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{{Appearance}}
  
 
[[File:C0634d41d6_77756546_o2.jpg|thumb|150px|Lord Voldemort, a wizard who sought after, and temporarily achieved, immortality]]
  
[[File:C0634d41d6_77756546_o2.jpg|thumb|150px|Lord Voldemort, a wizard who sought after, and temporarily achieved, immortality]]
   
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Immortality is not to be confused with [[Amortality]], which is for something [[Non-being|being unable to die due to never having been alive]].
  
Immortality is not to be confused with [[Amortality]], which is for something [[Non-being|being unable to die due to never having been alive]].
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==Known Immortals==
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{| class="wikitable" border="1"
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|- bgcolor="#cccccc"
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! width="15%" align="center" |Name
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! width="15%" align="center" |Method
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! width="10%" align="center" |Status
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! width="60%" align="center" |Notes
  +
|-
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| [[Herpo the Foul]]
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| [[Horcrux]]
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| Unknown
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| The first wizard to create a Horcrux. Both his and said horcrux's current status remains unknown.
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|-
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| [[Nicolas Flamel]]
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| [[Elixir of Life]]
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| Deceased
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| Immortal for 666 years, with the destruction of the [[Philosopher's Stone]] and the eventual depletion of Elixir of Life, Nicolas and his wife passed away eventually.
  +
|-
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| [[Perenelle Flamel]]
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| [[Elixir of Life]]
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| Deceased
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| Immortal for 658 years, with the destruction of the [[Philosopher's Stone]] and the eventual depletion of Elixir of Life, Perenelle and her husband passed away eventually.
  +
|-
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| [[Tom Riddle]]
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| Multiple [[Horcrux]]es
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| Deceased
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| The only wizard to have created multiple Horcruxes. He remained immortal for 55 years (from age 16 to 71) before the destruction of all of his Horcruxes, and died when his [[Killing Curse]] rebounded.
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|-
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| [[Fawkes]]
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| [[Phoenix]]
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| Alive
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| As a phoenix, Fawkes is immortal, forever within the [[Burning Day|death-and-rebirth cycle]] of his species.
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|-
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| [[Sparky]]
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| [[Phoenix]]
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| Alive
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| As a phoenix, Sparky is immortal, forever within the [[Burning Day|death-and-rebirth cycle]] of his species.
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|-
  +
|}
   
 
==Philosopher's Stone==
  
==Philosopher's Stone==
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[[File:Horcruxes.JPG|thumb|155px|Some of Voldemort's Horcruxes]]
  
[[File:Horcruxes.JPG|thumb|155px|Some of Voldemort's Horcruxes]]
   
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A [[Horcrux]] is an object chosen for the purpose of being a receptacle of part of one's soul, split by doing the most inhumane action: murder. If all the Horcruxes (and by extension the wizard's soul) are intact, the wizard is considered immortal. Splitting one's soul is considered a violation of the very laws of nature, and existence in such a form is preferred by very few, and is therefore considered Dark Arts of the most vile.<ref>''[[Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince]]''</ref> [[Herpo the Foul]] was the first wizard ever to create [[Herpo the Foul's Horcrux|a Horcrux]], and therefore the person to be accredited to this Dark magic's discovery. However, it is unknown if Horcruxes can prevent a wizard from dying from natural causes such as old age.
 +
A [[Horcrux]] is an object chosen for the purpose of being a receptacle of part of one's soul, split by doing the most inhumane action: murder. If all the Horcruxes (and by extension the wizard's soul) are intact, the wizard is considered immortal. Splitting one's soul is considered a violation of the very laws of nature, and existence in such a form is preferred by very few, and is therefore considered Dark Arts of the most vile.<ref>''[[Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince]]''</ref> [[Herpo the Foul]] was the first wizard ever to create [[Herpo the Foul's Horcrux|a Horcrux]], and therefore the person to be accredited to this Dark magic's discovery.
   
