Harry Potter Wiki
Register
Harry Potter Wiki
(Ron wasn't there.)
(Colony already linked in the article)
 
(150 intermediate revisions by 50 users not shown)
Line 1: Line 1:
  +
{{Spoiler|HM|PAS|MA|HL}}
{{Pottermoreold}}
 
 
{{Creature infobox
 
{{Creature infobox
|name=Centaur
+
|image = Centaur Pottermore.png
|image=[[File:Centaur-pottermore.png|250px]]
+
|name = Centaur
 
|skin = Varies
|bgcolor1=630
 
  +
|eyes = Varies
|bgcolor2=8B4513
 
  +
|hair = Varies
|sentience=[[Human]] Intelligence
 
 
|feathers =
|skin=White or tanned
 
  +
|related = *[[Human]]s<ref name="PS15"/><ref name="FBR"/>
|eyes=Varies
 
  +
*[[Horse]]s<ref name="PS15"/><ref name="FBR"/>
|hair=Varies
 
  +
|native = *[[Europe]],<ref name="FBR">{{FB|R}}</ref> including
|feathers=
 
  +
**[[Greece]]<ref name="FBR"/>
|native=Varies
 
  +
**[[Great Britain]]<ref name="PS15">{{PS|B|15}}</ref><ref name="FBC3"/>
|related=
 
  +
**[[Croatia]]<ref name="FBF">{{FB|F}}</ref>
|height=Tall (possibly more than 7 feet)
 
  +
|alias =
|length=Human almost
 
  +
|height = Above seven feet<ref name="PS15"/>
|wingspan=
 
 
|length =
|distinction=*Lower torso is a horse's body
 
 
|wingspan =
*Higher torso is a human's body
 
  +
|mortality =
*Capable of human intelligence and speech
 
 
|distinction = *Lower torso is a [[horse]]'s body<ref name="PS15"/>
|affiliation=
 
 
*Higher torso is a [[human]]'s body<ref name="PS15"/>
|class=XXXX
 
 
*Capable of [[human]] intelligence and speech<ref name="PS15"/>
|status=[[Being]]; though they prefer [[Beast]]
 
  +
*Skilled in [[Astronomy]], [[Healing magic]] and [[Divination]]<ref name="FBR"/>
}}{{Quote|Never try an' get a straight answer out of a centaur. Ruddy stargazers. Not interested in anythin' closer'n the [[moon]].|[[Rubeus Hagrid]], while conducting a [[Discipline at Hogwarts#Detention|detention]] in the Forbidden Forest| Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone}}
 
 
|affiliation =
  +
|class = [[Beast]]<br/>[[XXXX]]<ref name="FBR"/>
  +
|status = Extant<ref name="FBR"/>
  +
}}
  +
{{Quote|Forest-dwellers who have the torso of a human but the body of a horse, and who are gifted in Divination.|Description of centaurs|Pottermore}}
  +
A '''centaur''' was a [[magic]]al [[creature]] whose head, torso, and arms appeared to be [[human]] and were joined to a [[horse]]'s lower body. They were, however, their own individual species, and thus were not [[half-breed]]s. They also had a rich history and were known for being naturally talented in archery, [[healing magic]], [[divination]] and [[astronomy]].<ref name="FBR"/>
   
 
Despite possessing "human intelligence", centaurs were classified as [[Beast]]s by the [[British Ministry of Magic]], at their own request, as they were unhappy at having to share [[Being]] status with [[hag]]s and [[vampire]]s, known [[Dark Arts|dark]] creatures.<ref name="FBR">{{FB|R}}</ref>
   
  +
==Description==
A '''Centaur''' is a [[magic]]al creature whose head, torso and arms appear to be [[human]] and are joined to a [[horse|horse's]] body.
 
 
===Physical appearance===
  +
{{Quote|And into the clearing came — was it a man, or a horse? To the waist, a man, with red hair and beard, but below that was a horse's gleaming chestnut body with a long, reddish tail.|Description of a centaur|Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone}}
  +
[[File:Centaur WB F5 CentaurPortrait Illust 100615 Port.jpg|230px|thumb|left|A centaur's general appearance]]
  +
Like horses, centaurs could come in a variety of colours, ranging from deep black to white. A centaur by the name of [[Firenze]] had white-blonde hair, a body light in colour, and possessed astonishingly blue eyes; [[Magorian]] on the other hand possessed black hair and was chestnut in colour.<ref name="PS15"/> Centaurs had the body of a horse, and the torso, arms, and head of a human. Their upper bodies were so humanlike [[Lavender Brown]] and [[Parvati Patil]] found the centaur Firenze's human side physically attractive.<ref name="OOTP27"/>
   
 
[[File:Centaurs (whole body - conceptual artwork).jpg|250px|thumb|right|The full body of a centaur]]
They are, however, their own species, and are not any kind of [[half-breed]].
 
