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{{Quote|Fear of a name increases fear of a thing itself.|[[Albus Dumbledore]] to [[Harry Potter]] in [[1992]]|Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone}}
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{{Quote|Fear of a name increases fear of a thing itself.|[[Albus Dumbledore]]|Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone}}
   
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The '''Taboo''' [[curse]] (''incantation unknown'') is a powerful [[spell]] which designates a word as a key to revealing the speaker's location.
The '''Taboo''' [[curse]] is a powerful [[spell]] which designates a word as a key to revealing the speaker's location. As such, it works in a similar manner to the [[The Trace|Trace spell]], but rather than being triggered when any [[magic]] at all is used, it is triggered by the utterance of a specific word. It works regardless of the age of the speaker and disables some weaker protective magical enchantments. If the speaker is in a building protected by the powerful [[Fidelius Charm]], for example, it may reveal the general area around the speaker's house, but will not break the charm. This curse controls individuals by limiting their freedom to speak, and thus causes great stress, terror, and frustration. Because of this, it may be considered to be [[Dark Arts|Dark magic]].
 
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==Effects==
   
 
The curse works in a similar manner to the [[The Trace|Trace spell]], but rather than being triggered when any [[magic]] at all is used, it is triggered when a certain specific word is spoken. It works regardless of the age of the speaker and disables some weaker protective magical enchantments. If the speaker is in a building protected by the powerful [[Fidelius Charm]], for example, it may reveal the general area around the speaker's house, but will not break the charm. This curse controls individuals by limiting their freedom to speak, and thus causes great stress, terror, and frustration. Because of these reasons, it may be considered to be [[Dark Arts|Dark magic]].
==Use in the First Wizarding War==
 
  +
==History==
Some have theorized that the practice of saying "You-Know-Who" instead of Voldemort's proper name might have began when he used a Taboo on his name during the First Wizarding War. This is unlikely, because Dumbledore encouraged people to use the proper name Voldemort so as to not fear the name. He would not have encouraged this if saying the Dark Lord's name would have endangered people. The Taboo's use during the Second Wizarding War seems to have been novel. The practice of saying "You-Know-Who" instead of Voldemort is most likely caused by memories of the extreme fear and panic hearing his name would inspire, and a desire to avoid arousing those bad memories.
 
   
==Use in the Second Wizarding War==
+
===First Wizarding War===
 
Some have theorised that the practise of saying "You-Know-Who" instead of Voldemort's proper name might have began when he used a Taboo on his name during the First Wizarding War. This is unlikely, because Dumbledore encouraged people to use the proper name Voldemort so as to not fear the name. He would not have encouraged this if saying the Dark Lord's name would have endangered people. The Taboo's use during the Second Wizarding War seems to have been novel. It was particularly effective in capturing members of the Order of the Phoenix, as well as the D.A. The practise of saying "You-Know-Who" instead of Voldemort is most likely caused by memories of the extreme fear and panic hearing his name would inspire and a desire to avoid arousing those bad memories.
===Implementation===
 
{{dialogue a-b-a|Ron|...the name's been jinxed, [[Harry Potter|Harry]], that's how they track people! Using his name breaks protective enchantments, it causes some kind of magical disturbance -- it's how they found [[Trio|us]] in [[Tottenham Court Road]]!|Harry|Because [[Trio|we]] used his ''name''?|Exactly! You've got to give them credit, it makes sense. It was only people who were serious about standing up to him, like [[Albus Dumbledore|Dumbledore]], who even dared use it. Now they've put a Taboo on it, anyone who says it is trackable -- quick-and-easy way to find Order members!|[[Ronald Weasley|Ron Weasley]] to [[Harry Potter]] after learning of the Taboo curse|Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows}}
 
   
 
===Second Wizarding War===
Sometime after [[Fall of the Ministry of Magic|seizing indirect control]] of the [[British Ministry of Magic|Ministry of Magic]] in [[1997]], Voldemort made his own name Taboo. Thus, whenever his name was spoken aloud, [[Death Eaters]] and [[Snatchers]] were alerted as to the location of the speaker. Since the only individuals who dared speak Voldemort's name were members of the [[Order of the Phoenix]] or their allies, the Taboo allowed Voldemort's followers to track down their enemies.<ref name="DH20">''[[Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows]]'', Ch. 20</ref> Anyone who dares to speak the name and break the Taboo will be convicted and hunted down as criminals. Harry Potter broke the Taboo curse twice in the [[Horcrux hunt|hunt for Voldemort's horcruxes]], as well as [[Kingsley Shacklebolt]], who accidently broke the Taboo and had to fight off several Death Eaters before going on the run.
 
