20 Facts Every Harry Potter Super-Nerd Should Know
6. Yew And Holly Wand Woods Conflict
Wandlore is one of Rowlings most interesting disciplines, and one for which she did a great deal of research into European folklore. This is manifested in complements of wand wood to the wizard in question the prime example being that of Harry Potter and Lord Voldemort. Harrys wand wood is holly, and the holly tree in European folklore, according to Rowling, has been used to represent that which is good and the repulsion of evil, its name associated with the word holy. Perhaps not intentional, but holly relates to Christianity as well associated with Christmas and the solstice which relates to Harrys storys deliberate religious parallels. Conversely, Voldemorts wand is made of yew wood: European yew trees are known for reaching up to two thousand years of age and, subsequently, the yew has represented longevity. Yews have been related with death in much folklore, and, since it is evergreen, has associations with immortality and resurrection. They are also poisonous. In this way, Rowling deliberately juxtaposed the associations of the two woods to contrast the two paralleling but opposite characters.
Canadian student. Spends probably an unhealthy amount of time enthusing over musicals, unpopular TV shows, and Harry Potter. Main life goal: to become fluent in Elvish.
