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(Second part of the sentence is not an independent clause. "Alohomora" is not the name of the charm. It's the incantation. All incantations should be italicized.)
(In the book, Hermione was the one who tried out Alohomora.)
Tag: sourceedit
(34 intermediate revisions by 15 users not shown)
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{{Spell infobox
  
{{Spell infobox
 
|name=Unlocking Charm
  
|name=Unlocking Charm
−
|image=[[File:Alohomora.JPG|250px]]
 +
|image=[[File:Unlocking charm1.gif|250px]]
 
|incantation=''Alohomora''<br/>(al-LOH-ha-MOR-ah)
  
|incantation=''Alohomora''<br/>(al-LOH-ha-MOR-ah)
 
|type=[[Charm]]
  
|type=[[Charm]]
 
|hand=[[File:Unlocking-spell.png]]
  
|hand=[[File:Unlocking-spell.png]]
−
|light=Invisible, blue, or yellow
 +
|light=Invisible, blue, yellow, or purple<ref>See [https://www.youtube.com//watch?v=U_hplMxkHAo this video]</ref>
  +
|effect=Unlocks doors and windows<ref name="BL">[http://harrypotter.bloomsbury.com/books/glossary/a Bloomsbury Glossary: A]</ref>
−
|effect=Unlocks doors, chests, etc.
  
 
|creator=[[Ancient African sorcerer]]; first brought to Britain by [[Eldon Elsrickle]] in the early [[1600s]]
  
|creator=[[Ancient African sorcerer]]; first brought to Britain by [[Eldon Elsrickle]] in the early [[1600s]]
 
}}
  
}}
⚫
{{Quote|There are many ways to pass through locked doors in the magical world (see the [[Fire-Making Spell]], [[Gouging Spell]], and the [[Reductor Curse]]) where you wish to enter or depart discreetly, however, the Unlocking Charm is your best friend.|The introduction to the entry on this spell in ''[[Book of Spells]]''.|Wonderbook: Book of Spells}}
  
   
  ⚫
{{Quote|There are many ways to pass through locked doors in the magical world (see the [[Fire-Making Spell]], [[Gouging Spell]], and the [[Reductor Curse]]) where you wish to enter or depart discreetly, however, the Unlocking Charm is your best friend.|The introduction in the ''[[Book of Spells]]''.|Wonderbook: Book of Spells}}
⚫
The '''Unlocking Charm''', also known as the '''Thief's Friend''' (''Alohomora'') is a [[charm]] that opens mechanical locks that are not protected by magic. It is also able to open doors locked by ''[[Colloportus]]''. There is a spell called the [[Anti-Alohomora Charm]] which is used to counteract this spell.
  
   
  ⚫
The '''Unlocking Charm''', also known as the '''Thief's Friend''' (''Alohomora'') is a [[charm]] that unlocks and opens doors and windows<ref name="BL" /> that are not protected by magic. It is also able to open doors locked by the [[Locking Spell]] (''Colloportus'').
⚫
Descriptions of this spell are written in numerous books, including [[The Standard Book of Spells, Grade 1|the first volume of the Standard Book of Spells series]], where it is described in chapter seven <ref>[[Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone (film)]]</ref> and [[Alohomora spellbook|a spellbook]] that can be found in the [[Hogwarts Library]].<ref>[[Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone (video game)]]</ref>
  
   
 
==History==
  
==History==
−
Although it is unknown who invented it (the spell was created in [[Africa]]) it was brought to [[Britain]] and hence to the world in the [[17th century]] by [[Eldon Elsrickle]]. He used it to terrorise [[London]], stealing from homes of [[Muggle]]s and [[Wizardkind|wizards]] alike, until [[Blagdon Blay]] invented an Anti-Alohomora Charm.
 +
Although it is unknown who invented it (the spell was created in [[Africa]]) it was brought to [[Britain]] and hence to the world in the [[17th century]] by [[Eldon Elsrickle]]. He used it to terrorise [[London]], stealing from homes of [[Muggle]]s and [[Wizardkind|wizards]] alike, until [[Blagdon Blay]] invented the [[Anti-Alohomora Charm]].
   
