and bares a striking resemblance to the word Crucifixion, which Christ endured to save mankind.

Next we have the crest of Hogwarts School, and two animals which are used to represent the house of the protagonist and the house of the antagonist. Gryffindor's symbol is the lion, which is the King of the Animal Kingdom, a representation of majestic pride. Jesus is sometimes referred to as a Lion (sometimes even the Lion of Judah) , the King, and having Harry Potter be a member of this house is perfect! Not only a member, but the perfect Gryffindor which is displayed many times throughout the series. The other animal is the snake which is the symbol for Slytherin House, which was the house of Voldemort and is the house of Harry's enemy at school Draco Malfoy. The snake has typically been attributed to the Devil, for example the beginning of mankind in Genesis. The devil was personified as a snake to Adam and Eve and tempted them to eat the forbidden fruit, which ended in the suffering of man and woman. Some Saints have even had visions of the Devil as a Snake, like Saint Perpetua who "dreamed" that she stepped on a Snake's head to look over the wall of the Garden of Eden to see God.

One thing J.K. Rowling does well though is to hide these elements of God within her world. She never mentions God or Religion but towards the end of the series she has a constant fixation on "Death." To make someone a Master of Death, they must acquire three objects. The Elder Wand, the Resurrection Stone, and the Cloak of Invisibility. Funny how there are three major objects that create the symbol pictured above, and the basis of the Christian faith is around the Trinity (the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit). But not only is the number three an unlikely coincidence, but the three objects in question describe the role of God perfectly. God is all powerful (the elder wand), he is unseen by all unless you are chosen by him (the three brothers), and he also had the power of resurrection (Jesus and Lazarus).

Fawkes is another great symbol within the story; this bird is a Phoenix known for it's ability of resurrection and rebirth. Fawkes is a symbol of Dumbledore and is also the symbol for the Order he created during the First Wizarding War. It is also used in Christianity as a sign of resurrection, renewal, a symbol of Christ, the Virgin Mary etc. But Fawkes could also be a representation of the Holy Spirit when she descends upon Harry down in the Chamber of Secrets.

What else is quite interesting, in the last book is the use of Biblical quotes. On Lily and James' tombstone it says "The last enemy that shall be destroyed is Death." This is a direct quote from Corinthians 15:26 (ESV). Also, the quote which Dumbledore chose for his mother and sister's gravestone is "Where your treasure is, there your heart will be also." This is directly taken from Matthew 16:21 (ESV).

Lastly, one of the greatest known symbols within the World of Harry Potter is the scar of a lightening bolt on Harry's forehead. This offers him protection with the love of his mother's sacrifice. Not widely known, but in the Book of Revelation there is mention of a Seal from God which appears either on their hand or forehead. This mark is a sign that they are sent and protected by God.

Revelation 7:2-3 (ESV): "...Then I saw another angel ascending from the rising of the sun, with the seal of the living God, and he called with a loud voice to the four angels who had been given power to harm earth and sea, saying, “Do not harm the earth or the sea or the trees, until we have sealed the servants of our God on their foreheads.”

So, whether it was the intention of Ms. Rowling to create these connections is unknown. But it can be agreed upon that there are some uncanny coincidences within the works of Harry Potter and the Old and New Testament.