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[[File:Wands.jpg|thumb|right|200px|Various [[wand]]s of different woods.]]
 
[[File:Wands.jpg|thumb|right|200px|Various [[wand]]s of different woods.]]
Various different types of '''wood''' are used in the construction of [[wand]]s. They are also embedded with a [[wand core|core]] of a [[magic]]al substance. Wands vary according to length, from at least 6" to 16", as well as rigidity, ranging from "springy"<ref>The [[Cedric Diggory's wand|wand]] of [[Cedric Diggory]] was described as "pleasantly springy" by [[Garrick Ollivander]] in ''[[Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire]]''.</ref> to "unyielding"<ref>Ollivander described [[Bellatrix Lestrange]]'s [[Bellatrix Lestrange's wand|wand]] as "unyielding" in Chapter 24 of ''[[Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows]]''.</ref>.
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Various different types of '''wood''' are used in the construction of [[wand]]s. They are also embedded with a [[wand core|core]] of a [[magic]]al substance. Wands vary according to length, from at least 5" to 16", as well as rigidity, ranging from "springy"<ref>The [[Cedric Diggory's wand|wand]] of [[Cedric Diggory]] was described as "pleasantly springy" by [[Garrick Ollivander]] in ''[[Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire]]''.</ref> to "unyielding"<ref>Ollivander described [[Bellatrix Lestrange]]'s [[Bellatrix Lestrange's wand|wand]] as "unyielding" in Chapter 24 of ''[[Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows]]''.</ref>.
   
 
==Known wand woods==
 
==Known wand woods==
<gallery widths="142" position="center" captionalign="center">
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<gallery widths="142" position="center" captionalign="center" orientation="none">
Harrypotterwand.jpeg|[[Harry Potter]]'s [[Harry Potter's wand|wand]], 11" [[holly]] wood, [[phoenix feather]].
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Harrypotterwand.jpeg|[[Harry Potter]]'s [[Harry Potter's wand|wand]], 11" [[holly]] wood, [[phoenix feather]], nice and supple.
 
Hermionegrangerwand.jpg|[[Hermione Granger]]'s [[Hermione Granger's wand|wand]], 10¾" [[vine]] wood, [[dragon heartstring]].
 
Hermionegrangerwand.jpg|[[Hermione Granger]]'s [[Hermione Granger's wand|wand]], 10¾" [[vine]] wood, [[dragon heartstring]].
KrumsWand.JPG|[[Viktor Krum]]'s [[Viktor Krum's wand|wand]], 10¼" [[hornbeam]] wood, [[dragon heartstring]].
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KrumsWand.JPG|[[Viktor Krum]]'s [[Viktor Krum's wand|wand]], 10¼" [[hornbeam]] wood, [[dragon heartstring]], quite rigid.
Malfoy's wand.jpg|[[Draco Malfoy]]'s [[Draco Malfoy's wand|wand]], 10" [[hawthorn]] wood, [[unicorn hair]].
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Malfoy's wand.jpg|[[Draco Malfoy]]'s [[Draco Malfoy's wand|wand]], 10" [[hawthorn]] wood, [[unicorn hair]], reasonably pliant.
Voldemort's wand.jpg|[[Tom Riddle|Lord Voldemort]]'s [[Tom Riddle's wand|wand]], 13½" [[yew]] wood, [[phoenix feather]].
 
 
Ron weasley wand.jpg|[[Ronald Weasley]]'s [[Ronald Weasley's first wand|first wand]], [[ash]] wood, [[unicorn hair]].
 
Ron weasley wand.jpg|[[Ronald Weasley]]'s [[Ronald Weasley's first wand|first wand]], [[ash]] wood, [[unicorn hair]].
  +
The elder wand.jpg|The Elder Wand, 15", Elder wood, Thestral Hair
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CherryNevilleLongbottom.png|[[Neville Longbottom]]'s second wand,13", cherry wood, unicorn hair
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CypressRemusLupin.png|[[Remus Lupin]]'s wand, 10¼", Cypress, unicorn hair, pliable
  +
RosewoodFleurDelacour.png|[[Fleur Delacour]], 9½", Rosewood, Veela hair, Inflexible
  +
Cedricwand.jpg|[[Cedric Diggory]]'s wand, 12¼", Ash wood, unicorn hair, pleasantly springy
 