 
====Implementation====
 
{{Dialogue a-b-a|Ron|...the name's been jinxed, [[Harry Potter|Harry]], that's how they track people! Using his name breaks protective enchantments, it causes some kind of magical disturbance it's how they found [[Trio|us]] in [[Tottenham Court Road]]!|Harry|Because [[Trio|we]] used his ''name''?|Exactly! You've got to give them credit, it makes sense. It was only people who were serious about standing up to him, like [[Albus Dumbledore|Dumbledore]], who even dared use it. Now they've put a Taboo on it, anyone who says it is trackable quick-and-easy way to find Order members!|[[Ronald Weasley|Ron Weasley]] to [[Harry Potter]] after learning of the Taboo curse.|Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows}}
   
 
Sometime after [[Fall of the Ministry of Magic|seizing indirect control]] of the [[British Ministry of Magic|Ministry of Magic]] in [[1997]], Voldemort made his own name Taboo. Thus, whenever his name was spoken aloud, [[Death Eaters]] and [[Snatchers]] were alerted to the location of the speaker. Since the only individuals who dared speak Voldemort's name were members of the [[Order of the Phoenix]] or their allies, the Taboo allowed Voldemort's followers to track down their enemies.<ref name="DH20">''[[Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows]]'', Ch. 20</ref> Anyone who dared to speak the name and break the Taboo would be hunted down as criminals. [[Hermione Granger]] broke the Taboo once while the trio were at [[Tottenham Court Road]], which led two Death Eaters (disguised as construction workers) to their location. Harry Potter broke the Taboo while they were camping during the [[Horcrux hunt|hunt for Voldemort's horcruxes]], leading to their capture by Snatchers. [[Kingsley Shacklebolt]] broke the Taboo and had to fight off several Death Eaters before going on the run, which is what alerted the Order of the Phoenix to the Taboo's existence.
The anti-Voldemort radio programme ''[[Potterwatch]]'', which was run by Order members and sympathisers, took to referring to Voldemort as "Chief Death Eater" as one of their methods of avoiding detection.<ref name="DH22">''Deathly Hallows'', Ch. 22</ref>.
 
   
 
The anti-Voldemort radio programme ''[[Potterwatch]]'', which was run by Order members and sympathisers, took to referring to Voldemort as "Chief Death Eater" as one of their methods of avoiding detection.<ref name="DH22">''Deathly Hallows'', Ch. 22</ref>
It is also possible that Voldemort invented the Taboo curse, as it seemed that no one was aware how his Death Eaters were able to track people who spoke Voldemort's name.
 
   
===Known triggers===
+
==Known triggers==
*[[Death Eaters]] [[Antonin Dolohov]] and [[Thorfinn Rowle]] used the Taboo curse to trace [[Harry Potter]], [[Ronald Weasley|Ron Weasley]] and [[Hermione Granger]] to a [[Luchino Caffe|café]] on [[Tottenham Court Road]] shortly after they [[Apparition|Disapparated]] from [[William Weasley|Bill Weasley]] and [[Fleur Delacour]]'s [[Wedding of William Weasley and Fleur Delacour|wedding]]<ref name="DH20"/>. The trio [[Skirmish at Luchino Caffe|managed to escape]]. Although they did not know about the Taboo for some time, they stopped using Voldemort's name at Ron's request<ref name="DH14">''Deathly Hallows'', Ch. 14</ref>.
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* [[Death Eaters]] [[Antonin Dolohov]] and [[Thorfinn Rowle]] used the Taboo curse to trace [[Harry Potter]], [[Ronald Weasley|Ron Weasley]] and [[Hermione Granger]] to a [[Luchino Caffe|café]] on [[Tottenham Court Road]] shortly after they [[Apparition|Disapparated]] from [[William Weasley|Bill Weasley]] and [[Fleur Delacour]]'s [[Wedding of William Weasley and Fleur Delacour|wedding]].<ref name="DH20"/> The trio [[Luchino Caffe Duel|managed to escape]]. Although they did not know about the Taboo for some time, they stopped using Voldemort's name at Ron's request.<ref name="DH14">''Deathly Hallows'', Ch. 14</ref>
*[[Death Eaters]] also used it to corner [[Kingsley Shacklebolt]], but the [[Auror]] and Order member fought his way free and went on the run.<ref name="DH20"/>
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* [[Death Eaters]] also used it to track down [[Kingsley Shacklebolt]], but the [[Auror]] and Order member escaped capture and went on the run.<ref name="DH20"/>
*[[Harry Potter]] broke the Taboo in the spring of [[1998]], leading to the trio's capture by a gang of Snatchers led by [[Fenrir Greyback]] and subsequent [[Skirmish at Malfoy Manor|detention at and escape]] from [[Malfoy Manor]].<ref name="DH22"/>
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* [[Harry Potter]] accidentally broke the Taboo in the spring of [[1998]], leading to the trio's capture by a gang of Snatchers led by [[Fenrir Greyback]] and subsequent [[Skirmish at Malfoy Manor|detention at and escape]] from [[Malfoy Manor]].<ref name="DH22"/>
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** In ''[[Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 1]]'', [[Xenophilius Lovegood]] purposely triggered the Taboo in order to lure Death Eaters to his house to capture Harry.
   