 
Centaurs were not in fact half-breeds, but an entirely different species on their own. They were not very pleased to be insulted, particularly where their lineage was concerned, as [[Dolores Umbridge]] found out [[Skirmish in the Forbidden Forest|the hard way]].<ref name="OOTP33"/>
   
  +
Centaurs were also natural born [[Seer]]s, in particular the centaur [[Firenze]] who taught alongside [[Sybill Trelawney]] in [[Divination (class)|Divination class]] at [[Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry]].<ref name="OOTP27"/>
Despite possessing 'human intelligence', centaurs are classified as [[Beast]]s by the [[British Ministry of Magic|Ministry of Magic]], at their own request, as they were unhappy at having to share [[Being]] status with [[hag]]s and [[vampire]]s.
 
   
  +
===Mannerisms===
==Physical description==
 
 
{{Quote|Never try an' get a straight answer out of a centaur. Ruddy stargazers. Not interested in anythin' closer'n the [[moon]].|Rubeus Hagrid|Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone}}
 
Centaurs were known to be gifted in [[Divination]]. Indeed, the [[Forbidden Forest centaur colony|centaurs]] of the [[Forbidden Forest]] regularly made vague allusions to seeing the future, as when the centaur [[Firenze]] told [[Harry Potter]] that they were fated to meet again, and when he and [[Bane]] spoke of the "intermission" of sorts, between the [[First Wizarding War|First]] and [[Second Wizarding War]]s.<ref name="PS15">{{PS|B|15}}</ref> He also mentioned to his class at [[Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry|Hogwarts]] that centaurs spent years trying to master their particular art of divining the fates.<ref name="OOTP27" />
   
 
Centaurs on the whole seemed also to be rather proud of their species, which was evident in their testiness whenever anyone even accidentally alluded to them being "used" or in any way employed by humankind, as when [[Firenze]] was chastised for allowing [[Harry Potter]] to ride to safety on his back, after the young wizard encountered [[Tom Riddle|Lord Voldemort]] in the [[Forbidden Forest]] his fellow centaurs considered allowing such a thing tantamount to becoming a "common mule".<ref name="PS15" />
[[File:PS_C15.jpg|thumb|left|300px|A centaur's general look.]]Like horses, centaurs can come in a variety of colours, ranging from deep black to white.
 
   
  +
[[File:Centaur herd.jpg|250px|thumb|left|A herd of centaurs armed with bows and arrows, their primary weapons]]
They have the body of a horse, and the torso, arms and head of a human man.
 
 
In [[1995]], they attempted to murder Firenze for his decision to "enter into human servitude", which was seen as a great and base betrayal to the group and the species.<ref name="OOTP30" /> Centaurs also decided to be placed in the [[Beast Division]] instead of the [[Being Division]] in the British Ministry of Magic archives, because they wished to not be associated with [[Hag]]s and [[Vampire]]s, whom the Ministry designates "Beings".<ref name="FBR" />
   
 
Centaurs also seemed to favour nature over technology, the extent of their tools visibly in use being their bows and arrows. Instead, they cast their attention upon reading signs in nature, and living in forests appropriated by the Ministry of Magic.<ref name="OOTP33" />
Centaurs are not in fact half-breeds, but an entirely different species on their own. They are not very pleased to be insulted, particularly where their lineage is concerned, as [[Dolores Umbridge|Professor Umbridge]] found out to her cost. 
 
   
 
They were territorial creatures by nature, as [[Rubeus Hagrid]] mentioned in [[1995]] upon seeing a herd of centaurs in the Forbidden Forest, whose land was being consistently reduced, and that they might revolt against the Ministry as a result. Later the same year, they proclaimed that even Hagrid was "''no longer welcome''" within "their" forest, as he had "''forfeited the friendship of the centaurs''", and that their "''tolerance was waning''" (in reference to Hagrid's half-brother, [[Grawp]], whom Hagrid was hiding in the forest at the time).<ref name="OOTP30">{{OOTP|B|30}}</ref>
Centaurs may posses the ability to be clairvoyant, judging from Firenze who taught alongside [[Sybill Trelawney]].
 
   
 
Centaurs did have a sense of honour, being unwilling to harm the young, as the herd within the Forbidden Forest refused to harm Hagrid due to the young Harry Potter and [[Hermione Granger]] accompanying him at the time. However, this patience and generosity could wane, as later they saw Harry and Hermione deliberately lead [[Dolores Umbridge]] into the forest to "use" the centaurs to eliminate her; this, along with the fact that both teenagers were nearing their adulthood, led the herd to attempt to attack the two.<ref name="OOTP33">{{OOTP|B|33}}</ref>
==Habitat==
 
[[File:Centaurs_(Concept_Artwork_for_the_HP5_film_01).jpg|thumb|A Centaur in the woods.]]
 
Centaurs are forest-dwelling, and, in each country where colonies exist, the wizarding authority has set aside land exclusively for their use.<ref name=FB>''[[Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them]]''</ref> One such [[Forbidden Forest Centaur colony|colony]] exists in the [[Forbidden Forest]], at [[Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry]]. However, centaurs have their own methods of concealment, and avoid contact with both [[Wizardkind|wizards and witches]] and [[Muggle]]s. They generally live in herds of ten to fifty individuals.
 