 
[[Tom Riddle|Lord Voldemort]] split his [[soul]] six times in order to maintain his status of immortal being, and kept his Horcurxes a secret from absolutely everyone to protect his own life. He had split his soul that many times in the likely belief that seven is a powerful and magical number, but had intended to make only six Horcruxes, with the seventh part of his soul remaining inside himself, thus a seven part soul. He is the only wizard in history to have created more than one Horcrux and therefore considered the one closest to true immortality. Unbeknownst to him, his soul was split a seventh time. The seven Horcruxes were all items owned by reputable people that played an important — or scarring — role in his life, including the Four Founders. His best plans were, however, beaten due to his arrogance, when [[Regulus Black]], [[Albus Dumbledore]], [[Harry Potter]], [[Ronald Weasley|Ron Weasley]] and [[Hermione Granger]] discovered his secret and found each one of his [[Horcrux]]es and destroyed them ([[Vincent Crabbe]] also destroyed one, but he did it unknowingly and likely did not know that Voldemort had any at all), returning Voldemort his mortality and led to his eventual and final death.<ref>''[[Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows]]''</ref>
  
[[Tom Riddle|Lord Voldemort]] split his [[soul]] six times in order to maintain his status of immortal being, and kept his Horcurxes a secret from absolutely everyone to protect his own life. He had split his soul that many times in the likely belief that seven is a powerful and magical number, but had intended to make only six Horcruxes, with the seventh part of his soul remaining inside himself, thus a seven part soul. He is the only wizard in history to have created more than one Horcrux and therefore considered the one closest to true immortality. Unbeknownst to him, his soul was split a seventh time. The seven Horcruxes were all items owned by reputable people that played an important — or scarring — role in his life, including the Four Founders. His best plans were, however, beaten due to his arrogance, when [[Regulus Black]], [[Albus Dumbledore]], [[Harry Potter]], [[Ronald Weasley|Ron Weasley]] and [[Hermione Granger]] discovered his secret and found each one of his [[Horcrux]]es and destroyed them ([[Vincent Crabbe]] also destroyed one, but he did it unknowingly and likely did not know that Voldemort had any at all), returning Voldemort his mortality and led to his eventual and final death.<ref>''[[Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows]]''</ref>
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Whenever [[phoenix]]es die, whether from old age or something like a [[Killing Curse]], they always reborn from their remaining ashes, technically making them immortal. They are so far the only living beings who possess natural immortality, as it seems there is no known method to truly and permanently kill a phoenix. They are also the only creatures who defy the absolute law that nothing can truly bring back the dead. A phoenix bursting into flames to die and then to be reborn (usually by old age) is known as a [[Burning Day]].
  
Whenever [[phoenix]]es die, whether from old age or something like a [[Killing Curse]], they always reborn from their remaining ashes, technically making them immortal. They are so far the only living beings who possess natural immortality, as it seems there is no known method to truly and permanently kill a phoenix. They are also the only creatures who defy the absolute law that nothing can truly bring back the dead. A phoenix bursting into flames to die and then to be reborn (usually by old age) is known as a [[Burning Day]].
   
−
Fawkes, the pet phoenix of [[Albus Dumbledore]], has been reborn from old age many times, and revived instantly from his remaining ashes when swallowing Lord Voldemort's[[ Killing Curse]] meant for Dumbledore during their duel in the [[Ministry Atrium]], he exploded after swallowing it.
 +
Fawkes, the pet phoenix of [[Albus Dumbledore]], has been reborn from old age many times, and revived instantly from his remaining ashes when swallowing Lord Voldemort's [[Killing Curse]] meant for Dumbledore during their duel in the [[Ministry Atrium]], he exploded after swallowing it.
   
 
==Unicorn's blood==
  
==Unicorn's blood==
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However, becoming immortal from gathering the three is a misconception, as being a true Master of Death is realising and accepting the fact that everyone will die and there are worse things than [[death]]. [[Harry Potter]] collected the three Hallows and was willing to accept death and so became the Master of Death. According to Dumbledore, the Hallows were a desperate man's dream, dangerous, and a lure for fools. Indeed, many died in their pursuit of the Hallows and the "Master of Death" legend.
  
