Forum:Hands

Forums: Index > The Wizengamot > Hands

No, this is not a forum about the part of the anatomy, and nor is it for the silver hand that was made for Peter Pettigrew. It is about the wand gestures used for spells, and which ones we should be listening to.
The Levitation Charm in particular is a good example of this; as can be noted from the talk page, there is confusion about which one is accurate.
For that spell, although the books give a "swish and flick" motion (this is emphasised in the first book), Wonderbook: Book of Spells gives the hand motion as a "J" motion, and Pottermore shows it as a rather absurd squiggle:

And so it is also with the Engorgement Charm, Fire-Making Spell, Mending Charm, and Severing Charm, just to name a few.
And then to make matters more confusing, whilst most writings coming directly from J. K. Rowling are almost all "point" and "wave", we have two other sources, both supposedly coming directly from her, giving us odd squiggles and shapes.
So which one should we be advised by? I bring this matter to the community in the hopes that a consensus can soon be reached. This is, despite what others may say, a serious issue. --Hunniebunn (talk) 21:44, November 19, 2012 (UTC)

I would say the last published should be the used source.  Harry granger   Talk   contribs 21:51, November 19, 2012 (UTC)

That's true; in which case, we'd be using Wonderbook. I wonder, will that be the overall vote (This is my rather failing attempt to impersonate the host of Jeapordy, a popular television show in Canada and the U.S.A.)--This is an automatically sent message. (You can reply here) 21:59, November 19, 2012 (UTC)

I'd go with the latest info, but make sure that stuff isn't being removed - whatever we had before needs to be going into Behind the scenes. ProfessorTofty (talk) 22:01, November 19, 2012 (UTC)

Well, I would have done so immediately but apparently we need three for a vote, and so far we only have two. I personally am supporting using the books' motions, as they are in my mind the "most canon". All the same, if Wonderbook does rule out (two so far) then I'll make sure not to remove anything entirely. --This is an automatically sent message. (You can reply here) 22:04, November 19, 2012 (UTC)

I agree with Tofty but I think that the original instructions should be mentioned as aan alternative action as well ZRS Fizzy Bongs (Accio Owl! Send Owl!)

Well, that makes three. I'll get on it if anyone wants to help me. --This is an automatically sent message. (You can reply here) 22:07, November 19, 2012 (UTC)

Just wondered... once PoA comes out, the third volume of Standard Book of Spells will probably be released. How will we treat that as canon? BTS with the rest, or should we re-add the Pottermore hands and leave Wonderbook for the BTS? --This is an automatically sent message. (You can reply here) 01:13, November 27, 2012 (UTC)

I'm beginning to think that maybe we should just go with whatever the book says, if the book gives information regarding it. The books are primary canon, information from anything else is only supposed to be used if the book doesn't provide any information regarding the matter. And based on levels of canon, Pottermore would be next, and Book of Spells... well, normally video games are third-tier canon, except the info from Book of Spells comes directly from Rowling, right? Hoo boy... ProfessorTofty (talk) 01:27, November 27, 2012 (UTC)

I know, right? It would probably be easier... but then again, there's something about the little colourful bubbles Pottermore puts the wand movements into that seems a bit more aesthetic than just writing "Point wand at target", "Swish and flick" or "Wave'. Then again, I suppose it isn't aesthetics so much as canonicity... --This is an automatically sent message. (You can reply here) 01:33, November 27, 2012 (UTC)