| J.K. Rowling seems to have put in a lot of hidden meanings with names and events in the Harry Potter Books, so here's a list of some of them:
Draco Dormiens Nunquam Titillandus - These are the words under the Hogwarts Crest, and it actually says "Never Tickle a Sleeping Dragon" in Latin.
The Mirror of Erised - Erised actually says "Desire" backwards, so it's actually the Mirror of Desire. The inscription at the top of the Mirror also says this: "Erised stra ehru oyt ube cafru oyt on wohsi" (Bk. 1 - pg.152). So, that actually says "I show not your face but your hearts desire" backwards!
Remus Lupin - He was a werewolf, and the name Remus may come from the founders of Rome, who were Romulus and Remus, who were raised by a wolf.
Lupin - Lupus is the scientific name for Wolf.
Minerva - Professor McGonagall's first name is Minerva, which is also the name of the Roman Goddess of wisdom, crafts, and war. Professor McGonagall is also very wise. (the Greek version of Minerva is Athena).
Hermes - Hermes is Percy's owl, and in Greek Mythology, Hermes is the Messenger of Gods, and is known for how he always delivers messages to the right person quickly and efficiently.
Argus - In the HP series, the caretaker is Argus Filch, who always spots everything to try to get kids in trouble. In Greek Mythology, Argus is a monster with a hundred eyes covering his body. He kept watch over Io for Hera, Zeus's wife.
Sirius - Sirius Black is Harry's godfather, and he is an Animagus who can transform into a large Black Dog. Also, Sirius is a bright star that is also known as the Dog Star. That star Sirius is also part of the constellation, Canis Major (Canis is like Canine and is like a Dog again!)
The Sphinx - In Bk. 4 during the 3rd task, Harry meets the Sphinx and must answer a riddle correctly before she allows him to cross. If he answered correctly he would be able to pass, if he answered incorrectly, she would attack, then if he gave no answer at all, he would be allowed to walk away unscathed, but also have to look for another route to the Cup. In Greek Mythology, Oedipus, met a Sphinx on the road, because she was sent by Juno, to guard the road. The Sphinx asked each traveller a riddle, and if they answered correctly, they could pass, and if not, she attacked and killed them. So, even thought the riddle for Harry and Oedipus was different, it is the same concept with the Sphinx.
Fantastic Beasts and Where to find them, by Newt Scamander - Newt is a lizard/amphibian, and Scamander sounds like Salamander, which is like another lizard/amphibian.
One Thousand Magical Herbs and Fungi, by Phyllida Spore - Spore is actually a plant seed.
Pensieve - The Pensieve was used by Albus Dumbledore to store all his thoughts and memories. Pensive is word that means to think, reflect, consider or weigh. Or, it may come from the French verb, Penser, which also means to think.
Krum - Viktor Krum is known for his protruding porfile because of his large crooked nose. In German, the word Krumm means crooked or not straight.
Voldemort - Voldemort means "Flight of Death" in French. Vol (flight) de (of) mort (death).
Fluffy - This was the three headed dog that guarded the entrance to all the rooms that led to the Philosopher's/Sorcerer's Stone. This is very similar to Cerberus the three headed dog, of Greek Mythology, who guarded the entrance to the underworld for Hades.
Fleur Delacour - Her name means "Flower of the Heart" in French. Fleur (flower) De (of) la (the -femanine) cour (court). Fleur is also French and comes from France!
Thanks to Gemma for the help with this one.
Severus Snape - In Latin, severus means "mean and strict". His name Severus, also sounds a bit like the English word, severe, which can mean harsh, strict, serious, judging or criticizing harshly, and strictly regulated by rule.
Filch - The word Filch means to steal, and Argus Filch, the Hogwarts Caretaker, always steals and confiscates things from students! | |
