You have Lily's eyes.
What do you think of when you read that in the Harry Potter books? Does your mind not immediately zoom to the thought of the color green? JKR has told us that this fact is important, but I will not be talking so much about the importance of Harry having green eyes. Voldemort has red eyes. Green and red. Life, and death. Opposites in nature, yet they balance one another.
Yet I find their placement interesting. Harry's eyes are green, Voldemort's red. Strange how the color often representing life is found in what we humans often call the windows to the soul. Stranger yet how the color representing blood, destruction, and death is found in the eyes of his greatest enemy. What I find the strangest though, is found in the graveyard in Little Hangleton.
Priori Incantatem.
Green against red. Life versus death. Green meets red. Yellow is created... But where, oh where do these colors come from?
Red from the green. Green from the red.
How is it that the one representing life uses the color of death to defend? How can it be that the one representing death uses the color of life to kill? Why is life the cause of death? Why death the cause of life?
Has it not been a theme in JKR's books that for every evil, there is a force of good to rise against it? As if the forces of good and evil are placed on a scale, one exceeding the other until balanced? What if this theme were applied to life and death?
Life causing death? Death causing life? This cannot be, or can it? If you place a weight on a scale, it will tip down to the side with the weight. If you place another of the same weight on the other side, will it not balance out?
What happens as it balances though?
They tip, back and forth, fighting forward. Apply this to life and death, and I think we have some vital information about horcruxes.
If one were to pour death onto the scale, would life not fight back to meet it? What if this is the same principle in creating a horcrux? Kill, so life will come back and save you from just that? Would it not make sense as to why the horcrux works?
If killing in hopes of life protecting itself for you would work in creation of a horcrux, what of using life in hopes of death springing forward? Silly me, I believe I can substitute the word life for another four letter word: love. Would it not make sense in this scenario, especially in line with the prophecy, that a flood of love or life could bring death to horcruxes? Or is it that the presence of life will allow the horcruxes to cause death as the diary did with Ginny?
I confess, this is the realm of speculation, and must be treated as such. Feel free to discuss the colors and their placement along with this theory.
Full Version: Symbolism in Harry Potter Books
You must forgive me, Bandoth, if, when I read your topic title, my mind immediately zoomed to a huge bald man saying something about pills... 
Ok, no kidding, I like your angle here. The life and death thing has fascinated me for some time - and the back and forth also struck me, though it was more of a inside out idea for me.
If I think of Harry and Dumbledore I think life, even though Dumbledore is gone. If I think Voldemort I see death and destruction - now isn't that strange?
Dumbeldore was never afraid to die - on the contrary, he saw it as a great adventure after life. And he died, Lily and James, who felt the same, died. Sirius died. Voldemort refuses to die - he cannot endure the idea - to him, life is everything. Yet, had it not been for some chance happening, Wormtail escaping in a most bizarre twist, he would still have been living like a half-soul, barely alive.
I wonder what Jo's viewpoint on life is - obviously it's not just about breathing and inhabiting the earth - look at Nearly Headless Nick - he can't be called alive. I know I've used this before, but this Donne poem (famous as it is) just sums up the challenging attitude Jo has towards Death:
Death be not proud, though some have called thee
Mighty and dreadfull, for, thou art not so,
For, those, whom thou think'st, thou dost overthrow,
Die not, poore death, nor yet canst thou kill me.
From rest and sleepe, which but thy pictures bee,
Much pleasure, then from thee, much more must flow,
And soonest our best men with thee doe goe,
Rest of their bones, and soules deliverie.
Thou art slave to Fate, Chance, kings, and desperate men,
And dost with poyson, warre, and sicknesse dwell,
And poppie, or charmes can make us sleepe as well,
And better then thy stroake; why swell'st thou then;
One short sleepe past, wee wake eternally,
And death shall be no more; death, thou shalt die.
I can't help but think of Dumbledore when I read this. The casual attitude towards Death, and the derogatory tone the poet assumes when addressing Death, reminds me very much of the way Dumbledore used to address Tom.
And Tennyson's wondeful line in Ullysses - 'As tho' to breathe were life!' That's exactly what Voldemort seems to think - why else would he resort to drinking Unicorn's blood?
Nearly Headless Nick has no blood, no breath, and he was the first person Harry talked to about Sirius. But if Nick is not alive in Donne's sense of the word, and Sirius is not where Nick is, Sirius is alive in a sense. Voldemort is scientifically 'alive' and yet he evokes the images of Donne's death entirely.
Anyway, back to the colour thing - Gryffindor/Slytherin? What is that? Dumbledore is a dragon-blood fundi, but Slytherins are all about pure-blood. And Dragon blood/flesh has a greenish tint, if I'm not mistaken... (Hagrid's Grawp wounds). (maybe I'm off track here)
Anyway, it seems as thought the question is whether it is red or green that really resembles life. Harry's eyes, or Voldemort's? Slytherin/Gryffindor? Nature/warm-blooded creatures? I find that blood is a prominent image. In all forms - wizarding parentage (Dumbedore's ignoring it, and Voldemort's obsession with it), Lily's love in Harry's veins, Dumbledore's expertise on the 'scientific' aspect of blood, and Voldemort's expertise on the murkier, more vague and dangerous aspects of it...
And maybe the answer lies with the Sorting Hat - which is, both. Life and death exist in green and red. Voldemort found death in both colours (Slytherin sickly green, the red eyes of destruction) - Harry must find life (Gryffindor's blood red, the green eyes of nature).
I'd be completely stunned if all this is a total green herring... Maybe red and green are Jo's favourite colours?
Ok, no kidding, I like your angle here. The life and death thing has fascinated me for some time - and the back and forth also struck me, though it was more of a inside out idea for me.
If I think of Harry and Dumbledore I think life, even though Dumbledore is gone. If I think Voldemort I see death and destruction - now isn't that strange?
Dumbeldore was never afraid to die - on the contrary, he saw it as a great adventure after life. And he died, Lily and James, who felt the same, died. Sirius died. Voldemort refuses to die - he cannot endure the idea - to him, life is everything. Yet, had it not been for some chance happening, Wormtail escaping in a most bizarre twist, he would still have been living like a half-soul, barely alive.
I wonder what Jo's viewpoint on life is - obviously it's not just about breathing and inhabiting the earth - look at Nearly Headless Nick - he can't be called alive. I know I've used this before, but this Donne poem (famous as it is) just sums up the challenging attitude Jo has towards Death:
Death be not proud, though some have called thee
Mighty and dreadfull, for, thou art not so,
For, those, whom thou think'st, thou dost overthrow,
Die not, poore death, nor yet canst thou kill me.
From rest and sleepe, which but thy pictures bee,
Much pleasure, then from thee, much more must flow,
And soonest our best men with thee doe goe,
Rest of their bones, and soules deliverie.
Thou art slave to Fate, Chance, kings, and desperate men,
And dost with poyson, warre, and sicknesse dwell,
And poppie, or charmes can make us sleepe as well,
And better then thy stroake; why swell'st thou then;
One short sleepe past, wee wake eternally,
And death shall be no more; death, thou shalt die.
I can't help but think of Dumbledore when I read this. The casual attitude towards Death, and the derogatory tone the poet assumes when addressing Death, reminds me very much of the way Dumbledore used to address Tom.
And Tennyson's wondeful line in Ullysses - 'As tho' to breathe were life!' That's exactly what Voldemort seems to think - why else would he resort to drinking Unicorn's blood?
Nearly Headless Nick has no blood, no breath, and he was the first person Harry talked to about Sirius. But if Nick is not alive in Donne's sense of the word, and Sirius is not where Nick is, Sirius is alive in a sense. Voldemort is scientifically 'alive' and yet he evokes the images of Donne's death entirely.