However, becoming immortal from gathering the three is a misconception, as being a true Master of Death is realising and accepting the fact that everyone will die and there are worse things than [[death]]. [[Harry Potter]] collected the three Hallows and was willing to accept death and so became the Master of Death. According to Dumbledore, the Hallows were a desperate man's dream, dangerous, and a lure for fools. Indeed, many died in their pursuit of the Hallows and the "Master of Death" legend.
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==Appearances==
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* {{PS}} {{1st}}
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* {{PSF}}
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* {{PSVG}}
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* {{COS}}
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* {{COSF}}
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* {{COSVG}}
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* {{GOF}}
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* {{GOFF}}
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* {{GOFVG}}
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* {{OOTP}}
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* {{OOTPF}}
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* {{OOTPVG}}
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* {{HBP}}
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* {{HBPF}}
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* {{HBPVG}}
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* {{DH}}
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* {{DHF1}}
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* {{DHF2}}
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* {{DHVG1}}
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* {{DHVG2}}
   
 
==See also==
  
==See also==

Revision as of 18:27, 9 April 2016

File:C0634d41d6 77756546 o2.jpg

Lord Voldemort, a wizard who sought after, and temporarily achieved, immortality

Ron: "Immortality."
Hermione: "It means you'll never die."
— Ron and Hermione in 1991[src]

Immortality (or eternal life) is the concept of living in a physical form for an infinite or inconceivably vast length of time. Immortality is one of the known limits to magic; it is nearly impossible to make oneself immortal; the only known and working ways are making and using a mystical object of great power to sustain life (such as the Philosopher's Stone created by Nicolas Flamel or a Horcrux, the latter having been used by Lord Voldemort). If one were to possess the three Deathly Hallows, it is fabled that they would possess the tools to become the "Master of Death". However, being a true "Master of Death" is to be willing to accept that death is inevitable.

Immortality is not to be confused with Amortality, which is for something being unable to die due to never having been alive.

Known Immortals

Name Method Status Notes
Herpo the Foul Horcrux Unknown The first wizard to create a Horcrux. Both his and said horcrux's current status remains unknown.
Nicolas Flamel Elixir of Life Deceased Immortal for 666 years, with the destruction of the Philosopher's Stone and the eventual depletion of Elixir of Life, Nicolas and his wife passed away eventually.
Perenelle Flamel Elixir of Life Deceased Immortal for 658 years, with the destruction of the Philosopher's Stone and the eventual depletion of Elixir of Life, Perenelle and her husband passed away eventually.
Tom Riddle Multiple Horcruxes Deceased The only wizard to have created multiple Horcruxes. He remained immortal for 55 years (from age 16 to 71) before the destruction of all of his Horcruxes, and died when his Killing Curse rebounded.
Fawkes Phoenix Alive As a phoenix, Fawkes is immortal, forever within the death-and-rebirth cycle of his species.
Sparky Phoenix Alive As a phoenix, Sparky is immortal, forever within the death-and-rebirth cycle of his species.

Philosopher's Stone

Elixir of Life

The Elixir of Life

The Philosopher's Stone, a Stone created by famous alchemist Nicolas Flamel, is able to produce the Elixir of Life, one of the known means of immortality. In 1991 and 1992, a weakened Lord Voldemort tried to gain possession of the Stone so he could rise again after his downfall ten years prior. The Stone was then destroyed by Albus Dumbledore and Nicolas Flamel himself in order to prevent this from happening again. With the destruction of the Philosopher's Stone, all individuals who were immortal because they drank the Elixir of Life (like Flamel and his wife) died after the supply of Elixir ran out.[1]

The Elixir does not truly grant immortality, as it only extends the drinker's lifespan, as opposed to rendering them invulnerable to damage. Thus, it is possible for them to die even while drinking the potion. It must be drunk regularly, for all eternity, to maintain one's eternal youth.