  +
Prior to ''Alohomora'', the most popular unlocking spell was ''[[Portaberto]]'' (used to splinter a lock from a door; though known to occasionally leave a smoking hole where the key should have gone) and, before that, ''[[Open Sesame]]'' (which ripped doors from their hinges and tore them into firewood). All of these were more rudimentary and by far less subtle than ''Alohomora''.
⚫
==Known practitioners==
  
⚫
*[[Eldon Elsrickle]]
  
⚫
*[[Hermione Granger]]
  
⚫
*[[Ronald Weasley|Ron Weasley]]
  
⚫
*[[Harry Potter]]
  
⚫
*[[Tom Riddle|Lord Voldemort]]
  
⚫
*[[Miriam Strout]]
  
⚫
*[[Nymphadora Tonks]]
  
⚫
*Unknown Death Eater (possibly [[Lucius Malfoy]])
  
   
  ⚫
Descriptions of this spell are written in numerous books, including [[The Standard Book of Spells, Grade 1|the first volume of the Standard Book of Spells series]], where it is described in chapter seven <ref>[[Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone (film)]]</ref> and [[Alohomora spellbook|a spellbook]] that can be found in the [[Hogwarts Library]].<ref>[[Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone (video game)]]</ref> This spell is also taught in Charms class to first years at [[Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry|Hogwarts school of Witchcraft and Wizardry]] and is one of the first spells students learn.
  +
  +
== Counter-charm ==
  +
There is a spell called the [[Anti-Alohomora Charm]] which is used to counteract this spell. [[Magical lock]]s also existed and were placed on several doors, but could be unlocked with this charm.
 
==Known uses==
  
==Known uses==
 
===Successful===
  
===Successful===
  +
{| class="wikitable" border="1"
⚫
* In the early [[1600s]], [[Eldon Elsrickle]] was the first wizard to use it in the western world. Elsrickle had learnt the spell from an [[Ancient African sorcerer]] and used it to ransack the houses of [[London]], [[Muggle]], and [[Wizardkind|wizarding]] alike.
  
  +
|-
⚫
* On October 31, 1981, [[Tom Riddle|Lord Voldemort]] used this spell to break into the Potters' house and murder [[James Potter I|James]] and [[Lily Evans|Lily Potter]].
  
  +
! align="left" width="17%" |Caster(s)
−
* [[Hermione Granger]] used this spell on multiple occasions: She used it to open a forbidden entrance on the [[Third Floor Corridor]] of [[Hogwarts Castle]] in [[1991]], to open the window to Professor [[Filius Flitwick]]'s office to rescue [[Sirius Black]] in [[1994]], and to open [[Regulus Black]]'s bedroom in [[12 Grimmauld Place]] in [[1997]].
  
  +
! align="left" width="17%" |Date
⚫
* The [[Janus Thickey Ward]] at [[St. Mungo's Hospital for Magical Maladies and Injuries]] can only be entered by using this spell. [[Healer]]s and visitors may enter, but patients are unable to get out.
  
  +
! align="left" width="50%" |Notes
⚫
* During the [[Battle of the Department of Mysteries]], one of the [[Death Eaters]] used this spell to open doors shut by the [[Dumbledore's Army|D.A.]].
  
  +
|-
−  
  +
|[[Eldon Elsrickle]]
  +
|[[1600s]]
  ⚫
|The first wizard to use it in the western world. Elsrickle had learnt the spell from an [[Ancient African sorcerer]] and used it to ransack the houses of [[London]], [[Muggle]], and [[Wizardkind|wizarding]] alike.
  +
|-
  +
|[[Tom Riddle|Lord Voldemort]]
  +
|[[31 October]], [[1981]]
  ⚫
|Used this spell to break into the Potters' house and murder [[James Potter I|James]] and [[Lily Evans|Lily Potter]]. He also attempted to murder their son [[Harry Potter]].
  +
|-
  +
| colspan="1" rowspan="3"|[[Hermione Granger]]
  +
|[[1991]]
  +
|She used it to open a forbidden entrance on the [[Third Floor Corridor]] of [[Hogwarts Castle]].
  +
|-
  +
|[[6 June]], [[1994]]
  +
|She used it to open the window to Professor [[Filius Flitwick]]'s office to rescue [[Sirius Black]].
  +
|-
  +
|[[2 August]], [[1997]]
  +
|She also used it to open [[Regulus Black]]'s bedroom in [[12 Grimmauld Place]].
  +
|-
  +
| colspan="1"|[[Death Eaters]]
  +
|[[18 June]], [[1996]]
  ⚫
|One of the [[Death Eaters]] used this spell to open doors shut by the [[Dumbledore's Army|D.A.]].
  +
|-
  +
| colspan="1"|[[St. Mungo's]] staff
  +
|Unknown
  ⚫
|The [[Janus Thickey Ward]] at [[St. Mungo's Hospital for Magical Maladies and Injuries]] can only be entered by using this spell. [[Healer]]s and visitors may enter, but patients are unable to get out.
  +
|}
 
===Unsuccessful===
  
===Unsuccessful===
  +
{| class="wikitable" border="1"
⚫
* In the [[1600]]s, after multiple robberies, Eldon Elsrickle eventually found that all wizarding households placed an [[Anti-Alohomora Charm]] on their doors and could no longer unlock their doors.
  