 
===Possible triggers===
 
===Possible triggers===
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==Defence against the Taboo==
 
==Defence against the Taboo==
The Taboo, when triggered can break normal defensive enchantments (invisibility, etc.) such as when Harry, Hermione, and Ron were captured by the Snatchers. However, when inside the protection of very powerful enchantments such as the [[Fidelius Charm]], the protection seems to remain unchanged. This may be why the trio were protected at [[12 Grimmauld Place]], even though they repeatedly used [[Tom Riddle|Lord Voldemort]]'s name while hiding there in [[1997]], as whenever Harry looked outside the window, he could see Death Eaters lurking around the place. So it can be made sure that the Taboo does not break a Fidelius Charm, but directs the person to near the location, if the person does not know the address or is Secret Keeper.
+
The Taboo, when triggered can break normal defensive enchantments (invisibility, etc.) such as when Harry, Hermione, and Ron were captured by the Snatchers. However, when inside the protection of very powerful enchantments such as the [[Fidelius Charm]], the protection seems to remain unchanged. This may be why the trio were protected at [[12 Grimmauld Place]], even though they repeatedly used [[Tom Riddle|Lord Voldemort]]'s name while hiding there in [[1997]], as whenever Harry looked outside the window, he could see Death Eaters lurking around the place. So it can be made sure that the Taboo does not break a Fidelius Charm, but directs the person to near the location, if the person does not know the address or is Secret Keeper. Actually, considering the Fidelius Charm is supposed to be the most powerful spell for protecting secrets, it is unlikely the Taboo affects it at all. More likely is the explanation that is offered in the book; that the Death Eaters know the general placement of the building. The Ministry of Magic must have archives, and the Ministry was under Death Eater control at the time. Alternatively, Bellatrix Lestrange likely knew of the house, as she was originally a Black.
  +
  +
== Behind the scenes ==
  +
* It is currently unknown from whence the Taboo curse actually originated, although it can be presumed that, following the fall of the Ministry, the Committee on Experimental Charms was coerced into helping the Death Eaters come up with a manner that would make it easier for them to track down enemies of the Dark Lord. It is also possible that Voldemort invented the Taboo curse himself, as it seemed that no one was aware how his Death Eaters were able to track people who spoke Voldemort's name.
   
 
==Appearances==
 
==Appearances==
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[[fr:Tabou]]
 
[[fr:Tabou]]
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[[ru:Заклинание табу]]
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[[pl:Tabu]]
 
[[Category:Curses]]
 
[[Category:Curses]]
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[[Category:Second Wizarding War]]

Revision as of 21:55, 14 April 2016

"Fear of a name increases fear of a thing itself."
Albus Dumbledore[src]

The Taboo curse (incantation unknown) is a powerful spell which designates a word as a key to revealing the speaker's location.