YewTomRiddle.png|[[Tom Riddle|Lord Voldemort]]'s [[Tom Riddle's wand|wand]], 13½" [[yew]] wood, [[phoenix feather]]
  +
WalnutBellatrixLestrange.png|[[Bellatrix Lestrange]]'s first wand, 12¾" , Walnut wood, dragon heartstring, unyielding
 
</gallery>
 
</gallery>
   
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*A wand produced by [[Garrick Ollivander]] that was presented to [[Harry Potter]] in [[1991]]. It did not choose him.
 
*A wand produced by [[Garrick Ollivander]] that was presented to [[Harry Potter]] in [[1991]]. It did not choose him.
  +
|
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|-
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|[[Birch]]
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|
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*Though [[Garrick Ollivander]] himself did not use it, his associate in the Hogsmeade branch was known to sell wands made from birch.
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*Corresponds to one of the months of the Celtic calendar, from [[24 December]] to [[20 January]]<ref name="CTC"/>.
 
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*The [[blackthorn wand|wand]] of a [[Snatchers|Snatcher]] that was stolen by [[Ronald Weasley|Ron Weasley]] and later used by [[Harry Potter]].
 
*The [[blackthorn wand|wand]] of a [[Snatchers|Snatcher]] that was stolen by [[Ronald Weasley|Ron Weasley]] and later used by [[Harry Potter]].
  +
*According to legend, the wand of [[Cadogan|Sir Cadogan]]
 
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*[[Peter Pettigrew]]'s [[Peter Pettigrew's wand|wand]]
 
*[[Peter Pettigrew]]'s [[Peter Pettigrew's wand|wand]]
*The wands of three successive [[Chief Warlock]]s of the [[Wizengamot]]<ref name="pottermore">[http://lady-slytherin-forever.tumblr.com/post/8977740275/wand-woods-off-of-pottermore Wand wood information from Pottermore]</ref>
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*The wands of three successive [[Chief Warlock]]s of the [[Wizengamot]]<ref name="pottermore">[http://archive.is/20130109102909/lady-slytherin-forever.tumblr.com/post/8977740275/wand-woods-off-of-pottermore Wand wood information from Pottermore]</ref>
  +
*[[Kettleburn|Professor Kettleburn]], former Care of Magical Creatures teacher
 
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|[[Cypress]]
 
|[[Cypress]]
 
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*[[Remus Lupin]]'s [[Remus Lupin's wand|wand]]
*Mentioned only ([[Pottermore]])
 
 
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*[[Viktor Krum]]'s [[Viktor Krum's wand|wand]]
 
*[[Viktor Krum]]'s [[Viktor Krum's wand|wand]]
 
*[[Garrick Ollivander]]'s [[Garrick Ollivander's wand|wand]]
 
*[[Garrick Ollivander]]'s [[Garrick Ollivander's wand|wand]]
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|
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|-
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|[[Ivy]]
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|
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*Though [[Garrick Ollivander]] himself did not use it, his associate in the Hogsmeade branch was known to sell wands made from ivy.
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*Corresponds to one of the months of the Celtic calendar, from [[30 September]] to [[27 October]]<ref name="CTC"/>.
 
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|[[Larch]]
 
|[[Larch]]
 
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*[[Celestina Warbeck]]'s [[Celestina Warbeck's wand|wand]]
*Mentioned only ([[Pottermore]])
 
 
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*Corresponds to one of the months of the Celtic calendar, from [[10 June]] to [[7 July]]<ref name="CTC"/>.
 
*Corresponds to one of the months of the Celtic calendar, from [[10 June]] to [[7 July]]<ref name="CTC"/>.
 
*According to Pottermore, both English oak and Red oak can be used as wand wood.
 