Anyway, back to the colour thing - Gryffindor/Slytherin? What is that? Dumbledore is a dragon-blood fundi, but Slytherins are all about pure-blood. And Dragon blood/flesh has a greenish tint, if I'm not mistaken... (Hagrid's Grawp wounds). (maybe I'm off track here)
Anyway, it seems as thought the question is whether it is red or green that really resembles life. Harry's eyes, or Voldemort's? Slytherin/Gryffindor? Nature/warm-blooded creatures? I find that blood is a prominent image. In all forms - wizarding parentage (Dumbedore's ignoring it, and Voldemort's obsession with it), Lily's love in Harry's veins, Dumbledore's expertise on the 'scientific' aspect of blood, and Voldemort's expertise on the murkier, more vague and dangerous aspects of it...
And maybe the answer lies with the Sorting Hat - which is, both. Life and death exist in green and red. Voldemort found death in both colours (Slytherin sickly green, the red eyes of destruction) - Harry must find life (Gryffindor's blood red, the green eyes of nature).
I'd be completely stunned if all this is a total green herring... Maybe red and green are Jo's favourite colours?
Ah, the fun of colors and their literary meaning! I'll try not to bore.
Red, in the history of literature (and even some political and historical instances) typically is connected with, not death, but with life, love, power, and the like. I'll explain a little bit on the red. . .
Red is the color of blood. . .which is the life-force of a body. Therefore, in reference to literary works; it is typically used to symbolize life. Also, red is the color of the Greek gods of war (Phoebus and Ares); which symbolise passion and power. Red was often worn as a garmet that indicated power (the Romans of the senate would sometimes wear red robes, as would some royalty later. . .). Red is often associated with love (which would be an anit-voldemort trait); in the red of the heart, the red of roses (which are used to symbolize love and fidelity
As far as some of the negative connotations of red go; "red affairs" were evil doings, and "making red" was the used as a term for killing.
The Phoenix, it so happens, which is red. . .embodies both the positive and the negative aspects of the color red. Phoenix unifies the destructive symbol of fire associated with war and hate with its rebirth and its life-giving powers. Phoenix surrenders to fire and steps out of it cleansed and endowed with a new life.
In summary of red: It is true that red is a color used to symbolize a few negatives (such as war and hatred), but it is not associate with death (although it is with destruction). It is more often used to symbolize power, passion, love, and life.
I'm editing this in just for the fun of it: The alchemy of red. . . Red was thought to be the alchemical color of all colors. Vermillion(mercuric sulfide) and mercury were thought to be preliminary stages to the Philosopher's Stone (you see the significance of this, I know you do!) The completion of this Opus Magnus, the creation of the Philosophr's Stone, was signalled by the reddening of the mixture ("rubedo"). This being the reason for naming the Philosopher Stone "Red Lion" or "Great Red Water".
As for the pigment of Red. . .I'm just going to focus on Vermilion as that's a pretty consistent red (unless we know exactly what pigment Voldemort's eyes are: if you can tell me that, I can perhaps give a little more detail). Vermilion is very permanent (same might be said for Voldemort. . .unfortunately). It is also very toxic, which is the reason th Vermilion pigment isn't used today. Also, same could be said of Voldemort.
Also about red: Studies show that red can have a physical effect, increasing the rate of respiration and raising blood pressure. Definately see the similarities between the color and Voldemort here, huh? Also as a parallel to Voldemort; red is not often considered an ideal color to pair other colors with (with exceptions of green. . .now there's an interesting comparison with Harry and Voldemort's eyes, isn't there). . .and we know Voldemort doesn't generally mesh well with people.
Voldemort's color may very well be red, you know. . .though it does not symbolize death (black and white (though white more symbolizes eternity)). Voldemort is definately a passionate character, as he is passionate about controling the world and acheiving immortality (which he believes he has already done. . therefore death isn't as much of a concern to him as it should be). His lack of love is interesting when you compare it to the color of red in his eyes. Perhaps this is a key of some sort? Also, his absolut power is well signified by red: He is extremely powerful and only continues to become moreso.
On to green:
Green is the color of life, plants, and often is used as the symbolic dominance
of spring over winter. Green is often seen as the color of revitalization, rejuvination, and life. Funnily enough, green can also have a negative connotation. It means young, niave, and inexperienced. When talking about horses. . .we refer to a horse who is only just ridable by an expert horseman as "green-broke." In literary study; it's used to represent both. . .life and also inexperience. I can see in many ways how Harry can be seen as "green."
Since Lily's, and therefore Harry's, eyes were emerald green. . .we'll jump to that color to see what significance the shade could have: Here we can go into the study of how the pigment is created and how it reacts to see if it has any literary significance.
Emerald green is also called Schweinfurt green as it was developed in Schwienfurt, Germany in 1812 by the firm of Wilhelm Sattler.
Schweinfurt green had brilliance unlike any other copper green. Field considered it a more durable pigment than Scheele's green but it had the same tendency to blacken on exposure to sulfur-bearing air. Romanesque murals are known to contain the natural mineral emerald green and have held the color well. The old Masters, who used verdigris and copper greens due to a lack of more durable options, isolated the pigments in between coats of varnish that helped to alleviate changes. Schweinfurt green was also made more stable in a varnish medium. It could not be mixed with sulfur-containing colors, such as cadmium yellow, vermilion or ultramarine blue because they acted chemically on it to produce a deep brown color. Field considered its use to be limited as it was not a green that occurred in nature. The arsenic content made it extremely poisonous and it was blamed for deaths when employed as a wallpaper color.
So. . .looking here at Lily and Harry's significance with emerald green eyes. We can see that Harry is more durable-how many times has he survived Voldemort? (Lily, however. . .was not as durable it would seem). Blacken on exposure to sulfur bearing air is an interesting idea. . .does Harry's heart blacken a little each time he is exposed to Voldemort or the Death Eaters? It could be argued so. . .his hatred and bitterness grow the more they do to him. The pigment holds its color well-so this could mean that Harry will remain morally unchanged; holds to his principles and to his character despite what he endures. It doesn't react well to mixing. . .Another plus for Harry. That would make me think he would not be taken in by Voldemort's lies; or by his own hatred. It's not a green that's natrually found in nature. . .now that's interesting too. That could, unfortunately, point to Harry's demise. And it is extremely posionous. . .which we certainly hope to be the case for Voldemort; thus fulfilling the prophecy.
Have I talked on too long about symbolic colors? Probably. However. . .I can still talk.
I won't though, because I've apparently written a book. Sigh. . .sorry it's so long.
EDIT: I could go on forever, couldn't I? Best not to answer that.
Red, in the history of literature (and even some political and historical instances) typically is connected with, not death, but with life, love, power, and the like. I'll explain a little bit on the red. . .
Red is the color of blood. . .which is the life-force of a body. Therefore, in reference to literary works; it is typically used to symbolize life. Also, red is the color of the Greek gods of war (Phoebus and Ares); which symbolise passion and power. Red was often worn as a garmet that indicated power (the Romans of the senate would sometimes wear red robes, as would some royalty later. . .). Red is often associated with love (which would be an anit-voldemort trait); in the red of the heart, the red of roses (which are used to symbolize love and fidelity
As far as some of the negative connotations of red go; "red affairs" were evil doings, and "making red" was the used as a term for killing.
The Phoenix, it so happens, which is red. . .embodies both the positive and the negative aspects of the color red. Phoenix unifies the destructive symbol of fire associated with war and hate with its rebirth and its life-giving powers. Phoenix surrenders to fire and steps out of it cleansed and endowed with a new life.
In summary of red: It is true that red is a color used to symbolize a few negatives (such as war and hatred), but it is not associate with death (although it is with destruction). It is more often used to symbolize power, passion, love, and life.
I'm editing this in just for the fun of it: The alchemy of red. . . Red was thought to be the alchemical color of all colors. Vermillion(mercuric sulfide) and mercury were thought to be preliminary stages to the Philosopher's Stone (you see the significance of this, I know you do!) The completion of this Opus Magnus, the creation of the Philosophr's Stone, was signalled by the reddening of the mixture ("rubedo"). This being the reason for naming the Philosopher Stone "Red Lion" or "Great Red Water".