   
  +
===Abilities===
==Magical abilities==
 
  +
{{Quote|I, however, am here to explain the wisdom of centaurs, which is impersonal and impartial. We watch the skies for the great tides of evil or change that are sometimes marked there. It may take ten years to be sure of what we are seeing.|Firenze explaining centaur Divination during a fifth year lesson|Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix}}
Centaurs do not use wands for magic, but are known to be well-versed in magical healing, [[Divination]], archery, and [[Astronomy]]. Centaurs burn herbs such as [[mallowsweet]] and [[sage]] to refine their stargazing findings. In fact, the centaur [[Firenze]] taught Divination at Hogwarts, starting in the [[1995–1996 school year]].<ref name=OP>''[[Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix]]''</ref>
+
Centaurs did not use wands for magic, but were known to be well-versed in [[Healing magic|magical healing]], [[Divination]], archery, and [[Astronomy]]. Centaurs burned herbs such as [[mallowsweet]] and [[sage]] to refine their stargazing findings. In fact, the centaur [[Firenze]] taught [[Divination (class)|Divination]] at Hogwarts, starting in the [[1995–1996 school year]].<ref name="OOTP27">{{OOTP|B|27}}</ref> They also could perform non-verbal magic while duelling, as shown when [[Torvus]] duelled against [[Jacob's sibling]] without a wand or an arrow.<ref name="HM46" />
   
==Mannerisms==
+
==Habitat==
  +
[[File:Centaurs (Concept Artwork for the HP5 film 02).jpg|250px|thumb|Centaurs in the woods]]
[[File:Firenzeinharrypotter.jpg|thumb|left|Firenze, the centaur with a very different manner from the rest.]]
 
 
Centaurs were forest-dwelling, and, in each country where colonies existed, the wizarding authority had set aside land exclusively for their use.<ref name="FBR">{{FB|R}}</ref> One such [[Forbidden Forest centaur colony|colony]] existed in the [[Forbidden Forest]], at [[Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry]].<ref name="PS15" /> However, centaurs had their own methods of concealment and avoided contact with both wizards and witches and [[Non-magic people|Muggles]], as they were not fond of humans. They generally lived in herds of ten to fifty individuals.<ref name="FBR" />
Centaurs are known to be gifted in [[Divination|divining]]. Indeed, the [[Forbidden Forest Centaur colony|centaurs]] of the [[Forbidden Forest]] regularly made vague allusions to seeing the future, as when the centaur [[Firenze]] told [[Harry Potter]] that they were fated to meet again, and when he and [[Bane]] spoke of the "intermission" of sorts, between the [[First Wizarding War|First]] and [[Second Wizarding War]]s<ref name=PS>''[[Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone]]''</ref>. He also mentioned to his class at [[Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry|Hogwarts]], that centaurs spend years trying to master their particular art of divining the fates.<ref name="OP" />
 
   
 
==Relationship with wizardkind==
Centaurs on the whole seem also to be rather proud of their species, which was evident in their testiness whenever anyone even accidentally alluded to them being "used" or in any way employed by humankind, as when[[ Firenze]] was chastised for allowing [[Harry Potter]] to ride to safety on his back, after the young wizard encountered [[Tom Riddle|Lord Voldemort]] in the [[Forbidden Forest]]-- his fellow centaurs considered allowing such a thing tantamount to becoming a 'common' mule<ref name="PS" />.
 
  +
{{Quote|You have a human on your back! Have you no shame? Are you a common mule?|Bane and other centaurs consider helping humans beneath them|Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone}}
 
Starting in [[1810s|1811]], centaurs were offered "[[Being]]" status, when [[Grogan Stump]] decreed that a "being" was "''any creature that has sufficient intelligence to understand the laws of the magical community and to bear part of the responsibility in shaping those laws''". However, they declined because of the associations with other creatures, such as [[vampire]]s and [[hag]]s, that "being" status would give them. The [[merpeople]] made the same decision a year later. Subject teaching material thus notes on why they are classed as 'Beasts' and that they should be treated with great respect.<ref name="FBR" />
   
  +
Wizards frequently misunderstood the needs and desires of centaurs, such as when one wizard created a suit of full plate centaur armour as a peace-offering for a centaur leader some time before the [[1890s]]. This gift was spurned and the messenger shot, with the armour later being found trampled and battered. The unique suit was recovered and restored, being placed on a display in the [[Armoury]] ever since.<ref name="HL">{{HL}}</ref>
In [[1995]], they attempted to murder Firenze for his decision to "enter into human servitude," which was seen as a great and base betrayal<ref name="OP" />. Centaurs also decided to be placed in the [[Beast Division]] instead of the [[Being Division]] in the British Ministry of Magic archives, because they wished to not be associated with hags and vampires, whom the Ministry designates "Beings"<ref name="FB" />.
 
