Did you ever wonder if—there are Alchemist secrets in the Harry Potter series? I certianly did, after I noticed hidden symbols shown in the artwork and title of Harry Potter book 1.
The first Harry Potter book was originally released as The Philosopher’s Stone and not The Sorcerer’s Stone as it is in the United States. Why? What does a philosopher have to do with magic? (more about this soon…)
Obviously, this was done in error because the book was released in the USA with the title, Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone. Actually, the decision to change the title was a marketing decision and not an error.
The book was originally called Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone because the first Harry Potter story, the stone that Voldemort sought-after was in fact called the Philosopher’s Stone. We also learn the Philosopher’s Stone was created by the renowned Alchemist, Nicholas Flamel. With this stone Flamel could create an elixir for eternal life, but more than that, the stone could also turn lead into gold.
Many only focus on the themes of wizardry and witchcraft that the strong symbolisms of alchemy are often overlooked. Matter of fact, I’ve seen many Harry Potter fans argue against the idea that alchemy is even included in the stories of Harry Potter. If the original book title and a Philosopher’s Stone being used in the first book wasn’t enough evidence, then let’s look at a quote from the author herself from an interview on accio-quotes.com (see the whole article here).
“I’ve never wanted to be a witch, but an alchemist, now that’s a different matter. To invent this wizard world, I’ve learned a ridiculous amount about alchemy. Perhaps much of it I’ll never use in the books, but I have to know in detail what magic can and cannot do in order to set the parameters and establish the stories’ internal logic.” – J.K. Rowling
The Symbols
Harry Potter is full of Alchemic symbols. From the moment we enter the wizarding world with Harry Potter, we ourselves become the Seeker.
The Seeker
In alchemy, the seeker is in search of the hidden wisdom made knowable either by intuition or by knowledge passed. From there they stand upon the threshold until they find the keys of wisdom and unlock the obscure doors of peril and journey on the golden path of the enlightened Alchemist.
Quidditch
Another symbol of alchemy in the book that has baffled people is Quidditch. Quidditch is said to symbolize teamwork and strategy as well as overcoming obstacles and challenges. But then the game is over once The Seeker finds the golden Snitch. Quidditch has left many to ask, “just what is the point of Quidditch anyhow?”
In alchemy, the Seeker is the pursuer of knowledge to become an Alchemist. When one has a better understanding of alchemy one can look deeper into the concept of Quidditch and see the alchemist’s journey to find and guard the hidden knowlege of those before and to avoid the meanlingless distractions in life; such as the Bludgers that are apt to knock the seeker off the path to knowledge. Just like in the game of Quidditch, the Seeker has to weed through the distractions of the team’s quest to battle over the Quaffle, avoid the Bludgers, and triumph over the other Seeker.
The Quaffle teaches the Seeker the discipline of focus for a long-term goal vs. the short-term goal of a quick fix or a small insignificant victory. Focusing on the goal of obtaining the golden Snitch is the path to the Seeker’s enlightenment.
The Number Seven
There are seven stages in Alchemy. They’re also seven books in Harry Potter.
The seven stages of Alchemy were created to create the Philosopher’s Stone. It starts with Calcination and ends with Coagulation. Coagulation in Alchemy is the unification of polarities, such as the spirit and the matter (soul and body). Enlightenment is achieved in the Coagulation stage, as is with Harry Potter in the final book The Deathly Hallows.
Near the end of Deathly Hallows, Harry Potter transcends to a spiritual plane via Voldemort’s killing curse. However (spoiler alert), Harry returns to his physical body, but with a spiritual transformation. Now Harry is enlightened and free from the tether of Voldemort. Refined and enlightened; such is the process for the Alchemist to reach the ability to create the Philosopher’s Stone.
I don’t believe it’s a coincidence that the symbol of the Deathly Hallows resembles the symbol of the Philosopher’s Stone. For the symbol of the Deathly Hallows: the triangle represents the cloak of invisibility to hide one from Death. The circle is the resurrection stone. The line down the middle is the elder wand to render the wizard or witch that possesses it all but invincible.
The Connection
With the Philosopher’s Stone one can create an elixir of life and or turn lead into gold. Although there’s no mention of resurrection, the elixir of life enables the one who drinks of it to live in a state of immortality. The ability to create gold is an unparalleled power unto itself. In addition to it all, Alchemists are known to cloak themselves in secretes. A potential symbolism for invisibility.
Now, perhaps I’m over reaching with comparing each of the three themes of the Philosopher’s Stone with The Deathly Hallows, however, even if the three parallels don’t fully align and compare, the overall totality of all the themes; the Alchemist’s elixir, ability to create gold, and secrecy points to The Deathly Hallows symbol as a metaphor for the Philosopher’s Stone. Over reaching or not, the elixir of life alone would render its wielder a true master over death.
With all the existing Alchemist’s symbols and parallels throughout the Harry Potter book series, and the author herself admitting to utilizing concepts of alchemy in her Harry Potter books, points to an obvious conclusion that Harry Potter is full of Alchemists secrets. I’ll go even further to say that I strongly feel there is a connection to The Deathly Hallows symbol and the Alchemist’s symbol of the Philosopher’s Stone. Visually they bear a strong resemblence and they both render one a master over death.
J. K. Rowling never claimed to be an alchemist, however, while famous Alchemists like Nicholas Flamel have been lost into obscurity, Rowlings has certainly achieved immortality with her books and has even turned her works of Harry Potter into gold.
What are your thoughts? Are there other hidden symbols in Harry Potter that you’ve found?