As for the pigment of Red. . .I'm just going to focus on Vermilion as that's a pretty consistent red (unless we know exactly what pigment Voldemort's eyes are: if you can tell me that, I can perhaps give a little more detail). Vermilion is very permanent (same might be said for Voldemort. . .unfortunately). It is also very toxic, which is the reason th Vermilion pigment isn't used today. Also, same could be said of Voldemort.
Also about red: Studies show that red can have a physical effect, increasing the rate of respiration and raising blood pressure. Definately see the similarities between the color and Voldemort here, huh? Also as a parallel to Voldemort; red is not often considered an ideal color to pair other colors with (with exceptions of green. . .now there's an interesting comparison with Harry and Voldemort's eyes, isn't there). . .and we know Voldemort doesn't generally mesh well with people.
Voldemort's color may very well be red, you know. . .though it does not symbolize death (black and white (though white more symbolizes eternity)). Voldemort is definately a passionate character, as he is passionate about controling the world and acheiving immortality (which he believes he has already done. . therefore death isn't as much of a concern to him as it should be). His lack of love is interesting when you compare it to the color of red in his eyes. Perhaps this is a key of some sort? Also, his absolut power is well signified by red: He is extremely powerful and only continues to become moreso.
On to green:
Green is the color of life, plants, and often is used as the symbolic dominance
of spring over winter. Green is often seen as the color of revitalization, rejuvination, and life. Funnily enough, green can also have a negative connotation. It means young, niave, and inexperienced. When talking about horses. . .we refer to a horse who is only just ridable by an expert horseman as "green-broke." In literary study; it's used to represent both. . .life and also inexperience. I can see in many ways how Harry can be seen as "green."
Since Lily's, and therefore Harry's, eyes were emerald green. . .we'll jump to that color to see what significance the shade could have: Here we can go into the study of how the pigment is created and how it reacts to see if it has any literary significance.
Emerald green is also called Schweinfurt green as it was developed in Schwienfurt, Germany in 1812 by the firm of Wilhelm Sattler.
Schweinfurt green had brilliance unlike any other copper green. Field considered it a more durable pigment than Scheele's green but it had the same tendency to blacken on exposure to sulfur-bearing air. Romanesque murals are known to contain the natural mineral emerald green and have held the color well. The old Masters, who used verdigris and copper greens due to a lack of more durable options, isolated the pigments in between coats of varnish that helped to alleviate changes. Schweinfurt green was also made more stable in a varnish medium. It could not be mixed with sulfur-containing colors, such as cadmium yellow, vermilion or ultramarine blue because they acted chemically on it to produce a deep brown color. Field considered its use to be limited as it was not a green that occurred in nature. The arsenic content made it extremely poisonous and it was blamed for deaths when employed as a wallpaper color.
So. . .looking here at Lily and Harry's significance with emerald green eyes. We can see that Harry is more durable-how many times has he survived Voldemort? (Lily, however. . .was not as durable it would seem). Blacken on exposure to sulfur bearing air is an interesting idea. . .does Harry's heart blacken a little each time he is exposed to Voldemort or the Death Eaters? It could be argued so. . .his hatred and bitterness grow the more they do to him. The pigment holds its color well-so this could mean that Harry will remain morally unchanged; holds to his principles and to his character despite what he endures. It doesn't react well to mixing. . .Another plus for Harry. That would make me think he would not be taken in by Voldemort's lies; or by his own hatred. It's not a green that's natrually found in nature. . .now that's interesting too. That could, unfortunately, point to Harry's demise. And it is extremely posionous. . .which we certainly hope to be the case for Voldemort; thus fulfilling the prophecy.
Have I talked on too long about symbolic colors? Probably. However. . .I can still talk.
I won't though, because I've apparently written a book. Sigh. . .sorry it's so long.EDIT: I could go on forever, couldn't I? Best not to answer that.
The air is filled with the sound of the cracking of mental knuckles. Well, let us see what we can do here.
As passerby has pointed out, both red and green represent death and life, preservation and destruction. Could it be, then, that it is Harry that represents "life" and Voldemort that represents "death?"
Harry has the red of Gryffindor, the green of his eyes, and the red of his stunner. Voldemort has the green of Slytherin, the red of his eyes, and the green of Avada Kadavra. Note too the parallels of items here. The house and spells are the same color, but the eyes are the opposite. It is the eyes here that are key. What does this link symbolize? Could it be that this foreign color is the part of the other in themselves, but changed? Let me be clearer here.
Harry represents life. Harry is fighting on the behalf of life, to preserve life in others. This is the red in Harry. Red here represents the good of red, blood.
Voldemort, on the other hand, represents death. Death, the ultimate source of destruction, is what Voldemort is fighting to bring about in others. That is, no matter what he may say, his ultimate goal. This is the green in Voldemort. Green here represents the bad of green, poison.
Of course, Harry has green in him, his eyes. Harry's green eyes mirror the green of his foe, and symbolize the link he has with Voldemort within himself. However, within Harry, the meaning of green changes. Green, here, becomes life, the natural, and the good.
Likewise, Voldemort has Harry's red within himself, in his eyes. This red also reflects back on the link between foes, and demonstrates that Voldemort has some of Harry within him, linking Voldemort with Harry just as Harry is linked with Voldemort. However, the red becomes changed in Voldemort. The red now becomes the red of murder, the red of fire, the red of destruction and death.
In truth, it is both Harry and Voldemort's desire to preserve life. However, the difference comes in who they desire to preserve it in. Voldemort desires to preserve life within himself, and disregards the death of others. Harry, on the other hand, desires to preserve the life of others, and disregards death within himself. They have the same goal, but Voldemort looks inward, where as Harry looks outward.
-fish
As passerby has pointed out, both red and green represent death and life, preservation and destruction. Could it be, then, that it is Harry that represents "life" and Voldemort that represents "death?"
Harry has the red of Gryffindor, the green of his eyes, and the red of his stunner. Voldemort has the green of Slytherin, the red of his eyes, and the green of Avada Kadavra. Note too the parallels of items here. The house and spells are the same color, but the eyes are the opposite. It is the eyes here that are key. What does this link symbolize? Could it be that this foreign color is the part of the other in themselves, but changed? Let me be clearer here.
Harry represents life. Harry is fighting on the behalf of life, to preserve life in others. This is the red in Harry. Red here represents the good of red, blood.
Voldemort, on the other hand, represents death. Death, the ultimate source of destruction, is what Voldemort is fighting to bring about in others. That is, no matter what he may say, his ultimate goal. This is the green in Voldemort. Green here represents the bad of green, poison.
Of course, Harry has green in him, his eyes. Harry's green eyes mirror the green of his foe, and symbolize the link he has with Voldemort within himself. However, within Harry, the meaning of green changes. Green, here, becomes life, the natural, and the good.
Likewise, Voldemort has Harry's red within himself, in his eyes. This red also reflects back on the link between foes, and demonstrates that Voldemort has some of Harry within him, linking Voldemort with Harry just as Harry is linked with Voldemort. However, the red becomes changed in Voldemort. The red now becomes the red of murder, the red of fire, the red of destruction and death.
In truth, it is both Harry and Voldemort's desire to preserve life. However, the difference comes in who they desire to preserve it in. Voldemort desires to preserve life within himself, and disregards the death of others. Harry, on the other hand, desires to preserve the life of others, and disregards death within himself. They have the same goal, but Voldemort looks inward, where as Harry looks outward.
-fish
Very interesting topic.
In reading passerby's comments I thought:
One must embrace life to embrace death. DD, the Potters, Sirius etc understand this. They are not affraid of life, fight for it, but are not affraid of death either. LV does not. He is affraid of death therefore does not live. He spends every moment fighting death. He does not have much of a life for fear of death.
