Only diehard Harry Potter fans know that wands are much more than simply a magical tool. Whether it is the yew wand of Voldemort or Harry Potter’s own holly wand, each of them is unique and are an extension of the wizard’s soul. So, let’s educate the few muggles among us, who don’t know just how special wands are.
The Magical Cores: Heart of the Wand
Inside every Harry Potter wand is a magical core. The magical core is usually derived from an animal of considerable magical power, forming the heart of the wand. The three most common cores that are used in making wands are:
- Phoenix Feather: Phoenix feather cores are very powerful, and yields the widest range of magic. This wand offer’s great versatility, but can be challenging to master.
- Dragon Heartstring: Dragon Heartstring core is gotten from a dragon, and is one the wands with the most magical power. Dragon wands are temperamental and easily prone to accidents.
- Unicorn Hair: Wands with this core material rarely turn to dark magic. Hence, they are used by those who value loyalty and dependability above other virtues. Ron Weasley’s wand core was made of unicorn hair.
Although these are the most common, other cores exist. Each core possessing different properties, like Veela hair, Thestral tail hair, and Basilisk horn. A core is very important, since it directly influences the behaviour of the wand and the kind of magic it produces.
The Wood: The Body of the Wand
Though equally as important as the core, is the wood from which the wand is made. Each type of wood has its own magical properties. A few examples would be:
- Holly: This is a protective and rare wood, which pairs well with those seeking help to overcome anger or impulsiveness. One example would be Harry Potter himself, whose wand was made of holly wood, and he had to overcome lots of hurdles.
- Yew: This wood is very powerful, and is known to give its welder the power of life and death. Since Voldemort’s wand is made of yew, it signifies his association with death and his unending search for immortality.
- Vine: Vine wood are less common, but are very sensitive to the owner’s intention. Vine wands are commonly used by wizards and witches like Hermione Granger who have a greater purpose and continually defies all odds.
- Elder: This is the rarest and most powerful of all wand woods, and is one of the three magical objects that went into the making of the Deathly Hallows. This wand was said to be first created by death, and is said to give wizards and witches the ability to perform feats of magic that are normally impossible.
The Union of the Wizard and the Wand
A wand is not just a tool but more of a partner in magic. The relation one has with their wand is very important. When a wand chooses a wizard, a connection is made that enables magic to be channelled. Wands can change allegiance when won in a duel. The wand may it may choose to serve the new master. An example of this would be with the Elder Wand.
Final Thoughts
Wands in Harry Potter are not just magical tool, they are special companions. The secrets behind wands lies in the core and wood. Also, wands can switch allegiance if their current master loses a duel. So, wands are more than just a wooden dry stick, they are conduit for wizard or witches power.
