10 Incredible Similarities Between Harry Potter And The Lord Of The Rings

2. Objects

As well as the freaky, cursed jewellery that appears in both Harry Potter and The Lord of the Rings, there are other magical objects that are shared. And rather like the creatures that both Rowling and Tolkien mined for their epics, these are items that aren't exactly original; they have roots in myth and legend too. In The Fellowship of the Ring, the Mirror of Galadriel was introduced, with its somewhat vague power of showing "things that were, and things that are, and things that yet may be." That's an item reflected in Harry Potter (if you'll pardon the pun), as Dumbledore's seen to have a pensieve, where he keeps memories to watch for later; they're almost identical basins too. Andúril, the sword used by Aragorn, is another mystical and wonderful object that was given a Potter universe equivalent in Godric Gryffindor's sword. Both are inscribed with symbols, both are suggested to be enchanted, and both swords aren't exclusively wielded by one owner, but are used by rightful heirs; Aragorn, the the Heir of Isildur, and rightful King of Gondor and Harry Potter, the heir Godric Gryffindor. The Mirror of Erised, the mirror that shows a witch or wizard whatever they desire most in the world, is interestingly though, probably influenced by the fairy tale of Snow White, and golden snitches have gone on to influence Stephen King. Now you know.