Horcruxes

Harry Potter: "But if you could find them all, if you did destroy each Horcrux..."
Albus Dumbledore: "One destroys Voldemort."
— A discussion in 1997 involving Horcruxs[src]
Horcruxes

Some of Voldemort's Horcruxes

A Horcrux is an object chosen for the purpose of being a receptacle of part of one's soul, split by doing the most inhumane action: murder. If all the Horcruxes (and by extension the wizard's soul) are intact, the wizard is considered immortal. Splitting one's soul is considered a violation of the very laws of nature, and existence in such a form is preferred by very few, and is therefore considered Dark Arts of the most vile.[2] Herpo the Foul was the first wizard ever to create a Horcrux, and therefore the person to be accredited to this Dark magic's discovery.

Lord Voldemort split his soul six times in order to maintain his status of immortal being, and kept his Horcurxes a secret from absolutely everyone to protect his own life. He had split his soul that many times in the likely belief that seven is a powerful and magical number, but had intended to make only six Horcruxes, with the seventh part of his soul remaining inside himself, thus a seven part soul. He is the only wizard in history to have created more than one Horcrux and therefore considered the one closest to true immortality. Unbeknownst to him, his soul was split a seventh time. The seven Horcruxes were all items owned by reputable people that played an important — or scarring — role in his life, including the Four Founders. His best plans were, however, beaten due to his arrogance, when Regulus Black, Albus Dumbledore, Harry Potter, Ron Weasley and Hermione Granger discovered his secret and found each one of his Horcruxes and destroyed them (Vincent Crabbe also destroyed one, but he did it unknowingly and likely did not know that Voldemort had any at all), returning Voldemort his mortality and led to his eventual and final death.[3]

Phoenixes

Dumbledore and Fawkes

Fawkes's rebirth from his ashes

Whenever phoenixes die, whether from old age or something like a Killing Curse, they always reborn from their remaining ashes, technically making them immortal. They are so far the only living beings who possess natural immortality, as it seems there is no known method to truly and permanently kill a phoenix. They are also the only creatures who defy the absolute law that nothing can truly bring back the dead. A phoenix bursting into flames to die and then to be reborn (usually by old age) is known as a Burning Day.

Fawkes, the pet phoenix of Albus Dumbledore, has been reborn from old age many times, and revived instantly from his remaining ashes when swallowing Lord Voldemort's Killing Curse meant for Dumbledore during their duel in the Ministry Atrium, he exploded after swallowing it.

Unicorn's blood

"The blood of a unicorn will keep you alive, even if you are an inch from death"
— Firenze[src]
Unicorn blood 1

Unicorn blood, which maintains the drinker's life

Unicorn blood has the gift to save a drinker from death even when they are nearing it. This makes it similar to the Elixir of Life, which also extends the life of the drinker. However, if taken, it will lead the drinkers to be cursed for all life, as they had slayed an innocent creature.

Quirinus Quirrell drank unicorn's blood while he was possessed by Voldemort, in order to maintain both of their critically near-end lives, until they can gain access to the Elixir of Life. Later, Voldemort had Peter Pettigrew to craft a Dark potion that requires unicorn blood as one of the ingredients to regain his rudimentary physical form, which would require him continuous intake of the potion to maintain the little health he regained.

Deathly Hallows

Hallows

Symbol of the Deathly Hallows

Many wizards believe that the person who masters the three Deathly Hallows (which are the Elder Wand, the Resurrection Stone and the Cloak of Invisibility) will be the Master of Death and will achieve some form of immortality, while a larger proportion dismiss both the concept and the three artefacts as a fairy-tale.

However, becoming immortal from gathering the three is a misconception, as being a true Master of Death is realising and accepting the fact that everyone will die and there are worse things than death. Harry Potter collected the three Hallows and was willing to accept death and so became the Master of Death. According to Dumbledore, the Hallows were a desperate man's dream, dangerous, and a lure for fools. Indeed, many died in their pursuit of the Hallows and the "Master of Death" legend.

Appearances

See also

Notes and references

  1. ↑ Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone
  2. ↑ Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince
  3. ↑ Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows
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