   
 
Despite being highly intelligent creatures, centaurs were still officially classified as having merely "''near-human intelligence''" by the [[British Ministry of Magic|Ministry of Magic]] in the mid-[[1990s]], per the text of [[Law Fifteen B]], as laid down by the [[Department for the Regulation and Control of Magical Creatures]]. Centaurs took this phrase to be a great insult, as [[Dolores Umbridge]] found out the hard way, as they find that "[their] ''intelligence, thankfully, far outstrips'' [humans']".<ref name="OOTP33" />
Centaurs also seem to favour nature over technology, the extent of their tools visibly in use being their bows and arrows. Instead, they cast their attention upon reading signs in nature, and living in forests appropriated by the Ministry of Magic.
 
   
  +
[[File:Centaurs Take Dolores OotP.png|250px|thumb|left|Centaurs attacking a Ministry of Magic official after she called them filthy half-breeds|]]
They are territorial creatures by nature, as [[Rubeus Hagrid]] mentioned in [[1995]], upon seeing a herd of centaurs in the Forbidden Forest, whose land was being consistently reduced, and that they might revolt against the Ministry as a result. Later the same year, they proclaimed that even Hagrid was "no longer welcome" within "their" forest, as he had "forfeited the friendship of the centaurs," and that their "tolerance was waning" (in reference to Hagrid's half-brother, [[Grawp]], whom Hagrid was hiding in the forest at the time)<ref name="OP" />.
 
 
A [[Centaur Liaison Office]] still existed in the [[British Ministry of Magic]]'s [[Department for the Regulation and Control of Magical Creatures]], though no centaur had ever used it. In fact, the phrase "''Being sent to the Centaur Office''" had become an in-joke at the Ministry, meaning that the person in question was about to be sacked.<ref name="FBR" /> A centaur was also represented in the [[Fountain of Magical Brethren]] in a wizard-centric manner at the Ministry,<ref name="OOTP7">{{OOTP|B|7}}</ref> at least before the fountain's destruction during the battle between Albus Dumbledore and Lord Voldemort.<ref name="OOTP36" />
   
 
Centaurs had also been known to save wizards from harm, one instance being [[Firenze]] saving [[Harry Potter]], when [[Tom Riddle|Lord Voldemort]] was in the forest, though this was highly looked down upon as centaurs were not supposed to interfere with "what is to come."<ref name="PS15" />
Centaurs do have a sense of honour, being unwilling to harm the young, as the herd within the Forbidden Forest refused to harm Hagrid due to the young [[Harry Potter]] and [[Hermione Granger]] accompanying him at the time. However, this patience and generosity can wane, as later they saw Harry and Hermione deliberately lead [[Dolores Umbridge]] into the forest to "use" the centaurs to eliminate her; this, along the fact that both teenagers are nearing their adulthood, led the herd to attempt to attack the two.
 
   
 
When [[Harry Potter]] and [[Hermione Granger]] ended up leading [[Dolores Umbridge]] into the Forbidden Forest, a group of centaurs appeared with some of them carrying off Dolores, while the rest were scared away by [[Grawp]] in a violent [[Skirmish in the Forbidden Forest|skirmish]].<ref name="OOTP33" /> It was mentioned that Albus negotiated for Dolores' release when he was rehired by the Ministry of Magic.<ref name="OOTP36">{{OOTP|B|36}}</ref>
==Relationship with wizardkind==
 
Starting in [[1810s|1811]], centaurs were offered "[[Being]]" status, when [[Grogan Stump]] decreed that a "being" was "any creature that has sufficient intelligence to understand the laws of the magical community and to bear part of the responsibility in shaping those laws." However, they declined because of the associations with other creatures, such as [[vampire]]s and [[hag]]s, that "being" status would give them. The [[merpeople]] made the same decision a year later.<ref name="FB" />
 
   
  +
The centaur colony in the Forbidden Forest, whilst most distrusted wizardkind,<ref name="PS15" /> did have a great amount of respect for [[Headmaster]] [[Albus Dumbledore]], as shown with their salute to his memory at his [[Funeral of Albus Dumbledore|funeral]] in [[1997]].<ref name="HBP30">{{HBP|B|30}}</ref>
Despite being highly intelligent creatures, centaurs were still officially classified as of "near-human intelligence" by the [[British Ministry of Magic|Ministry of Magic]] in the mid-[[1990s]], per the text of [[Law Fifteen B]], as laid down by the [[Department for the Regulation and Control of Magical Creatures]]. Centaurs take this phrase to be a great insult, as [[Dolores Umbridge]] found out the hard way, as they find that "[their] ''intelligence, thankfully, far outstrips'' [humans']."<ref name="OP" />
 
   
 
The centaur herd in the Forbidden Forest, along with Firenze, also fought against the [[Death Eaters]] in the [[Battle of Hogwarts]].<ref name="DH31">{{DH|B|31}}</ref><ref name="DH36">{{DH|B|36}}</ref>
[[File:Centaurs Dolores.jpg|thumb|Dolores Umbridge getting carried away by the centaurs in the Forbidden Forest.]]
 
A [[Centaur Liaison Office]] still exists in the [[British Ministry of Magic|Ministry of Magic]]'s [[Department for the Regulation and Control of Magical Creatures]], though no centaur has ever used it. In fact, the phrase "Being sent to the Centaur Office" has become an in-joke at the Ministry, meaning that the person in question is about to be sacked. A centaur was also represented in the [[Fountain of Magical Brethren]] at the [[British Ministry of Magic|Ministry of Magic]], at least before the fountain's destruction during the battle between Albus Dumbledore and Lord Voldemort.
 