Fish's comments seemed to come back to the orrigional post. It all balances out: life and death. Harry and LV have equal amounts of each color. LV Green/Red/Green, Harry Red/Green/Red. Both colors have good and bad. (although I don't know if I can say both people have good and bad, yet). It just depends on how they are used.
Nothing truly profound. Just thought you all have inspired.
In reading passerby's comments I thought:
One must embrace life to embrace death. DD, the Potters, Sirius etc understand this. They are not affraid of life, fight for it, but are not affraid of death either. LV does not. He is affraid of death therefore does not live. He spends every moment fighting death. He does not have much of a life for fear of death.
Fish's comments seemed to come back to the orrigional post. It all balances out: life and death. Harry and LV have equal amounts of each color. LV Green/Red/Green, Harry Red/Green/Red. Both colors have good and bad. (although I don't know if I can say both people have good and bad, yet). It just depends on how they are used.
Nothing truly profound. Just thought you all have inspired.
I'm really taken by the significance of Tom Riddle's green eyes having been replaced by the red, violent eyes of LV. Tom used to have something that Harry has very significantly still, and in common with Harry's mother. I cannot help but think this is a metaphor for the blood issue--for the gleam of triumph in DD's eyes at whatever it meant for LV to take back into himself the blood of Harry and Lily.
What do we make of Harry's similarity to the not-yet-transformed green-eyed Tom Riddle?
What do we make of Harry's similarity to the not-yet-transformed green-eyed Tom Riddle?
Maybe JK just really likes Christmas
Seriously though, red and green are opposites and cannot be blended together into another color. Blue and orange or yellow and purple are the same way -- direct conflict with each other. But unlike black and white which are clearly defined, there are degrees and shades of red and green. A pale, luminous green that means poison or a rich, leafy green that means life and growth. A deep, dark red that signifies loss of blood and life or the delicate blush of rose in a young girl's cheek.
Just as there are degrees in the colors, there are degrees to the goodness and evil of the characters. Voldemort tends to be in the extremes colorwise -- dark blood-red, luminous poison green -- just as he is on the extreme end of evil. Harry is in the middle of goodness -- leafy green, bright rosy red -- essentially good, but not exactly a saint either.
Life and death are found in both colors -- but it is the shade that determines what that color stands for. Blood-red deepens to black (death) as poison green lightens to pallor (also death -- think of the Inferi). Leafy green and rosy red grow deeper and brighter -- infused with life.
Harry = life ~ Voldy = death, sounds about right to me. I hope that's how book 7 ends.
Seriously though, red and green are opposites and cannot be blended together into another color. Blue and orange or yellow and purple are the same way -- direct conflict with each other. But unlike black and white which are clearly defined, there are degrees and shades of red and green. A pale, luminous green that means poison or a rich, leafy green that means life and growth. A deep, dark red that signifies loss of blood and life or the delicate blush of rose in a young girl's cheek.
Just as there are degrees in the colors, there are degrees to the goodness and evil of the characters. Voldemort tends to be in the extremes colorwise -- dark blood-red, luminous poison green -- just as he is on the extreme end of evil. Harry is in the middle of goodness -- leafy green, bright rosy red -- essentially good, but not exactly a saint either.
Life and death are found in both colors -- but it is the shade that determines what that color stands for. Blood-red deepens to black (death) as poison green lightens to pallor (also death -- think of the Inferi). Leafy green and rosy red grow deeper and brighter -- infused with life.
Harry = life ~ Voldy = death, sounds about right to me. I hope that's how book 7 ends.
Like pumpkinjuice, I am intrigued that Tom's eye color changed from green to red, and the significance that it has. When Tom still had his original eye color, he had the same color eyes that Harry and Lily have; green. While green can symbolize life (i.e. growth, youth), it also symbolizes death (i.e. poison). Coincidentally, green is the color of the Killing Curse. Lily, who had green eyes, was murdered with the Killing Curse. Tom, who had red eyes, survived the Killing Curse. Green eyes = death and red eyes = life.
If this is true, then Harry's fate seems grim. Since Voldemort has red eyes, he won't be killed; since Harry has green eyes, he will die. A very unsettling notion.
~Bella
If this is true, then Harry's fate seems grim. Since Voldemort has red eyes, he won't be killed; since Harry has green eyes, he will die. A very unsettling notion.
~Bella
Everyone has amazing ideas on these two colours. I've always believed that JKR has been playing with hidden meanings. For example, Sibylla was the name of a famous greek prophet, just like Trelloni. Remus in history, was one of the kids that was fed by a wolf since he had been abandoned by his mother at a very young age. Voldemort means the flying of death, and so many others. She must have conducted a search before writing her books in order to add some historical and mythological elements in them as well.
When it comes to green and red, it is amazing how these two colours find themselves in conflict and in connection. Harry has green eyes, but Gryffindor is red. Slytherin is green, but Voldemort has red eyes. I wonder why she didn't give Gryffindor the colour green. Green has always been considered as a gentle colour that relaxes the brain and the eyes. Red on the other hand, puts the brain in an alarm condition, being associated with stop, danger etc. I guess she wanted to show that Gryffindor was a strong dorm and Slytherin was more...devious.
JKR "plays" a lot with the opposites. For example, Voldemort didn't want death but there was very little life in the way he was living. Dumbledore on the other hand, was brave and accepted his fate without wasting a single moment from his life. Dumbledore lived gloriously and died the same way, Voldemort lived miserably and so he died.
I think that what JKR wanted to achieve was to demonstrate the opposite powers and characters. By presenting fully the opposite ideas of life and death, of love and hate, she created two heroes who had picked a side. It wasn't really a fight between Harry and Voldemort. It was fight between good and evil represented by Dumbledore and Voldemort.
It is amazing how the green in Harry's eyes was the sole thing that kept Snape in life, as if green was the colour of love, survival and hope. The red on Voldemort's eyes was the colour of hate, his gaze was one to avoid, whereas Harry's gaze has always been soothing.
I know this analysis can not be compared to everyone else's but I wanted to add my little thing here as well! Hopefully, we'll be able to discuss this more!
When it comes to green and red, it is amazing how these two colours find themselves in conflict and in connection. Harry has green eyes, but Gryffindor is red. Slytherin is green, but Voldemort has red eyes. I wonder why she didn't give Gryffindor the colour green. Green has always been considered as a gentle colour that relaxes the brain and the eyes. Red on the other hand, puts the brain in an alarm condition, being associated with stop, danger etc. I guess she wanted to show that Gryffindor was a strong dorm and Slytherin was more...devious.
JKR "plays" a lot with the opposites. For example, Voldemort didn't want death but there was very little life in the way he was living. Dumbledore on the other hand, was brave and accepted his fate without wasting a single moment from his life. Dumbledore lived gloriously and died the same way, Voldemort lived miserably and so he died.
I think that what JKR wanted to achieve was to demonstrate the opposite powers and characters. By presenting fully the opposite ideas of life and death, of love and hate, she created two heroes who had picked a side. It wasn't really a fight between Harry and Voldemort. It was fight between good and evil represented by Dumbledore and Voldemort.
It is amazing how the green in Harry's eyes was the sole thing that kept Snape in life, as if green was the colour of love, survival and hope. The red on Voldemort's eyes was the colour of hate, his gaze was one to avoid, whereas Harry's gaze has always been soothing.
I know this analysis can not be compared to everyone else's but I wanted to add my little thing here as well! Hopefully, we'll be able to discuss this more!
How is it that the one representing life uses the color of death to defend? How can it be that the one representing death uses the color of life to kill? Why is life the cause of death? Why death the cause of life?
Well alkisti This is a question i ask myself a lot. How does this happen? Well i got to say mostly i agree with Fish but i will like to present my theory as it has some difference
I believe that the red of Harry's spell represents the real him. The Brave Gryffindor. The steady lion. That and the house color represents the chosen one. Harry represents Life. The red represents life. It represents all the hopes and all the wishes of the wizarding world of ever being free from the dark days
Voldermort's Green in spells and house color as Fish said represents poison. It represents all he wishes for.. It represents the world of Tom Riddle which centers around him and him only. It represents his journey to immortality..The Horcruxes and the mass destruction for which the cause is him and him only.
