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Reader Comments: (Page 2)

A couple of definitions of Order:- "Prevailing course or arrangement of things" and "Formal disposition or array" (as in troops). So, the 'new order' in the film could be the rise of Dumbledore's Army but, I think, it means a new course for the wizarding world, a new future where they fight under a banner that binds them all together. After all the Sorting Hat has been telling the students to work together and not fight, and Hermione echoes this. One use for the symbol.

Posted by Marjorie from New Zealand on April 30, 2007 3:35 PM

Charlie Tarbox,
I was thinking along the same lines. The circle is not complete, it is made up of two arcs, divided by the vertical line -- in essence divided.

I found other symbols that are somewhat suggestive of our symbol, on Symbols.com.
Venus,goddess of love -- a circle with a vertical line, although this line extends down and out of the circle. And no triangle.
Ares, the god of war -- a circle with an arrow at 45 degree angle, ie a shield with a spear piercing it, symbolizing the individual spirit and the direction of action.
Antimony -- an element used in alchemy. This was the closest, being a circle with a vertical arrow piercing it. If we see the triangle as a stylized arrow, then we have a connection to the Sorcerer's Stone.

Posted by Patty from Quincy MA on April 30, 2007 5:48 PM

I immediately thought of the same comment as Charlie. I wonder if it has something to do with the connection between Harry and Voldemort and the prophecy of "one can't live while the other survives..." Can't wait to find out.

Posted by Kim from Manchester on April 30, 2007 6:03 PM

ok all i can add is the circle means water and the triangle means fire...not sure what the line is so far, but perhaps we need to think outside the box, compare this symbol to other things within the book art and see if there are any connections.

Posted by Dvin from Glendale, CA on April 30, 2007 7:15 PM

the four elements, air, fire, earth and water in the symbol for alchemy, probably represent the four houses. air - ravenclaw, fire - gryffindor, earth - hufflepuff and water - slytherin? in our symbol, it only has the small cirle and the triangle, representing gryffindor and slytherin with a line splitting it. this could mean harry for gryffindor and voldemort for slytherin and they are still divided. its a good theory what someone said about the essence divided.

Posted by Claire from queensland australia on April 30, 2007 11:23 PM

Does the points of the triangle represent the three major forces: the order, the ministry and the eaters? And i think the circle stands for eternity and if these forces remain undivided as they are the circle remain separated.

Posted by Stu from England on May 1, 2007 08:56 AM

The circle is neverending, this could symbolise the unbreakable vow, and the line divided it. So that mean snape found a way to get out of an unbreakable vow.
But how does the triangle fit in?

Posted by Claudia on May 1, 2007 09:58 AM

Jason,
I think you're right on with the ing Curse being fire based and the link with Dumbledore and Fawkes or another Phoenix. I had been thinking along the same lines with Dumbledore's affection for the Phoenix, but it hadn't occured to me with the ing Curse being based in fire. Great Point!

Posted by Robbie from New Mexico on May 1, 2007 10:49 AM

What's the background behind the symbol? It looks like marble. There's plenty of marble in the books, but I think it was most recently mentioned as the material for the crypt holding Dumbledore body. Is it a marking on the door?

Posted by Mark from York on May 1, 2007 10:56 AM

It isn't a Dumbledore horcrux. You have to in order to create a horcrux, and I certainly don't see Dumbledore doing that. In fact, Dumbledore needed horcruxes explained which is why he needed the unaltered memory from Slughorn.

Posted by Vince from Fort Worth, Texas on May 1, 2007 11:22 AM

I like the idea of the fire symbol being linked to Dumbledore, Jason. Good thinking!

Posted by Fawkes on May 1, 2007 11:36 AM

On the point about runes, has JKR made up the meanings "partnership" and "defense"? I've only been able to find references to "ehwaz" meaning horse and change, and "eihwaz" meaning yew and endings. The latter is interesting: yew is traditionally associated with , which is probably why JKR chose it to be the material for Voldemort's wand.

Posted by Mark from York, UK on May 1, 2007 12:58 PM

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