 
Centaurs have also been known to save wizards from harm, one instance being [[Firenze]] saving [[Harry Potter]], when [[Tom Riddle|Lord Voldemort]] was in the forest, though this was highly looked down upon as centaurs were not supposed to interfere with "what is to come."
 
 
[[File:Centuar.jpg|thumb|left|Centaur being attacked by Dolores Umbridge.]]When [[Harry Potter]] and [[Hermione Granger]] ended up leading [[Dolores Umbridge]] into the Forbidden Forest, a group of centaurs appeared with some of them carrying off Dolores while the rest were scared away by [[Grawp]] in an event known as the [[Skirmish in the Forbidden Forest]]. It was mentioned that Albus negotiated for Dolores' release when he was rehired by the Ministry of Magic.
 
 
The centaur herd in the Forbidden Forest also fought against the [[Death Eaters]] in the [[Battle of Hogwarts]].
 
   
 
==Known centaurs==
 
==Known centaurs==
 
<gallery widths="105" orientation="portrait" spacing="small" position="center">
* [[Bane]]
 
  +
Elek.png|[[Elek]]<ref name="HL">{{HL}}</ref>
* [[Firenze]]
 
  +
Dorran HL.png|[[Dorran]]<ref name="HL"/>
* [[Magorian]]
 
  +
08.jpg|[[Bane]]<ref name="PS15"/>
* [[Ronan]]
 
  +
Firenzeinharrypotter.jpg|[[Firenze]]<ref name="PS15"/>
 
  +
Centauro.jpg|[[Magorian]]<ref name="OOTP33"/>
==Media==
 
  +
Magnus.png|[[Magnus]]<ref name="FBC3">{{FBC|3|3}}</ref>
<gallery widths="400" position="center" spacing="small" captionalign="center" hideaddbutton="true">
 
  +
CentaursHagrid.jpg|[[Ronan]]<ref name="PS15"/>
File:Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix - The centaurs
 
  +
Torvus profile - HM.png|[[Torvus]]<ref name="HM46">{{HM|4|6}}</ref>
  +
Centaur Pottermore.png|[[Torvus's father]]<ref name="HM46" />
  +
Unidentified auburn-haired Centaur.png|[[Unidentified auburn-haired centaur]]
 
</gallery>
 
</gallery>
  +
*[[Centaur leader]]
  +
*[[Faris Spavin's centaur assailant]]
  +
*[[Unidentified bearded centaur]]
  +
*[[Unidentified centaur]]
  +
*[[Unidentified dun-coloured centaur]]
  +
*[[Unidentified hard-faced grey centaur]]
  +
*[[Unidentified centaur with a broken leg]]
   
 
==Behind the scenes==
 
==Behind the scenes==
[[File:Centaurs (face close up - conceptual artwork).jpg|thumb|300px|A centaur's face in the films.]]
+
[[File:Centaurs (face close up - conceptual artwork).jpg|200px|thumb|A centaur's face in the [[Harry Potter (film series)|films]]]]
  +
[[File:CentaurPM.jpg|200px|thumb|A centaur as depicted on {{PM}}]]
*In the books, Centaurs are described as they are in traditional Greek myths, with the back-end of a horse, but an ordinary human face and torso in their upper parts. In the films, however, their human faces are more equine-like, like an exact cross between horse and human. They are covered in hair, the same as their horse halves, with long protruded faces, and long pointy ears.
+
*In the [[Harry Potter (book series)|books]], centaurs are described as they are in traditional Greek myths, with the back-end of a horse, but an ordinary human face and torso in their upper parts. In the [[Harry Potter (film series)|films]], however, their human faces are more equine-like, like an exact cross between horse and human. They are covered in hair, the same as their horse halves, with long protruded faces, and long pointy ears.
 
*Despite the fact that the [[Wizards' Ordinary Magic and Basic Aptitude Test]] establishes them to exist, female centaurs have yet to be physically seen in any ''Harry Potter'' media.
 
*Despite the fact that the [[Wizards' Ordinary Magic and Basic Aptitude Test]] establishes them to exist, female centaurs have yet to be physically seen in any ''Harry Potter'' media.
*In Greek mythology, female centaurs are called centaurides, though they are not mentioned in early Greek literature and art, but do appear occasionally in later antiquity.<ref>http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Centaurs</ref>
+
*In Greek mythology, female centaurs are called centaurides, and though they are not mentioned in early Greek literature and art, they do appear occasionally in later antiquity.<ref>http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Centaurs</ref>
*The word '''Centaur''' was originally called '''Kentauros''' (original Greek word), and is generally regarded as of obscure origin.
+
*The word '''Centaur''' (Κένταυρος, '''Kentauros''' in Ancient Greek), is generally regarded as being of obscure origin. But the Greek myths believe it to be derived from the name of Centaurus who was said to be the father of the Centaur race.
  +
*A {{PM}} riddle consisting of an early{{PM}} concept art of a Centaur was added to the{{PM}} insider on [[16 October]] [[2014]]. It is still unknown who this centaur is.<ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20150328072522/http://insider.pottermore.com/2014/10/come-and-play-trick-or-treat-with.html Pottermore Insider] (Archived)</ref>
 
  +
*In {{FB}}, [[Newton Scamander|Newt Scamander]] describes that Centaurs refuse to wear any clothing. In the films, [[Magorian]] wears pieces of jewellery, shown in detail in the book {{HPV|CR}}.
[[Image:Centaurs (whole body - conceptual artwork).jpg|thumb|300px|centre|A Centaur from the movies.]]
 