Harry's Green in eye color on the other hand...well i have a simple explanation for that. The reason JKR doesn't emphasize on that is the fact that it is a simple case of Biology or of Eye color genes. Harry inherited it from his mother.. Those who had studied the laws of inheritance will understand that and others can also with a little thinking.
Voldermort's red color but doesn't stand for his eye color genes. That happened to his eye because of the evilness. Voldermort crossed the boundaries of all evil and that, i suppose is why His eye color is red. It represents the flame that burns inside him.
Thats what i think. But i doubt the theory myself at some places.
I also support Prodfoot's theory
Well alkisti This is a question i ask myself a lot. How does this happen? Well i got to say mostly i agree with Fish but i will like to present my theory as it has some difference
I believe that the red of Harry's spell represents the real him. The Brave Gryffindor. The steady lion. That and the house color represents the chosen one. Harry represents Life. The red represents life. It represents all the hopes and all the wishes of the wizarding world of ever being free from the dark days
Voldermort's Green in spells and house color as Fish said represents poison. It represents all he wishes for.. It represents the world of Tom Riddle which centers around him and him only. It represents his journey to immortality..The Horcruxes and the mass destruction for which the cause is him and him only.
Harry's Green in eye color on the other hand...well i have a simple explanation for that. The reason JKR doesn't emphasize on that is the fact that it is a simple case of Biology or of Eye color genes. Harry inherited it from his mother.. Those who had studied the laws of inheritance will understand that and others can also with a little thinking.
Voldermort's red color but doesn't stand for his eye color genes. That happened to his eye because of the evilness. Voldermort crossed the boundaries of all evil and that, i suppose is why His eye color is red. It represents the flame that burns inside him.
Thats what i think. But i doubt the theory myself at some places.
I also support Prodfoot's theory
Well, this is a topic which I've always thought about. And I always wondered whether it was a place to discuss it here, and it turned out to be that it was!
The theories I read above are very wise and ... well, I'm amazed of all the work you took to make them!
Thinks this way, I have not much to say but I think that by the parallell created in LV Green/Red/Green, Harry Red/Green/Red, JK has strenghtened the bond between life and death. Death can't be without life. Life, in certain way, can't be without death. It's a nature call. If there wasn't death, life would be impossible. Bothe are connected. Voldemort was afraid of death. If he wouldn't die, Harry wouldn't live. If Harry wouldn't die, Voldemort wouldn't live. They did, though, Harry and Voldemort lived together. But none could live while the other is still alive. At the end, one of them had to die.
So, I'm going off topic, but the thing is that Life and Death are connected.
Why green and red? I think that is because of that both colours have hidden meanings, both have dark sides and good sides. As Sirius said, evrybody has light and darkness inside.
Stunning spell, green. Avada Kedavra, red. Harry's eyes, green. Voldemort's eyes, red. Gryffindor, red. Slytherin, green. Dragon ... red and green. That brings me to wandlore's topic. What about trees? Trees are life, are full of life. Life is green, is the sap (is that the word?) that run though their veins. But trees are brown. Brown is represented by red. In the feng-shui, for example, wooden is red, despite it's brown. So, wands themsleves enclose both life and death inside them. Wands can give you death, but can't give you life. Wands can raise your life but can't raise your death.
Ok, that's all I could say about this topic. You've done it much more than well.
The theories I read above are very wise and ... well, I'm amazed of all the work you took to make them!
Thinks this way, I have not much to say but I think that by the parallell created in LV Green/Red/Green, Harry Red/Green/Red, JK has strenghtened the bond between life and death. Death can't be without life. Life, in certain way, can't be without death. It's a nature call. If there wasn't death, life would be impossible. Bothe are connected. Voldemort was afraid of death. If he wouldn't die, Harry wouldn't live. If Harry wouldn't die, Voldemort wouldn't live. They did, though, Harry and Voldemort lived together. But none could live while the other is still alive. At the end, one of them had to die.
So, I'm going off topic, but the thing is that Life and Death are connected.
Why green and red? I think that is because of that both colours have hidden meanings, both have dark sides and good sides. As Sirius said, evrybody has light and darkness inside.
Stunning spell, green. Avada Kedavra, red. Harry's eyes, green. Voldemort's eyes, red. Gryffindor, red. Slytherin, green. Dragon ... red and green. That brings me to wandlore's topic. What about trees? Trees are life, are full of life. Life is green, is the sap (is that the word?) that run though their veins. But trees are brown. Brown is represented by red. In the feng-shui, for example, wooden is red, despite it's brown. So, wands themsleves enclose both life and death inside them. Wands can give you death, but can't give you life. Wands can raise your life but can't raise your death.
Ok, that's all I could say about this topic. You've done it much more than well.
I love everyone's theories on this, it was something I thought about a while ago actually and came up with a theory that hasn't been mentioned here.
At the end of Deathly Hallows we find out that Harry is the true master of death. Throughout the books, and his life, he has had to deal with death, deaths of loved ones, deaths of innocents and ultimately either his or Voldemort’s death as 'Neither can live while the other survives'.
I think because death is such a big part of his character, it has made him stronger in a way, this is why JKR chose to make his eyes green. (Of course Lily's were green too, but JKR chose them too, maybe because she liked the colour or perhaps because it meant that she could show death in Harry through them.) As the true master of death Harry has managed to accept death and ultimately over come death. He has mastered it and it doesn't faze him.
JKR has said before that the difference between Harry and Voldemort is that Harry can accept mortality and death, making him stronger than Voldemort.
Perhaps the green in his eyes show that he has accepted such a fate, he has overcome and mastered death and has willingly accepted it into his life. Perhaps because he has accepted it, he has green eyes to show that he has mastered it.
Voldemort however rejects and refuses death. The Red of his eyes could symbolise this. He pushes death away, trying to find a route to immortality in any way possible. He doesn't accept death, he pushes it away. The red could symbolise the rejection of death, of green.
As for the spells, Avada Kedavra, the killing curse, is green. Perhaps Harry's eyes are green because of his mastery of death, because he can accept it. And as we know the killing curse didn't affect him because of his mother’s blood. Perhaps it also didn't affect him because he could accept death, and so could his mother. She accepted death to protect her child (her acceptance therefore could factor into her green eyes too) and as Harry can harness death, and accept it will happen one day, the curse couldn't harm him. The green in his eyes then would reflect the curse, reflect that it kills but Harry accepts this, he stood up to death and he faced it, bravely.
Expeliarmus is the defensive spell. It forces things away. Just like Voldemort forces death away from him. Perhaps his weakness, his longing to survive and repel death reflects the repelling nature of the curse, this being why his eyes are red like the spell.
Avada Kedavra as well all know is the curse of death, Harry accepts death and this could be a reason for why his eyes are green, as I mentioned before.
But with Expeliarmus, it is a defensive spell. It can be used to preserve one’s life. Whereas Harry embraces death almost (accounting for his green eyes) Voldemort not only embraces, but clings to life, unwilling to let death come to him. As Expeliarmus is similar, a defence to preserve life this could be another reason why Voldemort’s eyes are red. Because he embraces life just like the spell does.
As for the symbolic nature of just the colours, Red symbolises blood. We all know that Voldemort has a bloodlust, he loves to kill, often getting joy from it. Perhaps his bloodlust is reflected in colour of his eyes.
Green represents nature and life. Harry is the master of death and therefore could also be called the master of life as he has overcome death. Therefore this mastery of life as well being reflected in his eyes.
However, this now presents us with two different ways of seeing the colours. Red as both life and death. Green as both life and death. Perhaps then this goes back to the ‘Neither can live while the other survives.’ If they are both life and death, then only one needs to exist. Perhaps the two colours represent the similarities, and the differences in the two characters.