*According to Pottermore, both English oak and Red oak can be used as wand wood.
*[[Merlin]]'s [[Merlin's wand|wand]] is rumored to be English oak
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*[[Merlin]]'s [[Merlin's wand|wand]] is rumoured to be English oak
 
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|[[Pear]]
 
|[[Pear]]
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*Mentioned only ([[Pottermore]])
 
*Mentioned only ([[Pottermore]])
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|-
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|[[Reed]]
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|
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*Though [[Garrick Ollivander]] himself did not use it, his associate in the Hogsmeade branch was known to sell wands made from reed.
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*Corresponds to one of the months of the Celtic calendar, from [[28 October]] to [[23 November]]<ref name="CTC"/>.
 
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*Mentioned only ([[Pottermore]])
 
*Mentioned only ([[Pottermore]])
 
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According to Pottermore silver lime is an incredibly unusual and attractive wood that works best for Seers and those skilled at Legilimency. It was greatly in vogue in the nineteenth century when the demand outstripped supply, causing some wandmakers to dye other wood in effort to fool purchasers into believing they had purchased a silver lime wand.
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According to Pottermore silver lime is an incredibly unusual and attractive wood that works best for Seers and those skilled at Legilimency. It was greatly in vogue in the nineteenth century when the demand outstripped supply, causing some [[wandmaker]]s to dye other wood in effort to fool purchasers into believing they had purchased a silver lime wand.
 
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|[[Spruce]]
 
|[[Spruce]]
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==Behind the scenes==
 
==Behind the scenes==
*Other woods in the Celtic tree calender include {{Wplink|birch}}, {{Wplink|rowan}}, {{Wplink|alder}}, {{Wplink|hazel}}, {{Wplink|ivy}}, and [[Wikipedia:Reed (plant)|reed]]<ref name="CTC"/>, thus these may be other wand woods. As well as these, three other types of wood were used in the first book: {{Wplink|maple}}, {{Wplink|ebony}}, and {{Wplink|beechwood}}.
 
 
*Although [[J. K. Rowling]] has said that she only used the Celtic assignations for Harry, Ron and Hermione,<ref name="JKR"/> [[Draco Malfoy]]'s wand wood of hawthorn matches his date of birth in the Celtic tree calendar as well.
 
*Although [[J. K. Rowling]] has said that she only used the Celtic assignations for Harry, Ron and Hermione,<ref name="JKR"/> [[Draco Malfoy]]'s wand wood of hawthorn matches his date of birth in the Celtic tree calendar as well.
*Wand wood bearing trees are often protected by [[bowtruckle]]s and protective curses cast by their owners.<ref>The Tales of Beedle the Bard pg 85</ref>
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*Wand wood bearing trees are often protected by [[bowtruckle]]s and protective curses cast by their owners.<ref>''[[The Tales of Beedle the Bard (real)|The Tales of Beedle the Bard]]'', pg 85</ref>
*Many superstitions have arisen around wands, based on the woods used. Certain wands are supposedly incompatible ''"When his wand's oak and hers is holly, then to marry would be folly."'' It also can denote flaws in the owner's character ''"Rowan gossips, chestnut drones, ash is stubborn, hazel moans"''. Among these sayings is also ''"wand of elder, never prosper"''.<ref>Tales of beedle the bard pg 100-01</ref>
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*Many superstitions have arisen around wands, based on the woods used. Certain wands are supposedly incompatible ''"When his wand's oak and hers is holly, then to marry would be folly."'' It also can denote flaws in the owner's character ''"Rowan gossips, chestnut drones, ash is stubborn, hazel moans"''. Among these sayings is also ''"wand of elder, never prosper"''.<ref>''[[The Tales of Beedle the Bard (real)|The Tales of Beedle the Bard]]'', pg 100-01</ref>
  +
*It is unclear if magical variants of trees used as wand woods, such as the [[Wiggentree]] and the [[Whomping Willow]], can be used as wand wood, or if such wands would have additional properties.
   
 
==See also==
 
==See also==

Revision as of 13:47, 8 July 2014

Wands

Various wands of different woods.

Various different types of wood are used in the construction of wands. They are also embedded with a core of a magical substance. Wands vary according to length, from at least 5" to 16", as well as rigidity, ranging from "springy"[1] to "unyielding"[2].