  +
*[[Rowan Khanna]], a history buff, wanted to ask a centaur about the 1811 controversy of not accepting the Being status as they were fascinated by it, but neither Jacob's sibling, [[Barnaby Lee|Barnaby]] nor [[Nymphadora Tonks|Tonks]], understood their obsession with learning this fact.
   
 
==Appearances==
 
==Appearances==
 
{{Imagecat|Images of Centaurs}}
 
{{Imagecat|Images of Centaurs}}
  +
*{{PS}} {{1st}}
*''[[Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone]]'' {{1st}}
 
  +
*{{PS|F}}
*''[[Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone (film)]]''
 
*''[[Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone (video game)]]'' {{Comment|GBC & PS1 versions only}}
+
*{{PS|G}} {{C|GBC & PS1 versions only}}
  +
*{{OOTP}}
*''[[Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix]]''
 
  +
*{{OOTP|F}}
*''[[Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix (film)]]''
 
  +
*{{OOTP|G}}
*''[[Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix (video game)]]''
 
  +
*{{HBP}}
*''[[Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince]]''
 
  +
*{{DH}}
*''[[Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows]]''
 
  +
*{{PM}}
*''[[Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them (real)|Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them]]''
 
  +
*{{WW}}
*''[[Harry Potter: A Pop-Up Book]]''
 
  +
*{{CC}}
*''[[LEGO Harry Potter: Years 1-4]]''
 
  +
*{{CC|P}}
*''[[LEGO Harry Potter: Years 5-7]]''
 
  +
*{{FB|R}}
*''[[Harry Potter Trading Card Game]]''
 
  +
*{{FB|F}} {{c|Mentioned on newspaper}}
*''[[Pottermore]]''
 
  +
*{{COG}} {{Mention}}
  +
*{{HPPU}}
  +
*{{LEGO|Y1}}
  +
*{{LEGO|Y2}}
  +
*{{LEGO}}
  +
*{{TCG}}
  +
*{{HPV|CR}}
  +
*{{FBC}}
  +
*{{HM}}
  +
*{{WU}}
  +
*{{PAS}}
  +
*{{MA}}
  +
*{{HL}}
  +
*{{HPMCW}}
   
 
==Notes and references==
 
==Notes and references==
 
{{Reflist}}
 
{{Reflist}}
 
==See also==
 
*[[Forbidden Forest Centaur colony]]
 
 
 
{{Creatures by classification}}
 
{{Creatures by classification}}
 
 
[[de:Zentaur]]
 
[[de:Zentaur]]
 
[[es:Centauro]]
 
[[es:Centauro]]
Line 125: Line 155:
 
[[it:Centauro]]
 
[[it:Centauro]]
 
[[pl:Centaur]]
 
[[pl:Centaur]]
[[ru:Кентавр]]
+
[[pt:Centauro]]
  +
[[ru:Кентавры]]
 
[[fi:Kentauri]]
 
[[fi:Kentauri]]
 
[[nl:Centaur]]
 
[[nl:Centaur]]
[[Category:Centaurs| ]]
 
[[Category:XXXX Creatures]]
 
[[Category:Beasts]]
 
[[Category:Forbidden Forest]]
 
 
[[Category:Battle of Hogwarts participants]]
 
[[Category:Battle of Hogwarts participants]]
 
[[Category:Centaurs]]
  +
[[Category:Creatures from Great Britain]]
 
[[Category:Forbidden Forest]]
 
[[Category:Foundables]]
  +
[[Category:Muggle-known creatures]]

Latest revision as of 07:37, 25 January 2024

"Forest-dwellers who have the torso of a human but the body of a horse, and who are gifted in Divination."
— Description of centaurs[src]

A centaur was a magical creature whose head, torso, and arms appeared to be human and were joined to a horse's lower body. They were, however, their own individual species, and thus were not half-breeds. They also had a rich history and were known for being naturally talented in archery, healing magic, divination and astronomy.[2]

Despite possessing "human intelligence", centaurs were classified as Beasts by the British Ministry of Magic, at their own request, as they were unhappy at having to share Being status with hags and vampires, known dark creatures.[2]

Description

Physical appearance

"And into the clearing came — was it a man, or a horse? To the waist, a man, with red hair and beard, but below that was a horse's gleaming chestnut body with a long, reddish tail."
— Description of a centaur[src]
Centaur WB F5 CentaurPortrait Illust 100615 Port