Kelly
x
At the end of Deathly Hallows we find out that Harry is the true master of death. Throughout the books, and his life, he has had to deal with death, deaths of loved ones, deaths of innocents and ultimately either his or Voldemort’s death as 'Neither can live while the other survives'.
I think because death is such a big part of his character, it has made him stronger in a way, this is why JKR chose to make his eyes green. (Of course Lily's were green too, but JKR chose them too, maybe because she liked the colour or perhaps because it meant that she could show death in Harry through them.) As the true master of death Harry has managed to accept death and ultimately over come death. He has mastered it and it doesn't faze him.
JKR has said before that the difference between Harry and Voldemort is that Harry can accept mortality and death, making him stronger than Voldemort.
Perhaps the green in his eyes show that he has accepted such a fate, he has overcome and mastered death and has willingly accepted it into his life. Perhaps because he has accepted it, he has green eyes to show that he has mastered it.
Voldemort however rejects and refuses death. The Red of his eyes could symbolise this. He pushes death away, trying to find a route to immortality in any way possible. He doesn't accept death, he pushes it away. The red could symbolise the rejection of death, of green.
As for the spells, Avada Kedavra, the killing curse, is green. Perhaps Harry's eyes are green because of his mastery of death, because he can accept it. And as we know the killing curse didn't affect him because of his mother’s blood. Perhaps it also didn't affect him because he could accept death, and so could his mother. She accepted death to protect her child (her acceptance therefore could factor into her green eyes too) and as Harry can harness death, and accept it will happen one day, the curse couldn't harm him. The green in his eyes then would reflect the curse, reflect that it kills but Harry accepts this, he stood up to death and he faced it, bravely.
Expeliarmus is the defensive spell. It forces things away. Just like Voldemort forces death away from him. Perhaps his weakness, his longing to survive and repel death reflects the repelling nature of the curse, this being why his eyes are red like the spell.
Avada Kedavra as well all know is the curse of death, Harry accepts death and this could be a reason for why his eyes are green, as I mentioned before.
But with Expeliarmus, it is a defensive spell. It can be used to preserve one’s life. Whereas Harry embraces death almost (accounting for his green eyes) Voldemort not only embraces, but clings to life, unwilling to let death come to him. As Expeliarmus is similar, a defence to preserve life this could be another reason why Voldemort’s eyes are red. Because he embraces life just like the spell does.
As for the symbolic nature of just the colours, Red symbolises blood. We all know that Voldemort has a bloodlust, he loves to kill, often getting joy from it. Perhaps his bloodlust is reflected in colour of his eyes.
Green represents nature and life. Harry is the master of death and therefore could also be called the master of life as he has overcome death. Therefore this mastery of life as well being reflected in his eyes.
However, this now presents us with two different ways of seeing the colours. Red as both life and death. Green as both life and death. Perhaps then this goes back to the ‘Neither can live while the other survives.’ If they are both life and death, then only one needs to exist. Perhaps the two colours represent the similarities, and the differences in the two characters.
Kelly
x
Oh wow great topic! I've been considering this ever since I saw the first movie. I guess I didn't pay enough attention to the book when I read it the first time because when the Gryffindors were wearing red I was shocked, because I expected them to wear green. Probably because I thought of red as blood, violence, evil and green as good, natural, pure.
I want to go back to the very first post and consider something that no one seemed to take into account as far as the colors go. Harry uses Expelliarmus (red) and Voldemort uses Avada Kedavra (green) and when the green and red meet they create yellow.
First I'm going to talk about the significance of yellow. Yellow represents goodness and hope. When the spells connect and make yellow the people that come out of Voldemort's wand provide hope for Harry.
Now onto the green-red connections with the eyes. Voldemort's eyes are red. Red can mean blood which can signify life or death. As for Voldemort I think it signifies that his personality is more deathlike but he wants life. By wanted life he basically defeated the purpose of living. Harry's eyes are green, normally representing nature because of plants, trees, etc. Harry, unlike Voldemort, is naturally full of life and isn't trying to defeat it. Harry defeated death, while voldemort defeated life.
As for the house colors and the spells. In this case Harry has the red here. Red symbolizing life and love. In the graveyard, even after Voldemort just killed his friend and was about to kill him Harry still did not kill Voldemort (even though he couldn't at the time) But he just used the disarming spell. He didn't try to kill Voldemort he tried to save himself. Voldemort however was just trying to flatout kill Harry. The green of the spell represented posion and evil, just like the slytherin serpents.
~Kate
I want to go back to the very first post and consider something that no one seemed to take into account as far as the colors go. Harry uses Expelliarmus (red) and Voldemort uses Avada Kedavra (green) and when the green and red meet they create yellow.
First I'm going to talk about the significance of yellow. Yellow represents goodness and hope. When the spells connect and make yellow the people that come out of Voldemort's wand provide hope for Harry.
Now onto the green-red connections with the eyes. Voldemort's eyes are red. Red can mean blood which can signify life or death. As for Voldemort I think it signifies that his personality is more deathlike but he wants life. By wanted life he basically defeated the purpose of living. Harry's eyes are green, normally representing nature because of plants, trees, etc. Harry, unlike Voldemort, is naturally full of life and isn't trying to defeat it. Harry defeated death, while voldemort defeated life.
As for the house colors and the spells. In this case Harry has the red here. Red symbolizing life and love. In the graveyard, even after Voldemort just killed his friend and was about to kill him Harry still did not kill Voldemort (even though he couldn't at the time) But he just used the disarming spell. He didn't try to kill Voldemort he tried to save himself. Voldemort however was just trying to flatout kill Harry. The green of the spell represented posion and evil, just like the slytherin serpents.
~Kate
We have changed the title of this topic, in order to make it more general, so that we can discuss about the significance of colours in litterature in general.
So, to get the conversation going again, are there any other books were colours play an important role? If yes, do you think this just happened or was it planned by the author, like in Harry Potter case?
Also, do stereotypes appear in litterature? Like for example, red for evil?
Discuss!
So, to get the conversation going again, are there any other books were colours play an important role? If yes, do you think this just happened or was it planned by the author, like in Harry Potter case?
Also, do stereotypes appear in litterature? Like for example, red for evil?
Discuss!
I've been reading different fictions for some time now, since the series are over. I have'nt really thought about colors until I saw this thread, and In The Lord of the Rings there is the constant color of emerald green of the elves verses the blood red of orks. Elves live in nature and are apart of nature and live long lifes. Where as the orks are constantly fighting and kill each other quickly, short lives.
Also in Paolini's Eragon series there is a fight between Blue and Red. Blue has resembled water, a life giving source. Yet here there is also a battle between death and life in the main character Eragon. Of course he is in conflict against a red enemy. And the enemy's allies that want to join with Eragon but can not.
There are constant sterotypes on the colors, but that comes with the meaning of the colors. The darker the red, the more it looks like blood, death and evil. Black also resembles evil because death is considered dark and merciless. People have a habit of matching death and sources of death as evil. And then green, blue, and yellow as sources of life. Green for nature, blue for water, and yellow for the sun. Constantly in literature these colors are used for this resemblance. But these colors are used for there opposites depending on the shade. for example a darker blue resembles deep water with more life, but a brighter blue like rain and shallow is sad and miserable.
Also in Paolini's Eragon series there is a fight between Blue and Red. Blue has resembled water, a life giving source. Yet here there is also a battle between death and life in the main character Eragon. Of course he is in conflict against a red enemy. And the enemy's allies that want to join with Eragon but can not.
There are constant sterotypes on the colors, but that comes with the meaning of the colors. The darker the red, the more it looks like blood, death and evil. Black also resembles evil because death is considered dark and merciless. People have a habit of matching death and sources of death as evil. And then green, blue, and yellow as sources of life. Green for nature, blue for water, and yellow for the sun. Constantly in literature these colors are used for this resemblance. But these colors are used for there opposites depending on the shade. for example a darker blue resembles deep water with more life, but a brighter blue like rain and shallow is sad and miserable.