  +
|-
⚫
* The door guarding the [[Philosopher's Stone]] in [[1991]] was protected against the Unlocking Charm; a [[Winged Keys|winged key]] was necessary to open it. A single door in the [[Department of Mysteries]] was impervious to this spell as well. It is the door which presumably conceals the room where the [[British Ministry of Magic|Ministry of Magic]] studies the power of love.
  
  +
! align="left" width="17%" |Caster(s)
⚫
* In [[1996]], Harry assumed that [[Dolores Umbridge|Umbridge]]'s office door had been bewitched so that this spell wouldn't work.
  
  +
! align="left" width="17%" |Date
⚫
* In [[1996]], Harry Potter tried to use the spell on the Hogwarts gates with no effect since [[Albus Dumbledore]] had bewitched them.
  
  +
! align="left" width="50%" |Notes
  +
|-
  +
|Eldon Elsrickle
  +
|[[1600]]<nowiki/>s
  ⚫
|He eventually found that all wizarding households placed an [[Anti-Alohomora Charm]] on their doors and could no longer unlock their doors.
  +
|-
  +
|Hogwarts staff
  +
|1991
  ⚫
|The door guarding the [[Philosopher's Stone]] was protected against the Unlocking Charm; a [[Winged Keys|winged key]] was necessary to open it. A single door in the [[Department of Mysteries]] was impervious to this spell as well; it may be presumed that it opens in the room where the [[British Ministry of Magic|Ministry of Magic]] studies the power of love.
  +
|-
  +
|Hermione Granger
  +
|1992
  +
|Hermione tried to use Alohomora on the locked door in the Flying Key room, but the door could only open with the key<ref>[[Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone]]</ref>.
  +
|-
  +
|[[Harry Potter]]
  +
|[[1 September]], 1996
  ⚫
|Harry tried to use the spell on the Hogwarts gates with no effect since [[Albus Dumbledore]] had bewitched them.
  +
|-
  +
|[[Dolores Umbridge]]
  +
|1996
  ⚫
|Harry Potter assumed that [[Dolores Umbridge|Umbridge]]'s office door had been bewitched so that this spell wouldn't work.
  +
|}
  ⚫
== Known practitioners ==
  ⚫
* [[Eldon Elsrickle]]
  ⚫
* [[Hermione Granger]]
  ⚫
* [[Ronald Weasley|Ron Weasley]]
  ⚫
* [[Harry Potter]]
  ⚫
* [[Tom Riddle|Lord Voldemort]]
  ⚫
* [[Miriam Strout]]
  ⚫
* [[Nymphadora Tonks]]
  ⚫
* Unknown Death Eater (possibly [[Lucius Malfoy]])
   
 
==Etymology==
  
==Etymology==
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==Behind the scenes==
  
==Behind the scenes==
−
[[File:Alorromora.JPG|thumb|Harry opening Dolores Umbridge's Office with this spell]]
 +
[[File:Alorromora.JPG|thumb|Harry opening Dolores Umbridge's Office with this spell|240x240px]]
  +
*''[[Alohomora Duo]]'' is a stronger version of this spell.
 
*Although [[Dolores Umbridge]]'s office at [[Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry|Hogwarts]] was (assumed) impervious to this spell in the novel, [[Harry Potter]] uses this [[spell]] to open it before attempting to use the [[Floo Network]] in the [[Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix (film)|film adaptation]] of ''[[Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix]]''.
  
*Although [[Dolores Umbridge]]'s office at [[Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry|Hogwarts]] was (assumed) impervious to this spell in the novel, [[Harry Potter]] uses this [[spell]] to open it before attempting to use the [[Floo Network]] in the [[Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix (film)|film adaptation]] of ''[[Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix]]''.
 
*As it was described in a textbook, this may be learned in Hogwarts Charms classes in the first year.
  
*As it was described in a textbook, this may be learned in Hogwarts Charms classes in the first year.
Line 54: Line 107:
 
*In the [[Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban (film)|film adaptation]] of ''[[Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban]]'', instead of using the Unlocking Charm to help [[Sirius Black]] escape, Hermione used ''[[Bombarda]]'' to blast open his cell door.
  
*In the [[Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban (film)|film adaptation]] of ''[[Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban]]'', instead of using the Unlocking Charm to help [[Sirius Black]] escape, Hermione used ''[[Bombarda]]'' to blast open his cell door.
 