A centaur's general appearance

Like horses, centaurs could come in a variety of colours, ranging from deep black to white. A centaur by the name of Firenze had white-blonde hair, a body light in colour, and possessed astonishingly blue eyes; Magorian on the other hand possessed black hair and was chestnut in colour.[1] Centaurs had the body of a horse, and the torso, arms, and head of a human. Their upper bodies were so humanlike Lavender Brown and Parvati Patil found the centaur Firenze's human side physically attractive.[5]

Centaurs (whole body - conceptual artwork)

The full body of a centaur

Centaurs were not in fact half-breeds, but an entirely different species on their own. They were not very pleased to be insulted, particularly where their lineage was concerned, as Dolores Umbridge found out the hard way.[6]

Centaurs were also natural born Seers, in particular the centaur Firenze who taught alongside Sybill Trelawney in Divination class at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry.[5]

Mannerisms

"Never try an' get a straight answer out of a centaur. Ruddy stargazers. Not interested in anythin' closer'n the moon."
— Rubeus Hagrid[src]

Centaurs were known to be gifted in Divination. Indeed, the centaurs of the Forbidden Forest regularly made vague allusions to seeing the future, as when the centaur Firenze told Harry Potter that they were fated to meet again, and when he and Bane spoke of the "intermission" of sorts, between the First and Second Wizarding Wars.[1] He also mentioned to his class at Hogwarts that centaurs spent years trying to master their particular art of divining the fates.[5]

Centaurs on the whole seemed also to be rather proud of their species, which was evident in their testiness whenever anyone even accidentally alluded to them being "used" or in any way employed by humankind, as when Firenze was chastised for allowing Harry Potter to ride to safety on his back, after the young wizard encountered Lord Voldemort in the Forbidden Forest — his fellow centaurs considered allowing such a thing tantamount to becoming a "common mule".[1]

Centaur herd

A herd of centaurs armed with bows and arrows, their primary weapons

In 1995, they attempted to murder Firenze for his decision to "enter into human servitude", which was seen as a great and base betrayal to the group and the species.[7] Centaurs also decided to be placed in the Beast Division instead of the Being Division in the British Ministry of Magic archives, because they wished to not be associated with Hags and Vampires, whom the Ministry designates "Beings".[2]

Centaurs also seemed to favour nature over technology, the extent of their tools visibly in use being their bows and arrows. Instead, they cast their attention upon reading signs in nature, and living in forests appropriated by the Ministry of Magic.[6]

They were territorial creatures by nature, as Rubeus Hagrid mentioned in 1995 upon seeing a herd of centaurs in the Forbidden Forest, whose land was being consistently reduced, and that they might revolt against the Ministry as a result. Later the same year, they proclaimed that even Hagrid was "no longer welcome" within "their" forest, as he had "forfeited the friendship of the centaurs", and that their "tolerance was waning" (in reference to Hagrid's half-brother, Grawp, whom Hagrid was hiding in the forest at the time).[7]

Centaurs did have a sense of honour, being unwilling to harm the young, as the herd within the Forbidden Forest refused to harm Hagrid due to the young Harry Potter and Hermione Granger accompanying him at the time. However, this patience and generosity could wane, as later they saw Harry and Hermione deliberately lead Dolores Umbridge into the forest to "use" the centaurs to eliminate her; this, along with the fact that both teenagers were nearing their adulthood, led the herd to attempt to attack the two.[6]

Abilities

"I, however, am here to explain the wisdom of centaurs, which is impersonal and impartial. We watch the skies for the great tides of evil or change that are sometimes marked there. It may take ten years to be sure of what we are seeing."
— Firenze explaining centaur Divination during a fifth year lesson[src]

Centaurs did not use wands for magic, but were known to be well-versed in magical healing, Divination, archery, and Astronomy. Centaurs burned herbs such as mallowsweet and sage to refine their stargazing findings. In fact, the centaur Firenze taught Divination at Hogwarts, starting in the 1995–1996 school year.[5] They also could perform non-verbal magic while duelling, as shown when Torvus duelled against Jacob's sibling without a wand or an arrow.[8]

Habitat

Centaurs (Concept Artwork for the HP5 film 02)

Centaurs in the woods

Centaurs were forest-dwelling, and, in each country where colonies existed, the wizarding authority had set aside land exclusively for their use.[2] One such colony existed in the Forbidden Forest, at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry.[1] However, centaurs had their own methods of concealment and avoided contact with both wizards and witches and Muggles, as they were not fond of humans. They generally lived in herds of ten to fifty individuals.[2]

Relationship with wizardkind

"You have a human on your back! Have you no shame? Are you a common mule?"
— Bane and other centaurs consider helping humans beneath them[src]

Starting in 1811, centaurs were offered "Being" status, when Grogan Stump decreed that a "being" was "any creature that has sufficient intelligence to understand the laws of the magical community and to bear part of the responsibility in shaping those laws". However, they declined because of the associations with other creatures, such as vampires and hags, that "being" status would give them. The merpeople made the same decision a year later. Subject teaching material thus notes on why they are classed as 'Beasts' and that they should be treated with great respect.[2]