Dumbledoreisalive, I wanted to mention red too. In every book I've read red represents evil. Like, for example, in Twilight, the vampires that kill people have bloody eyes, which show their need for blood. The "vegetarian" vampires on the other hand, have brown/topaz eyes. Brown is considered a generally good and calm colour, which is also linked to the colour of the earth, thus it is a more natural one. As for topaz, it is a precious gem, symbolizing how precious and unique these vampires are.
I've also read a series called "Stravaganza", where a heroine has purple eyes. This colour is very rare, so the author gave purple eyes to the queen, on purpose, so as to distinguish her from everyone else.
Also, we have all heard about the royal red, which is why kings in fairytales have red clothes.
I can't think of any more examples now, but I think that there are many more colour stereotypes in litterature. It is very interesting to look it up.
I've also read a series called "Stravaganza", where a heroine has purple eyes. This colour is very rare, so the author gave purple eyes to the queen, on purpose, so as to distinguish her from everyone else.
Also, we have all heard about the royal red, which is why kings in fairytales have red clothes.
I can't think of any more examples now, but I think that there are many more colour stereotypes in litterature. It is very interesting to look it up.
I really only have one thing to add, but red is definitely the color of blood, fighting, and evil for the most part.
White. This color is often a sign of purity or the cleansing of something. It sort of symbolizes how "clean" somebody is, sometimes. Obviously not in Twilight, where the vampires are pale white, because that's not showing anything. The only place that I can think of where this fits, is the Bible. How white is the color of cleanliness and purity.
White. This color is often a sign of purity or the cleansing of something. It sort of symbolizes how "clean" somebody is, sometimes. Obviously not in Twilight, where the vampires are pale white, because that's not showing anything. The only place that I can think of where this fits, is the Bible. How white is the color of cleanliness and purity.
Well, we've got Snow White. I think that almost every pure "virgin" princess in fairytales is white. This happens for two reasons. One is that white, as hot-for-harry said, is the colour of purity. The other is that these princesses are untouched by the outside world. They are locked in a castle, protected by their family, away from people's eyes. This is combined with the whole purity thing as well.
As for "Twilight", the vampires are pale white because they have no blood flaw, and because they are not exposed to sun. Not that this would make any difference anyway.
I want to bring up another colour: black. Apart from the obvious, black being the colour of darkness etc etc, I have the feeling that black eyes are given to very special characters. One for instance, is Snape. Whether people like him or not, Snape did have great strength, both as a magician and as an individual. So, does black represent the mystery as well, as a result of everything that can be hidden in the dark? What do you think?
As for "Twilight", the vampires are pale white because they have no blood flaw, and because they are not exposed to sun. Not that this would make any difference anyway.
I want to bring up another colour: black. Apart from the obvious, black being the colour of darkness etc etc, I have the feeling that black eyes are given to very special characters. One for instance, is Snape. Whether people like him or not, Snape did have great strength, both as a magician and as an individual. So, does black represent the mystery as well, as a result of everything that can be hidden in the dark? What do you think?
I think that some may be reading too far into the symbolism around the red/green, and I also think some are neglecting to note that when LV and HP's wands connected the resulting colour was gold, not yellow. One other discrepancy I have noted is that Tom's eyes were not green, in fact the specific colour is never named, they are simply referred to as "dark".
First things first: Lord Voldemort.
I believe JK replaced Tom's original dark eyes with red, for the simple fact that red eyes are unnatural and always associated with "the baddy". As a reference point I have found this website to have a pretty detailed list of famous red-eyed villains, it also includes the exceptions however my opinion is that LV's eyes are red because:
Now, onto Harry.
In my opinion, JK gave Harry green eyes because green eyes are memorable. An interesting point to note in regards to green eyes is that green eyes are often given to villains as well, because the colour stands out and can be associated with evil. In a nutshell, HP has green eyes because:
And just quickly, Albus Dumbledore.
DD's eyes are referenced probably just as much as LV's and HP's, however the importance of this has so far been neglected in this thread. His eyes are always described as being a "piercing" or "bright" blue. Blue eyes are often associated with a pure soul, especially important in DD's case as his eyes seem to "x-ray" you. I believe JK gave DD startling blue eyes because:
Now, moving onto Avada Kedavra, Expelliarmus and Priori Incantatem.
The colours are inverted for the spells because the symbolic meaning behind the colours changes when it moves away from the eyes.
Green is a conflicted colour, in recent times we associate it with nature and health, however traditionally green symbolises death hence why JK chose to make the Avada Kedavra curse green.
Red is a strong colour that symbolises life and love, two very prominent reasons why JK would've chosen to make Expelliarmus (HP's favoured defence) red as both life and love play important roles throughout the HP books.
Gold is strong, it is valuable and it is (once again) pure. I believe this is important to note when we think about Priori Incantatem as I don't believe that LV would've had the power to force the spell to HP's wand, the reason for this being that he was scared. HP wasn't dead and now LV was connected to him through this golden light, HP had the sense of mind to use his instincts and force the beads of light to LV's wand. The fact that when the twin cores met, the spells turned gold is important as gold is directly related to goodness and light. If the spells had have turned black, that would've been extremely worrisome and I'm sure HP would've freaked out in that instance, however the gold light gave HP strength, it was pure and he believed in it.
QUOTE(GoF @ Ch. 34)
A jet of green light issued from Voldemort's wand just as a jet of red light blasted from Harry's - they met in midair - and suddenly Harry's wand was vibrating as though an electric charge were surging through it; his hand seized up around it; he couldn't have released it if he'd wanted to - and a narrow beam of light connected the two wands, neither red nor green, but bright, deep gold.
First things first: Lord Voldemort.
I believe JK replaced Tom's original dark eyes with red, for the simple fact that red eyes are unnatural and always associated with "the baddy". As a reference point I have found this website to have a pretty detailed list of famous red-eyed villains, it also includes the exceptions however my opinion is that LV's eyes are red because:
- Red eyes are unnatural - he is no longer a normal, natural being especially after all the horcuxes and sinister magic used to keep him alive;
- Red eyes are often associated with villains, and LV is one of the most prominent fictional villains in the past decade or so.
Now, onto Harry.
In my opinion, JK gave Harry green eyes because green eyes are memorable. An interesting point to note in regards to green eyes is that green eyes are often given to villains as well, because the colour stands out and can be associated with evil. In a nutshell, HP has green eyes because:
- Green eyes stand out and are memorable, which is important in writing so the reader can visualise without too much trouble and without repeated, lengthy descriptions;
- They are the colour of Lily's eyes - the importance of which we found out in DH;
- They directly offset LV's red eyes, creating a balance of colour in the reader's imagination.
And just quickly, Albus Dumbledore.
DD's eyes are referenced probably just as much as LV's and HP's, however the importance of this has so far been neglected in this thread. His eyes are always described as being a "piercing" or "bright" blue. Blue eyes are often associated with a pure soul, especially important in DD's case as his eyes seem to "x-ray" you. I believe JK gave DD startling blue eyes because:
- Once again, they are memorable;
- DD is a prominent figure for "good" - LV is scared of him, HP is "Dumbledore's man through and through" - and blue eyes symbolise purity; and
- They link to Aberforth's eyes in DH.
Now, moving onto Avada Kedavra, Expelliarmus and Priori Incantatem.
The colours are inverted for the spells because the symbolic meaning behind the colours changes when it moves away from the eyes.
Green is a conflicted colour, in recent times we associate it with nature and health, however traditionally green symbolises death hence why JK chose to make the Avada Kedavra curse green.
Red is a strong colour that symbolises life and love, two very prominent reasons why JK would've chosen to make Expelliarmus (HP's favoured defence) red as both life and love play important roles throughout the HP books.
