I don't know whether Harry is a horcrux and is welcoming his death, but I always thought that since the book is called "Deathly Hallows" that the USC cover was something like Harry welcoming all the ghosts (hallows) of the people that LV and his followers have killed, to help him defeat voldermort, and LV is cowering because he is afraid to face up to the people he murdered. I know that's really lame btw.

Another thing I saw, I don't know if you've read my earlier posts about the UKC cover having something of all the founder's on, but i'm really glad Muggle-boy spotted the snake on the front of the breastplate beneath Ron's foot. This totally backs up what I was saying and gives fresh evidence.

anyone else seen it?

This is a really neat idea, umbridge_must_die. Others have theorized that the line between the spirit world and the normal world will be at its thinnest during DH and that maybe Harry could talk to Sirius through the veil. But your idea sounds plausible. With the separation of the two worlds so thin, maybe the spirits can pass through the veil and the shadows of people in the background of the cover are those that have crossed through and LV, being that he fears death beyond anything else, is cowering in the presence of death. I'm not saying that this is what I think will happen but it is a great idea that just might be possible.

Yes, I have seen it, Umbridge_must_die. I agree, that there is something about the UKC that screams House unity.

Also, Professor, when you put it like that, I guess you're right. It's not something I want to happen, but then again, I'm not entirely convinced that I will be disappointed to find your theory true. But I guess it all remains to be seen on the 21st!

Just to throw this out there.. on the cover muggleboy found when you look on the armor with the snake on it theres a rather large and bright coin .. if you zoom in on it you can see a face, and dumbledores army used coins to communicate. Im not sure if anyone else posted this cause i really didnt feel like reading 37 pages.. I looked through like 5. well ya

Draco also used coins to communicate with Rosemerta. So yes, it could be one of those or it could just be wizarding gold in a Gringotts vault.

And there is a helm with a dragon and a breast plate with the same phoenix that is on the cover of CoS - long neck and all...

Just checking to make sure people are awake out there...

Cris

According To Tilden, The Swedish Harry Potter Publisher JK Rowling Has Provided Them With An Alternative Deathly Hallows Title: Harry Potter And The Relics of Death."dödsrelikerna," This Was Chosen By Bloomsbury And JK Because "Deathly Hallows" Is Difficult To Translate.

Tilden Website: Tilden

What Do Guyz Think

i love the UK cover and it has loads of clues on it, but the US one has some too. i really like umbridge_must_die's theory of harry welcoming the ghosts to him, it seems possible, if you look at the cover Harry looks as though he is reaching for something but voldemort looks like he's leaning back trying to avoid whatever it is, and his hand looks more like its pushing away whereas Harry's looks like he is trying to reach or gather things to him.

Even if it isn't ghosts, i think its something good for harry and bad for LV, if you zoom in, Harry doesn't look at all worried but from what you can see of LV and the way he is standing back he does look slightly fearful or apprehensive. and Harry looks like he has the locket around his neck, and are there also shadows of lots of other people behind Harry? hopefully they are not the Death eaters again forming a circle around Harry and LV. Also, in the US version there is no obvious sign of Ron and Hermione whereas the UK one shows them side by side with Harry as though they are there till the end, which i like! I'm sorry if i have repeated observations other people have made but I only read the last page of posts!

Thanks for bigging up my lame theory white_bumblebee!!

hmmm...that's interesting RookWood, there has to be a reason why JK chose "Relics" a relic is almost like a souvenir isn't it? something precious from a time or a place. Presuming a Hallow means a spirit or a ghost, either the hallows are the relics of death or the horcruxes are...

I Did Some Recerch On The Word "Relics". According To Dictionary.com I Came Across This:

Relics:

1) A Surviving Memorial Of Something Past.
2) A Surviving Trace Of Something.
3) The Remains Of A Deceased Person.
4) Something Kept In Remembrance; Souvenir; Memento.

Also Wikipedia Has Some Good Information On Relics Too:

A Relic Is An Object, Especially A Piece Of The Body Or A Personal Item Of Someone Of Religious Significance. (Kinda Reminds Me Of Voldemort Horcruxes)

You Can View The Pages Here:
Wikipedia:"Caution Contaions Strong Religious Beliefs"
Dictionary:"Relics"

KK that's cool, but remember we're talking about COVER ART here.

I went on the Tiden website (it is tiden without an "l" by the way)but they haven't as yet put the cover art up for "Harry Potter and the relics of death", as the book is coming out in november in sweden, any clues from their cover probably wont be released for another few months. But, the swedish cover artist, Alvaro Tapias does the most beautiful mythical covers, i prefer them to the UK/US ones!

here's the link to see them, just click on Harry Potter at the top: Swedish covers

I'm sorry, maybe you have already given your theories about this, but I quicly checked several posts and was not abble to find anything about it.

