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"A Squib is someone who was born into a wizarding family but hasn’t got any magic powers. Kind of the opposite of Muggle-born wizards, but Squibs are quite unusual."
Ron Weasley discussing Argus Filch[src]

A Squib is a non-magical person who is born to at least one magical parent.[1] Squibs are, in essence, 'Wizard-born Muggles.' They are rare and are looked upon with a degree of disdain by some witches and wizards, particularly pure-bloods. J. K. Rowling has stated that Muggle-born witches and wizards are descended from Squibs who married Muggles; the magical gene resurfaces after many generations unexpectedly.

Quick Answers

What is the definition of a Squib in the Harry Potter universe? toggle section
In the Harry Potter universe, a Squib is a person who was born into a wizarding family but does not possess any magical powers. This is quite unusual and is considered the opposite of Muggle-born wizards, who are born to non-magical families but have magical abilities. Despite their lack of magic, Squibs are still part of the wizarding world and have knowledge of it, unlike Muggles.
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How are Squibs viewed by pure-blood witches and wizards in Harry Potter? toggle section
In the Harry Potter series, Squibs, or non-magical people born to at least one magical parent, are often viewed with a degree of disdain by some witches and wizards, particularly those of pure-blood. This is due to the fact that Squibs are essentially 'wizard-born Muggles', and their existence challenges the notion of pure-blood supremacy. Despite being born into magical families, Squibs are unable to perform magic themselves, which can lead to embarrassment and disappointment within their families. As a result, Squibs are often encouraged to integrate with the Muggle community, where they are less likely to be treated as second-class citizens.
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What is the difference between a Squib and a Muggle in the Harry Potter series? toggle section
In the Harry Potter series, a Squib and a Muggle are both non-magical, but they come from different backgrounds. A Muggle is a person who is born into a non-magical family and has no magical abilities. On the other hand, a Squib is someone who is born into a wizarding family but does not possess any magical powers. This makes Squibs quite unusual and sometimes they are even mistaken for wizards due to a magical aura that can surround them after birth. Despite their wizarding lineage, Squibs cannot use magic, which often leads them to integrate into the Muggle community.
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How does a Muggle-born witch or wizard relate to a Squib in the Harry Potter universe? toggle section
In the Harry Potter universe, a Squib is a non-magical person born to at least one magical parent. This is different from a Muggle-born witch or wizard, who are magical individuals born to non-magical parents. Interestingly, Muggle-born witches or wizards are more likely to produce Squib children. It's also believed that Muggle-born witches and wizards could be descendants of Squibs who married Muggles, introducing the potential for magical ability into the bloodline. So, a few generations later, a wizard could be born to two Muggles.
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How rare are Squibs in the Harry Potter universe? toggle section
Squibs are quite rare in the Harry Potter universe. They are non-magical people who are born to at least one magical parent. Despite their wizarding lineage, Squibs do not possess any magical powers. This makes them a unique and uncommon occurrence within the wizarding world.
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Differences between Squibs and Muggles

In addition to being born into magical rather than Muggle families, Squibs are different from Muggles in that they notice and comprehend the wizarding world. They are able to see things that are hidden from the muggles and have access to certain magical objects and creatures that can help them. Argus Filch as well as Arabella Figg have formed wizarding-like relationships with cats that, in the case of the latter, have been cross-bred with Kneazles.

Squibs should also be contrasted with the Muggle relatives of witches and wizards. Muggle parents, siblings, spouses etc. are simply Muggles who happen to know about the magical world.

Attitude toward Squibs

Filch-GOF

Argus Filch.

"You disgusting little Squib, you filthy little blood traitor!"
Marvolo Gaunt to his daughter, whom he believed to be a Squib.[src]

The Ministry of Magic does not keep records of Squib births,[2] a sign of wizard society's general disregard for them. They can, however, check if a person is a squib using their parent's names, as demonstrated in 1995 during the disciplinary hearing of Harry Potter. The common practice with Squibs is to send them off to Muggle schools as children and encourage them to integrate with the Muggle community, which is much kinder than letting them live in the magical world where they will always be treated as second-class citizens.[3] Some, however, choose to remain in the wizarding world regardless. Some pure-blood families, such as the Blacks, disown any Squib members and remove them from their family trees, as they removed Marius Black.[4]

Even families that are tolerant of Muggles and Muggle-borns seem to regard Squibs poorly. For example, the Weasley family seems embarrassed to have a Squib who works in the Muggle world as an accountant in the family. Also, many wizarding families are anxious to see early signs of magical ability and are upset by the prospect that a member might be a Squib. Neville Longbottom was thought to be a Squib by his relatives because of this, though he proved to be magical. Similarly, Merope Gaunt was called a Squib by her father Marvolo as a slur, due to her poor magical abilities, inhibited by her fear of her father and brother.[5] However, the wizarding world did set up at least one organisation to support Squibs, called Society for the Support of Squibs.

It is unclear as to Lord Voldemort's attitude towards Squibs. He had personally noted throughout his life that he aims to purge Muggle-born wizards and witches for "stealing" magic. However, as Argus Filch was allowed to remain in Hogwarts, it is likely they weren't prosecuted as blood traitors.

Known Squibs

Marius Black

Marius Black on the Black Family Tree

Believed Squibs


Behind the scenes

  • The term likely comes from the English expression "a damp squib" (dud firecracker), an expected delight that disappoints.
  • The Star Wars series also uses the term Squib as the name of an alien species.
  • Idris Oakby, founder of the Society for the Support of Squibs, may have been a Squib herself.
  • Two squibs (both are minor characters) seen in the series are Arabella Figg and Argus Filch. Both seem to love cats and have the same initials.

Appearances

Notes and references


See also

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