Gold is strong, it is valuable and it is (once again) pure. I believe this is important to note when we think about Priori Incantatem as I don't believe that LV would've had the power to force the spell to HP's wand, the reason for this being that he was scared. HP wasn't dead and now LV was connected to him through this golden light, HP had the sense of mind to use his instincts and force the beads of light to LV's wand. The fact that when the twin cores met, the spells turned gold is important as gold is directly related to goodness and light. If the spells had have turned black, that would've been extremely worrisome and I'm sure HP would've freaked out in that instance, however the gold light gave HP strength, it was pure and he believed in it.
Ok in the case of Harry Potter colours are juxtaposed.
Red: Voldemort's eyes, Gryffindor house, Lily and the Weasley's hair.
Green: Harry's eyes, the killing curse, Slytherin house.
The two main colours as detailed above are both symbols of good and evil. Green is associated first and foremost with Slytherin who are depicted as the 'bad crowd' and red is associated with Gryffindor who are the 'heores'.
Jo always makes it clear in her writing that she does not lump a group of people into the same category, that is to say stereotype. She never says all Slytherins are evil and look at the heroic efforts of Regulus and Severus and look at the betrayal committed by Peter.
So it is perhaps Jo's way of showing that both good and evil are in everything but as said in PoA film 'we all have both light and dark in us but the part that matters is the side we choose to act on'.
Note: my eyes get red too when I stay up all night
Red: Voldemort's eyes, Gryffindor house, Lily and the Weasley's hair.
Green: Harry's eyes, the killing curse, Slytherin house.
The two main colours as detailed above are both symbols of good and evil. Green is associated first and foremost with Slytherin who are depicted as the 'bad crowd' and red is associated with Gryffindor who are the 'heores'.
Jo always makes it clear in her writing that she does not lump a group of people into the same category, that is to say stereotype. She never says all Slytherins are evil and look at the heroic efforts of Regulus and Severus and look at the betrayal committed by Peter.
So it is perhaps Jo's way of showing that both good and evil are in everything but as said in PoA film 'we all have both light and dark in us but the part that matters is the side we choose to act on'.
Note: my eyes get red too when I stay up all night
Alright, I know this isn't about the red eye/green eye thing, but I thought it was important. When that duplicate topic was opened, I didn't realize that it was and what not, so here's what I typed:
So, what do you think of that?
So it is perhaps Jo's way of showing that both good and evil are in everything but as said in PoA film 'we all have both light and dark in us but the part that matters is the side we choose to act on'.
Agreed. I mean, red being evil and green being good could be a stereotype. Red is usually associated with that anyway. But the way she characterized it works too.
QUOTE
Hmm, I vaguely remember reading something that JKR did plan some of that stuff. She researched a lot to make sure everything fit. Of course, with a series as extensive as her's, there are things that fell out of the puzzle and what not, but otherwise, I do agree: Her works are genius
Basically, she stated that Celtics had assigned different trees to the birthdays areas, like the Horiscopes, they have Virgos and whatnot. Anyway, she had coincidentally gave Harry the correct wood for his birthday, so she kept it up with Ron and Hermione, too. These are the only 3 she actually assigned using the Celtics' system. For example, my wand, according to my birthday, would be a Hazel wand. Hermione's is Vine, and Ron's is ash.
She also had the owl's represent the character in a way. For example, Poor Ron gets Pidwidgeon who is basically a small owl that. in my opinion, everyone knows but don't find importance to. Also, the Snowy White owls (Hedwig) aren't native to Great Britain, so she gave that owl to Harry because he stands out, and so did Hedwig.
Basically, she stated that Celtics had assigned different trees to the birthdays areas, like the Horiscopes, they have Virgos and whatnot. Anyway, she had coincidentally gave Harry the correct wood for his birthday, so she kept it up with Ron and Hermione, too. These are the only 3 she actually assigned using the Celtics' system. For example, my wand, according to my birthday, would be a Hazel wand. Hermione's is Vine, and Ron's is ash.
She also had the owl's represent the character in a way. For example, Poor Ron gets Pidwidgeon who is basically a small owl that. in my opinion, everyone knows but don't find importance to. Also, the Snowy White owls (Hedwig) aren't native to Great Britain, so she gave that owl to Harry because he stands out, and so did Hedwig.
So, what do you think of that?
QUOTE
So it is perhaps Jo's way of showing that both good and evil are in everything but as said in PoA film 'we all have both light and dark in us but the part that matters is the side we choose to act on'.
Agreed. I mean, red being evil and green being good could be a stereotype. Red is usually associated with that anyway. But the way she characterized it works too.
No biggie Kiersten! We changed slightly the title of the thread to make it more general.
It makes sense that she had planned a lot of those things. When you start such a series, you have to pay attention to the details. Not that people would care if Harry had the wrong wood, but other stuff are more important, such as the Owls you mentioned, which by the way, is something I had not noticed!
I think the greatest symbolisms lie in names, such as Remus Lupin, related to wolves, Tom Riddle (Voldemort was a riddle!), the Blacks (linked also to the colour of the dog Sirius turned into), the Malfoys (bad faith), and of course, the spells and potions. I think she spent a lot of time studying latin to make her spells as real as possible. Veritaserum for once comes from veritas (truth) and ero (say). Some are imaginary of course, but others come from real latin words. I remember being impressed by Levicorpus actually.
So yes, some symbolisms are more obvious than others. Some just happened to be there, some are pointed out by devoted fans, and some were intentional. Overall, I think she did a great job trying to create connections between even the smallest things.
It makes sense that she had planned a lot of those things. When you start such a series, you have to pay attention to the details. Not that people would care if Harry had the wrong wood, but other stuff are more important, such as the Owls you mentioned, which by the way, is something I had not noticed!
I think the greatest symbolisms lie in names, such as Remus Lupin, related to wolves, Tom Riddle (Voldemort was a riddle!), the Blacks (linked also to the colour of the dog Sirius turned into), the Malfoys (bad faith), and of course, the spells and potions. I think she spent a lot of time studying latin to make her spells as real as possible. Veritaserum for once comes from veritas (truth) and ero (say). Some are imaginary of course, but others come from real latin words. I remember being impressed by Levicorpus actually.
So yes, some symbolisms are more obvious than others. Some just happened to be there, some are pointed out by devoted fans, and some were intentional. Overall, I think she did a great job trying to create connections between even the smallest things.
It is a great thing, alkisti, how she planned some things out. Okay, so maybe the woods weren't important, but I think it was cool how some of even the littlest things had some kind of importance. I just find that interesting. She only did it for the trio, though, because she said she wanted to keep it just special upon them.
I always love reading stuff on her site and finding the portkeys and what not. (Just go there, jkrowling.com, if you have no clue what I'm talking about. It's really cool.) She gives a bunch of information about what happened after the series, and there's even the Weasley family tree for all 7 kids (after the war.)
The names really did surprise me, as well as the latin. Now, when I'm writing fanfics and need to make up spells, I always try to find the latin basis for them, but they never turn out as good as hers. But I do see how she did that. And the way she did Voldemort's name and making it into 'I am Lord Voldemort' must have been extremely difficult. But it was cool, nevertheless. I ramble a lot.
I always love reading stuff on her site and finding the portkeys and what not. (Just go there, jkrowling.com, if you have no clue what I'm talking about. It's really cool.) She gives a bunch of information about what happened after the series, and there's even the Weasley family tree for all 7 kids (after the war.)
The names really did surprise me, as well as the latin. Now, when I'm writing fanfics and need to make up spells, I always try to find the latin basis for them, but they never turn out as good as hers.
But I do see how she did that. And the way she did Voldemort's name and making it into 'I am Lord Voldemort' must have been extremely difficult. But it was cool, nevertheless. I ramble a lot.
[color=#FF0000]red. [color=#006600]green. two very different colors, yet so close. I would just like to point out that, yes maybe ms. rowling thought that we would all assume potter's eyes were green, but are they really? The answer is yes. assuming this, maybe there is some symbolism behind it that noone ccan really even BEGIN to understand. Or is there. We may never know.
This is a "lo-fi" version of our main content. To view the full version with more information, formatting and images, please click here.