Known wand woods

Wand wood Known wands constructed of this wood Notes
Acacia
  • Mentioned only (Pottermore)
Alder Corresponds to one of the months of the Celtic calendar, from 18 March to 14 April
Apple
Ash Corresponds to one of the months of the Celtic calendar, from 18 February to 17 March[3].
Aspen
Beech
Birch
  • Though Garrick Ollivander himself did not use it, his associate in the Hogsmeade branch was known to sell wands made from birch.
Blackthorn
Black Walnut
Cedar
Cherry (tree)

Both Mary's and Neville's wand has the same wand wood and core.

Chestnut (tree)
Cypress
Dogwood
Ebony
Elder Corresponds to one of the months of the Celtic calendar, from 25 November to 23 December[3].
Elm The wand is also part of his walking stick, in 1993 while leaving his meeting with Dumbledore he pulls it out of his stick.
Fir
Hawthorn Corresponds to one of the months of the Celtic calendar, from 13 May to 9 June. There is also an old popular superstition in Great Britain and Ireland that ill-luck attended the uprooting of hawthorns.[5][3].
Hazel Corresponds to one of the months of the Celtic calendar, from 5 August to 1 September
Holly Corresponds to one of the months of the Celtic calendar, from 8 July to 4 August[3].
Hornbeam
Ivy
  • Though Garrick Ollivander himself did not use it, his associate in the Hogsmeade branch was known to sell wands made from ivy.
Larch
Laurel
Mahogany
Maple
Oak
  • Corresponds to one of the months of the Celtic calendar, from 10 June to 7 July[3].
  • According to Pottermore, both English oak and Red oak can be used as wand wood.
  • Merlin's wand is rumoured to be English oak
Pear
Pine
Poplar
Redwood
Reed
  • Though Garrick Ollivander himself did not use it, his associate in the Hogsmeade branch was known to sell wands made from reed.
Rosewood
Rowan Corresponds to one of the months of the Celtic calendar, from 21 January to 17 February
Silver lime

According to Pottermore silver lime is an incredibly unusual and attractive wood that works best for Seers and those skilled at Legilimency. It was greatly in vogue in the nineteenth century when the demand outstripped supply, causing some wandmakers to dye other wood in effort to fool purchasers into believing they had purchased a silver lime wand.

Spruce
Sycamore
Vine Corresponds to one of the months of the Celtic calendar, from 2 September to 29 September[3].
Walnut
  • Walnut is associated with some old European superstitions. In seventeenth-century Italy, a walnut tree in Benevento was believed to be a gathering place for witches.
  • According to Pottermore, both Walnut and Black Walnut may be used for wand wood.
Willow Corresponds to one of the months of the Celtic calendar, from 15 April to 12 May[3].
Yew Further information: Yew

[6]

Author's comments

J. K. Rowling has explained her choice of wand woods for Harry Potter and Lord Voldemort:

"It was not an arbitrary decision: holly has certain connotations that were perfect for Harry, particularly when contrasted with the traditional associations of yew, from which Voldemort’s wand is made. European tradition has it that the holly tree (the name comes from ‘holy’) repels evil, while yew, which can achieve astonishing longevity (there are British yew trees over two thousand years old), can symbolise both death and resurrection; the sap is also poisonous."[7]

Rowling has also revealed that she discovered that Harry's wand wood corresponded to his date of birth in the Celtic tree calendar afterwards, and decided to use the calendar to assign the wand woods of Ron Weasley and Hermione Granger as a "hidden connection" between the three[7].

Behind the scenes

  • Although J. K. Rowling has said that she only used the Celtic assignations for Harry, Ron and Hermione,[7] Draco Malfoy's wand wood of hawthorn matches his date of birth in the Celtic tree calendar as well.
  • Wand wood bearing trees are often protected by bowtruckles and protective curses cast by their owners.[8]
  • Many superstitions have arisen around wands, based on the woods used. Certain wands are supposedly incompatible "When his wand's oak and hers is holly, then to marry would be folly." It also can denote flaws in the owner's character "Rowan gossips, chestnut drones, ash is stubborn, hazel moans". Among these sayings is also "wand of elder, never prosper".[9]
  • It is unclear if magical variants of trees used as wand woods, such as the Wiggentree and the Whomping Willow, can be used as wand wood, or if such wands would have additional properties.

See also

Appearances

Notes and references