Wizards frequently misunderstood the needs and desires of centaurs, such as when one wizard created a suit of full plate centaur armour as a peace-offering for a centaur leader some time before the 1890s. This gift was spurned and the messenger shot, with the armour later being found trampled and battered. The unique suit was recovered and restored, being placed on a display in the Armoury ever since.[9]

Despite being highly intelligent creatures, centaurs were still officially classified as having merely "near-human intelligence" by the Ministry of Magic in the mid-1990s, per the text of Law Fifteen B, as laid down by the Department for the Regulation and Control of Magical Creatures. Centaurs took this phrase to be a great insult, as Dolores Umbridge found out the hard way, as they find that "[their] intelligence, thankfully, far outstrips [humans']".[6]

Centaurs Take Dolores OotP

A Centaur Liaison Office still existed in the British Ministry of Magic's Department for the Regulation and Control of Magical Creatures, though no centaur had ever used it. In fact, the phrase "Being sent to the Centaur Office" had become an in-joke at the Ministry, meaning that the person in question was about to be sacked.[2] A centaur was also represented in the Fountain of Magical Brethren in a wizard-centric manner at the Ministry,[10] at least before the fountain's destruction during the battle between Albus Dumbledore and Lord Voldemort.[11]

Centaurs had also been known to save wizards from harm, one instance being Firenze saving Harry Potter, when Lord Voldemort was in the forest, though this was highly looked down upon as centaurs were not supposed to interfere with "what is to come."[1]

When Harry Potter and Hermione Granger ended up leading Dolores Umbridge into the Forbidden Forest, a group of centaurs appeared with some of them carrying off Dolores, while the rest were scared away by Grawp in a violent skirmish.[6] It was mentioned that Albus negotiated for Dolores' release when he was rehired by the Ministry of Magic.[11]

The centaur colony in the Forbidden Forest, whilst most distrusted wizardkind,[1] did have a great amount of respect for Headmaster Albus Dumbledore, as shown with their salute to his memory at his funeral in 1997.[12]

The centaur herd in the Forbidden Forest, along with Firenze, also fought against the Death Eaters in the Battle of Hogwarts.[13][14]

Known centaurs

Behind the scenes

Centaurs (face close up - conceptual artwork)

A centaur's face in the films

CentaurPM

A centaur as depicted on Pottermore

  • In the books, centaurs are described as they are in traditional Greek myths, with the back-end of a horse, but an ordinary human face and torso in their upper parts. In the films, however, their human faces are more equine-like, like an exact cross between horse and human. They are covered in hair, the same as their horse halves, with long protruded faces, and long pointy ears.
  • Despite the fact that the Wizards' Ordinary Magic and Basic Aptitude Test establishes them to exist, female centaurs have yet to be physically seen in any Harry Potter media.
  • In Greek mythology, female centaurs are called centaurides, and though they are not mentioned in early Greek literature and art, they do appear occasionally in later antiquity.[15]
  • The word Centaur (Κένταυρος, Kentauros in Ancient Greek), is generally regarded as being of obscure origin. But the Greek myths believe it to be derived from the name of Centaurus who was said to be the father of the Centaur race.
  • A Pottermore riddle consisting of an earlyPottermore concept art of a Centaur was added to thePottermore insider on 16 October 2014. It is still unknown who this centaur is.[16]
  • In Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them, Newt Scamander describes that Centaurs refuse to wear any clothing. In the films, Magorian wears pieces of jewellery, shown in detail in the book Harry Potter: The Creature Vault.
  • Rowan Khanna, a history buff, wanted to ask a centaur about the 1811 controversy of not accepting the Being status as they were fascinated by it, but neither Jacob's sibling, Barnaby nor Tonks, understood their obsession with learning this fact.

Appearances

Wiki
The Harry Potter Wiki has 0 images related to Centaur.

Notes and references

Magical creatures by classification
X Flobberworm · Horklump
XX Augurey · Bowtruckle · Chizpurfle · Clabbert · Diricawl · Fairy · Ghoul · Gnome · Grindylow · Imp · Jobberknoll · Mooncalf · Porlock · Puffskein · Ramora · Winged horse
XXX Ashwinder · Billywig · Bundimun · Crup · Doxy · Dugbog · Fire crab · Fwooper · Glumbumble · Hippocampus · Hippogriff · Hodag · Jarvey · Knarl · Kneazle · Leprechaun · Lobalug · Mackled Malaclaw · Moke · Murtlap · Niffler · Nogtail · Pixie · Plimpy · Pogrebin · Red Cap · Salamander · Sea serpent · Shrake · Streeler · Winged horse
XXXX Centaur · Demiguise · Erkling · Erumpent · Golden Snidget · Graphorn · Griffin · Hidebehind · Kappa · Kelpie · Merperson · Occamy · Phoenix · Re'em · Runespoor · Snallygaster · Sphinx · Tebo · Thestral · Thunderbird · Troll · Unicorn · Winged horse · Yeti
XXXXX Acromantula · Basilisk · Chimaera · Dragon · Horned Serpent · Lethifold · Manticore · Nundu · Quintaped · Wampus cat · Werewolf