"Is this all real? Or has this been happening inside my head?"
The topic of this article is of a real-life subject that has been mentioned "in-universe" in a canon source. The Harry Potter Wiki is written from the perspective that all information presented in canon is true (e.g., Hogwarts really existed), and, as such, details contained in this article may differ from real world facts. |
Christianity is a major monotheistic religion. Its followers, known as Christians, believe in and worship God. Christians differentiate themselves from other religions by believing that God sent His son, Jesus of Nazareth to Earth as the messiah. These events are extensively outlined in the Christian holy book, the Bible.[1]
Christianity in the wizarding world[]
Wizards celebrated the two major Christian festivals, Easter[2][3] and Christmas.[4] Hallowe'en[5] and Valentine's Day,[6] both also of Christian origin, were celebrated.
The Fat Friar was, in his lifetime, a Roman Catholic friar who was executed for witchcraft. Lingering in the mortal world as a ghost, he would thereafter be always resentful of the fact that he was never made a cardinal.[7]
Albus Dumbledore owned a copy of the Christian Bible. It is therefore possible he was a member of the Christian faith to some degree. However, given Dumbledore's worldliness, he may have kept the copy out of a desire for knowledge and not out of his personal religious devotion.[8]
Both the tombstones of Ariana and Kendra Dumbledore ("For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also") and of Lily and James Potter ("The last enemy that shall be destroyed is death") in the graveyard in Godric's Hollow, alluded directly to the Bible (Matthew 6:21 and 1 Corinthians 15:26 respectively). Additionally, their son, Harry Potter was christened shortly after his birth.[9][10]
Sirius Black was possibly a Christian as he was appointed as Harry Potter's godfather.[11] Likewise, Harry Potter became the godfather of Teddy Lupin, making it possible that not only he was Christian but the couple who appointed him, Remus and Nymphadora Lupin, was as well.[12]
It is likely that the wizards buried in the graveyard of St Jerome's Church in Godric's Hollow were Christians. Notable figures who were buried here and therefore may have been Christians included Ignotus Peverell, Ariana and Kendra Dumbledore, and James and Lily Potter.[13]
Isobel Ross, a witch, married Robert McGonagall, a Muggle Presbyterian minister, who presumably raised his magic children to follow his religion.[14]
Behind the scenes[]
- J. K. Rowling has admitted to injecting Christian ideals into the Harry Potter series;[15][16] therefore, it is possible she intended for some of the characters to be Christians.
- In Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows, Harry gouges a small cross, the major symbol of Christianity, into the tree under which he buried Mad-Eye Moody's eye. As many Christians are buried under some form of a cross, this could be an affirmation of Moody's and or Harry's faith. However, it has also been used merely as a symbol to mark a grave.
- It is rather ironic that some wizards should adhere to the Christian faith, as it was Christianity that was used as the justification for witch hunts aimed at exterminating any magical activity under the misconception that magic was the work of the Devil and using it was evil. As the society at the time then was almost uniformly Christian, it is not surprising many at least would be Christians too though. Given that the charge of gaining magic from the Devil was false, they might not see a conflict, and believe that their ability is a gift from God. Clearly the Fat Friar, who was a member of the clergy, saw no issue with it.
Appearances[]
- Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban (First mentioned) (Indirectly mentioned only)
- Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban (film) (Indirectly mentioned only)
- Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban (video game) (Indirectly mentioned only)
- Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire (Indirectly mentioned only)
- Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix (Indirectly mentioned only)
- Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix (film) (Indirectly mentioned only)
- Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix (video game) (Indirectly mentioned only)
- Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince (Indirectly mentioned only)
- Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows (Indirectly mentioned only)
- Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 1 (Mentioned only)
- Pottermore (Mentioned only)
- Wizarding World (Mentioned only)
- LEGO Harry Potter: Years 1-4 (First appearance) (Appears in photographs)
Notes and references[]
- ↑ Christianity on Wikipedia
- ↑ Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone, Chapter 14 (Norbert the Norwegian Ridgeback)
- ↑ Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire, Chapter 28 (The Madness of Mr Crouch)
- ↑ Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone, Chapter 12 (The Mirror of Erised)
- ↑ Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone, Chapter 10 (Hallowe'en)
- ↑ Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets, Chapter 13 (The Very Secret Diary)
- ↑ Writing by J. K. Rowling: "Hogwarts Ghosts" at Wizarding World
- ↑ Harry Potter Lexicon set report (see "ON THE SET") from The Harry Potter Lexicon
- ↑ J K Rowling at the Edinburgh Book Festival, Sunday, August 15, 2004" from Accio Quote!
- ↑ LEGO Harry Potter: Years 1-4
- ↑ Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban, Chapter 10 (The Marauder's Map)
- ↑ Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows, Chapter 25 (Shell Cottage)
- ↑ Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows, Chapter 16 (Godric's Hollow)
- ↑ Writing by J. K. Rowling: "Professor McGonagall" at Wizarding World
- ↑ Harry Potter author reveals books' Christian allegory, her struggling faith
- ↑ 'Harry Potter' Author J.K. Rowling Opens Up About Books' Christian Imagery