The Phoenix and Hogwarts: Immortal Monday

A week or so ago I was reading an article about the Gibson closing, and the new plans for the space. Maybe you’ve heard. After the success of the theme park in Orlando, Florida, the magical world of Harry Potter is scheduled to come California. The new location at Universal will break ground after the final show at the Gibson this September. Japan is also scheduled to receive their very own Hogwarts.

Universal-Islands-of-Adventure-Harry-Potter-Castle-9182
image via Wikipedia

Harry Potter has always held a special place in my heart, ever since I read the very first book. I am not alone. It became a worldwide sensation. In fact, it changed the world! Curious how?

It provided us a plethora of new fantastical creatures to ogle. There are so many they have their own mini wiki.

Every fan was provided with a cool list of spells.

Ruel S. De Vera gives us five ways Harry Potter changed the world that are hard to disagree with. You won’t regret the read.

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image via Wikipedia

I’ve pulled out one of my favorite creatures to highlight this #ImmortalMonday. I know, it’s hard to pick just one when we delve into Harry’s magical world, but I think many of you would agree, there was something extra special about Fawkes the Phoenix. Any phoenix tends to have a purple-red hue and thus the bird was known as “the purple one” or “the royal bird.”

In Greek mythology, the bird was believed to be a long-lived fowl that was reborn from the ashes of its predecessor’s death. Who’s to say it’s not the same bird living life after life? Some think the phoenix found its origin in Ancient Egypt as the benu, a solar bird. It is still debatable and sources regarding the benu can often be problematic. The phoenix has come to symbolize many things with its renewing quality: the sun, time, life, resurrection, and Early Christianity to name a few.

In the Harry Potter Series we connect Harry with the rebirthed phoenix, seeing the boy as the new soul, connecting them. Fawkes is called to Harry in his time of need in the Chamber of Secrets due to Harry’s loyalty to the wizard Dumbledore, symbolizing the healing Spirit. Fawkes will help Harry through each stage in the final battle. He’ll provide Harry with the sword of Gryffindor so that the basilisk may be defeated.

When Harry is wounded, Hawkes will heal him with his tears, saving his life, and finally he will fly them all out to safety using the strength of is tail feathers. He gives Harry hope. If ever there was a symbol of immortality I would say this bird qualifies. The phoenix is a beautiful, indestructible example of a continuous life cycle.

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J.K. Rowling created such a rich world for us to play with. So many wonderful characters and lines. What are some of your favorites? Here are three of mine:

“It is not our abilities that show what we truly are. It is our choices.” Albus Dumbledore, Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets

“It does not do to dwell on dreams and forget to live…” Albus Dumbledore. Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone

“Fear of a name only increases fear of the thing itself.” Hermione Granger, Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets.

If you were to pay the magical school a visit, where would you want to stop first? Would it be Dumbledore’s office? Perhaps Weasleys’ Wizard Wheezes is at the top of your list or Diagon Alley. Would a day be long enough to fulfill all your Hogwarts desires?

Be sure you check out the late Sunday evening post. Thor has been sighted!

~O~

Thanks for stopping by! I truly appreciate your support. Until next time, au revoir.

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25 thoughts on “The Phoenix and Hogwarts: Immortal Monday”

  1. Tameri EthertonTameri Etherton

    I would need much longer than a day at Hogwarts! There are too many rooms to discover, too many secret passages to scamper through.
    Fawkes was always one of my favorite characters in the books. He wasn’t an obvious hero, but nonetheless, he was loyal and true to Harry, which made him a hero in my eyes.
    As for Universal building a Hogwarts out here all I can say is, Butterbeer! Seriously, I’d be driving up there at least once a month to get some. It’s that good. 🙂

  2. Emma MeadeEmma Meade

    I must be one of the very few who never got into Harry Potter. I tried reading the first book years ago and couldn’t finish it. Maybe I’ll give it another go.

  3. Kitt CrescendoKitt Crescendo

    I’ve always enjoyed Fawkes. Something about the phoenix and their ability to rise from the ashes always appealed to me…long before Harry. Fawkes just sealed the deal on a long time love affair. My husband gave me the treasure chest set of the books to possibly pass down to our children if we have any.

  4. Coleen PatrickColeen Patrick

    I love everything Dumbledore said about the Mirror of Erised! I remember sitting in the movie crying at one of those scenes. And my husband got to go to Harry Potter in Orlando for a work convention! He called me when he went to the gift shop and walked me through it over the phone! 🙂

  5. Jennette Marie PowellJennette Marie Powell

    I stopped reading HP in book 5, and I’m not much of a shopper, but who wouldn’t like to cruise Diagon Alley? Also I’d like to sit in on some of those magic classes at Hogwarts!

  6. Diana BeebeDiana Beebe

    The phoenix is a very cool (ha!) creature–perfect for Immortal Monday.
    We went to Orlando last summer and went to the Wizarding World of Harry Potter. They did a fantastic job recreating everything. My only complaint: They did not allow for the gigantor, Hagrid-sized crowds. Hold on the your loved ones, put leashes on the little ones, use GPS tracking devices. The main courtyard was a sea of people. Shoulder to shoulder people (you can imagine what I was like by the time I got out of there). Having said all that, I loved it. The main ride was worth the 2-hour wait (NOT kidding). I’ve heard they are adding onto the Florida park. I hope they take what they learn and apply it to the California park.

  7. Laura IrrgangLaura Irrgang

    Ooooh…great post! I would head up to the owlery, for sure. Then I’d sneak out to the Forbidden Forest with a keg of butter beer. Join me for a hike, Tameri? You know… to “exercise”?

  8. Nigel BlackwellNigel Blackwell

    I think I’d need more than a day. I think I’d need to be 11 again and go through it all. She created such a wonderful world that was easy to relate to. She had marvelous names and wonderful places, room, corridors, staircases – everything was full of imagination. I read all the books with my daughter and we’ve worn the movies out.
    But among the fun and escapism, Rowling has her characters say some of the greatest things; things that are meant to speak to out own lives just as much as to the characters themselves. She was sneaky like that, hiding great morals and rules to live by in a fantasy world.
    So, back to the question. I’d need seven years (and at least a cloak of invisibility 🙂
    Cheers!

  9. MelindaMelinda

    My first stop would be the room of requirement! Everything I’d need would be there. Somehow I always expected Harry to get his own Phoenix, but he never did. Still, to this day, can’t believe what happened to Hedwig. 🙁

  10. Tracey LivesayTracey Livesay

    I would love to go to Diagon Alley, of course. But I’d also like to go up the staircase and then have them change in mid-air!! That would be so cool, as long as I was on the right step. We are taking our kids to Disney World in January and I’m trying to squeeze in a day at Universal for the Harry Potter experience!

  11. richrich

    just watched both “sorcerer’s stone” and “chamber of secrets” today. my favorite will always be “prisoner of azkaban,” even if i don’t spell it correctly.

  12. richrich

    and – if you want to be jealous – i saw the final film at the movie theater in universal orlando at midnight. after the film they let everyone back into the harry potter area. also, seriously, i started crying at the very end because there was this whole organized thing that when it said “the end” on the screen, everyone was to yell “mischief managed!” and i still tear up just thinking about it.

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