*In the [[Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets (video game)|''Chamber of Secrets'' video game]] for GameCube, Xbox, and PS2 it's specified that the Unlocking Charm is for use on mechanical locks. In most other sources, it's used on magical locks and the [[Locking Spell]] as well.
  
*In the [[Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets (video game)|''Chamber of Secrets'' video game]] for GameCube, Xbox, and PS2 it's specified that the Unlocking Charm is for use on mechanical locks. In most other sources, it's used on magical locks and the [[Locking Spell]] as well.
  +
**Also in the manuals for the video games, it lampshades the fact that not everything can be unlocked with the charm (such as certain doors and inaccessible areas), and thus tells the player to not get frustrated over this fact.
  +
***It is only in ''Chamber of Secrets'', that only chests can be opened with the charm, while in the previous game, almost anything can be unlocked as long as it had to symbol for the charm's use. This was mainly that in the second game, the charm was to be optionally brought at [[Fred and George Weasley's Shop]] in the video games, and thus it would have little impact on locations that involve the story of the game outside of sidequests and hidden locations.
 
*In ''[[LEGO Harry Potter: Years 1-4]]'' and ''[[LEGO Harry Potter: Years 5-7|Years 5-7]]'', the [[Reductor Curse]] is used to blast open most locks, instead of the Unlocking Charm.
  
*In ''[[LEGO Harry Potter: Years 1-4]]'' and ''[[LEGO Harry Potter: Years 5-7|Years 5-7]]'', the [[Reductor Curse]] is used to blast open most locks, instead of the Unlocking Charm.
 
*According to ''[[Book of Spells]]'', the spell ''[[Portaberto]]'' was the most popular unlocking spell before this, and prior to that ''[[Open Sesame]]'' was.
  
*According to ''[[Book of Spells]]'', the spell ''[[Portaberto]]'' was the most popular unlocking spell before this, and prior to that ''[[Open Sesame]]'' was.
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[[fr:Sortilège de Déverrouillage]]
  
[[fr:Sortilège de Déverrouillage]]
 
[[ru:Алохомора]]
  
[[ru:Алохомора]]
  +
[[fi:Alohomora]]
  +
[[pl:Alohomora]]
 
[[Category:Charms]]
  
[[Category:Charms]]
 
[[Category:Opening spells]]
  
[[Category:Opening spells]]

Revision as of 19:56, 26 February 2015

"There are many ways to pass through locked doors in the magical world (see the Fire-Making Spell, Gouging Spell, and the Reductor Curse) where you wish to enter or depart discreetly, however, the Unlocking Charm is your best friend."
— The introduction in the Book of Spells.[src]

The Unlocking Charm, also known as the Thief's Friend (Alohomora) is a charm that unlocks and opens doors and windows[2] that are not protected by magic. It is also able to open doors locked by the Locking Spell (Colloportus).

History

Although it is unknown who invented it (the spell was created in Africa) it was brought to Britain and hence to the world in the 17th century by Eldon Elsrickle. He used it to terrorise London, stealing from homes of Muggles and wizards alike, until Blagdon Blay invented the Anti-Alohomora Charm.

Prior to Alohomora, the most popular unlocking spell was Portaberto (used to splinter a lock from a door; though known to occasionally leave a smoking hole where the key should have gone) and, before that, Open Sesame (which ripped doors from their hinges and tore them into firewood). All of these were more rudimentary and by far less subtle than Alohomora.

Descriptions of this spell are written in numerous books, including the first volume of the Standard Book of Spells series, where it is described in chapter seven [3] and a spellbook that can be found in the Hogwarts Library.[4] This spell is also taught in Charms class to first years at Hogwarts school of Witchcraft and Wizardry and is one of the first spells students learn.

Counter-charm

There is a spell called the Anti-Alohomora Charm which is used to counteract this spell. Magical locks also existed and were placed on several doors, but could be unlocked with this charm.

Known uses

Successful

Caster(s) Date Notes
Eldon Elsrickle 1600s The first wizard to use it in the western world. Elsrickle had learnt the spell from an Ancient African sorcerer and used it to ransack the houses of London, Muggle, and wizarding alike.
Lord Voldemort 31 October, 1981 Used this spell to break into the Potters' house and murder James and Lily Potter. He also attempted to murder their son Harry Potter.
Hermione Granger 1991 She used it to open a forbidden entrance on the Third Floor Corridor of Hogwarts Castle.
6 June, 1994 She used it to open the window to Professor Filius Flitwick's office to rescue Sirius Black.
2 August, 1997 She also used it to open Regulus Black's bedroom in 12 Grimmauld Place.
Death Eaters 18 June, 1996 One of the Death Eaters used this spell to open doors shut by the D.A..
St. Mungo's staff Unknown The Janus Thickey Ward at St. Mungo's Hospital for Magical Maladies and Injuries can only be entered by using this spell. Healers and visitors may enter, but patients are unable to get out.