Effects

The curse works in a similar manner to the Trace spell, but rather than being triggered when any magic at all is used, it is triggered when a certain specific word is spoken. It works regardless of the age of the speaker and disables some weaker protective magical enchantments. If the speaker is in a building protected by the powerful Fidelius Charm, for example, it may reveal the general area around the speaker's house, but will not break the charm. This curse controls individuals by limiting their freedom to speak, and thus causes great stress, terror, and frustration. Because of these reasons, it may be considered to be Dark magic.

History

First Wizarding War

Some have theorised that the practise of saying "You-Know-Who" instead of Voldemort's proper name might have began when he used a Taboo on his name during the First Wizarding War. This is unlikely, because Dumbledore encouraged people to use the proper name Voldemort so as to not fear the name. He would not have encouraged this if saying the Dark Lord's name would have endangered people. The Taboo's use during the Second Wizarding War seems to have been novel. It was particularly effective in capturing members of the Order of the Phoenix, as well as the D.A. The practise of saying "You-Know-Who" instead of Voldemort is most likely caused by memories of the extreme fear and panic hearing his name would inspire and a desire to avoid arousing those bad memories.

Second Wizarding War

Implementation

Ron: "...the name's been jinxed, Harry, that's how they track people! Using his name breaks protective enchantments, it causes some kind of magical disturbance — it's how they found us in Tottenham Court Road!"
Harry: "Because we used his name?"
Ron: "Exactly! You've got to give them credit, it makes sense. It was only people who were serious about standing up to him, like Dumbledore, who even dared use it. Now they've put a Taboo on it, anyone who says it is trackable — quick-and-easy way to find Order members!"
Ron Weasley to Harry Potter after learning of the Taboo curse.[src]

Sometime after seizing indirect control of the Ministry of Magic in 1997, Voldemort made his own name Taboo. Thus, whenever his name was spoken aloud, Death Eaters and Snatchers were alerted to the location of the speaker. Since the only individuals who dared speak Voldemort's name were members of the Order of the Phoenix or their allies, the Taboo allowed Voldemort's followers to track down their enemies.[1] Anyone who dared to speak the name and break the Taboo would be hunted down as criminals. Hermione Granger broke the Taboo once while the trio were at Tottenham Court Road, which led two Death Eaters (disguised as construction workers) to their location. Harry Potter broke the Taboo while they were camping during the hunt for Voldemort's horcruxes, leading to their capture by Snatchers. Kingsley Shacklebolt broke the Taboo and had to fight off several Death Eaters before going on the run, which is what alerted the Order of the Phoenix to the Taboo's existence.

The anti-Voldemort radio programme Potterwatch, which was run by Order members and sympathisers, took to referring to Voldemort as "Chief Death Eater" as one of their methods of avoiding detection.[2]

Known triggers

Possible triggers

Defence against the Taboo

The Taboo, when triggered can break normal defensive enchantments (invisibility, etc.) such as when Harry, Hermione, and Ron were captured by the Snatchers. However, when inside the protection of very powerful enchantments such as the Fidelius Charm, the protection seems to remain unchanged. This may be why the trio were protected at 12 Grimmauld Place, even though they repeatedly used Lord Voldemort's name while hiding there in 1997, as whenever Harry looked outside the window, he could see Death Eaters lurking around the place. So it can be made sure that the Taboo does not break a Fidelius Charm, but directs the person to near the location, if the person does not know the address or is Secret Keeper. Actually, considering the Fidelius Charm is supposed to be the most powerful spell for protecting secrets, it is unlikely the Taboo affects it at all. More likely is the explanation that is offered in the book; that the Death Eaters know the general placement of the building. The Ministry of Magic must have archives, and the Ministry was under Death Eater control at the time. Alternatively, Bellatrix Lestrange likely knew of the house, as she was originally a Black.

Behind the scenes

  • It is currently unknown from whence the Taboo curse actually originated, although it can be presumed that, following the fall of the Ministry, the Committee on Experimental Charms was coerced into helping the Death Eaters come up with a manner that would make it easier for them to track down enemies of the Dark Lord. It is also possible that Voldemort invented the Taboo curse himself, as it seemed that no one was aware how his Death Eaters were able to track people who spoke Voldemort's name.

Appearances

Notes and references

  1. 1.0 1.1 1.2 Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows, Ch. 20
  2. 2.0 2.1 Deathly Hallows, Ch. 22
  3. Deathly Hallows, Ch. 14