Unsuccessful

Caster(s) Date Notes
Eldon Elsrickle 1600s He eventually found that all wizarding households placed an Anti-Alohomora Charm on their doors and could no longer unlock their doors.
Hogwarts staff 1991 The door guarding the Philosopher's Stone was protected against the Unlocking Charm; a winged key was necessary to open it. A single door in the Department of Mysteries was impervious to this spell as well; it may be presumed that it opens in the room where the Ministry of Magic studies the power of love.
Hermione Granger 1992 Hermione tried to use Alohomora on the locked door in the Flying Key room, but the door could only open with the key[5].
Harry Potter 1 September, 1996 Harry tried to use the spell on the Hogwarts gates with no effect since Albus Dumbledore had bewitched them.
Dolores Umbridge 1996 Harry Potter assumed that Umbridge's office door had been bewitched so that this spell wouldn't work.

Known practitioners

Etymology

J. K. Rowling stated that the word was from the West African Sidiki dialect used in geomancy and has the literal meaning "Friendly to thieves". [6]

Behind the scenes

Alorromora

Harry opening Dolores Umbridge's Office with this spell

  • Alohomora Duo is a stronger version of this spell.
  • Although Dolores Umbridge's office at Hogwarts was (assumed) impervious to this spell in the novel, Harry Potter uses this spell to open it before attempting to use the Floo Network in the film adaptation of Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix.
  • As it was described in a textbook, this may be learned in Hogwarts Charms classes in the first year.
  • This may be the spell that Remus Lupin used to open a wardrobe containing a Boggart and the spell that Harry Potter used wandlessly to open his cupboard to retrieve his school supplies.
  • In the film adaptation of Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban, instead of using the Unlocking Charm to help Sirius Black escape, Hermione used Bombarda to blast open his cell door.
  • In the Chamber of Secrets video game for GameCube, Xbox, and PS2 it's specified that the Unlocking Charm is for use on mechanical locks. In most other sources, it's used on magical locks and the Locking Spell as well.
    • Also in the manuals for the video games, it lampshades the fact that not everything can be unlocked with the charm (such as certain doors and inaccessible areas), and thus tells the player to not get frustrated over this fact.
      • It is only in Chamber of Secrets, that only chests can be opened with the charm, while in the previous game, almost anything can be unlocked as long as it had to symbol for the charm's use. This was mainly that in the second game, the charm was to be optionally brought at Fred and George Weasley's Shop in the video games, and thus it would have little impact on locations that involve the story of the game outside of sidequests and hidden locations.
  • In LEGO Harry Potter: Years 1-4 and Years 5-7, the Reductor Curse is used to blast open most locks, instead of the Unlocking Charm.
  • According to Book of Spells, the spell Portaberto was the most popular unlocking spell before this, and prior to that Open Sesame was.

See also

Appearances

Notes and references

  1. ↑ See this video
  2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 Bloomsbury Glossary: A
  3. ↑ Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone (film)
  4. ↑ Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone (video game)
  5. ↑ Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone
  6. ↑ Rowling, J. K. (2008-04-14). Statement of J.K. Rowling in testimony during the WB and JKR vs. RDR Books. Archived on 2008-04-16 from http://web.archive.org/web/20080423072217/www.the-leaky-cauldron.org/2008/4/15/first-day-of-jkr-wb-vs-rdr-books-trial
  7. ↑ Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets, Chapter 1 - (The Worst Birthday) - Harry considers the possibility of unlocking Hedwig's cage using magic.
The Standard Book of Spells
Book of Spells 1
Grade 1 · Grade 2 · Grade 3 · Grade 4 · Grade 5 · Grade 6 · Grade 7
Charms included in the series: Dancing Feet Spell (Tarantallegra) · Disarming Charm (Expelliarmus) · Engorgement Charm (Engorgio) · Fire-Making Spell (Incendio) · Freezing Charm (Immobulus) · General Counter-Spell (Finite Incantatem) · Levitation Charm (Wingardium Leviosa) · Locking Spell (Colloportus) · Memory Charm (Obliviate) · Mending Charm (Reparo) · Nonverbal spell · Severing Charm (Diffindo) · Skurge Charm (Skurge) · Softening Charm (Spongify) · Substantive Charm · Summoning Charm (Accio) · Tickling Charm (Rictusempra) · Unlocking Charm (Alohomora) · Wand-Lighting Charm (Lumos)
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