On the UK cover, there is a symbol on the top of the spine of the children edition. Bloomsburry has even created an animation on its site about this symbol.

Moreover, some fans then noticed a quite similar object in dumbledore's office in the Goblet of Fire movie.

Check out the link

What do you think about that ?
Has this mysterious object something to do with that symbol ? And what is it anyway ?

I am re re re re reading the six first books in order to find something, but some of you have maybe already an intersting point about all this...

Kaori, there have already been in-depth discussions about the septology symbol, i think it's about 3/4 pages back???

I personally think it's a rune/symbol from around the pensieve or a symbol for an organisation.

please, let's not talk about something we've already discussed....

I really like the Relics of Death info. That would really lean towards the Horcruxes!. They are memorials and reminders surviving trace of important things, people and events to LV. They are relics of his past, the wizarding past and important things to him.

Good catch! RookWood

Now how does Deathly Hallows connect with that?

hallow: To respect or honor greatly; revere.

Deathly: causing death; deadly; fatal.
:like death: a deathly silence.
:Extremely; very: The night was deathly cold.

Harry has to honor death where LV cannot?
The place is extremely honored or revered?
The objects are deathly and revered?

How would that tie into the USC cover?

Lots to ponder!

Cris

Lots to ponder, indeed! But I think we must look at the definition of "hallow" as a noun, not as a verb. I found these on Wikipedia:

In legend:
The word "hallows" has been used in legends to represent important and powerful objects.

In current usage:
Hallows can refer to saints, the relics (including remains) of the saints, the relics of gods, or shrines in which relics are kept.

I think that RookWood's catch on the "Relics of Death" is dead on. The title of this upcoming book is definitely describing horcruxes. There really isn't much evidence to the contrary.

I Agree With Both thatsProfessortoyou And thecortni . I Really Liked The Idea Of Harry Honoring Death While LV Can't As We All Know That Voldemort Is Always Running From Death While Harry Will Soon Find Out Why There Are Things Much Worse Then Death As Dumbledore Always Have Said. I Think That "Relics Of Death" Just Means "Deathly Horcruxes" And Anyone Who Tries To Destroy It Will End Up Being Dead. We Know The R.A.B Died Judging By His Letter And Dumbledore Almost Died Trying To Destroy The Ring But Still End Up Dead In The End. The Only Person Who Have Survived After Destroying The Horcrux Is Harry So It Quite Possible Like thatsProfessortoyou Said Harry May End Up Welcoming Death . Another Thing That I Taught Of Was That the Title Could Be Referring To The People That LV Killed For Making The Horcruxes And Its Very Unlikely Possible That The Shadows Behind Harry On US DH Cover Art Are Them But We Are Getting Really Off Topic Here Since This Topic Is Supposed To Be About Cover Art. But It Seems That We Have Point Out Every Thing On The Covers.

But I didn't want you to talk about it if you had already discussed about this subject ! I thought I was clear in my message... I'm gonna look (again) for the good page.

Thanks anyway...

I noticed this "pattern" if you will in the previous books: In the US version except for the 1st, it depicts the last scenes in that book. In the UK version, however, it depicts either something the title refers to, or in the case of the 7th book, one of the scenes to take place later on.

For the 7th UK book, it looks as though the gold surrounding the trio has scorched them, perhaps one of the obstacles Voldy has set guarding (though, I'm just assuming) Helga's cup. Just a thought

Im an american so im getting that cover but i was looking at the UK cover and look at the clouds by hogwarts, all of them are white except a ball of them and if u turn your head a little bit it looks like a dog or a wolf, and theres the full moon in the back...not sayin it means anything jus pointing it out.

I've been craning my neck for hours now...which way are you meant to turn your head? I't sooo frustrating!

By the way, i think the reason why there are only a few grey clouds aroung hogwarts is because it's meant to show impending doom surrounding it. And i never notced that prongs was on the back! i think it's harry's dad, not his patronus.

One thing about the triangle symbol on the spine. I have an idea, i reckon that the line between the two halves is symbolic for the veil, and the two halves are our world and the spirit world - which as we know, are likely to combine in book 7. I think the halve that is smaller is our world's halve because the spirit world is much more powerful and magical. The two halves are almost touching, almost joined, the only thing between is the veil - which i think will play a big role.

Comments?

I completely agree. I've been trying to see the dog or wolf as well, but I just don't see anything. I've looked from all angles and all I see are clouds. However, I was never very good at the cloud game where you try and find different shapes or objects formed by the clouds. I guess I don't have much of an imagination!

LittleRed7771, you are making me feel insecure now! I am a very imaginative person, and i am beating myself up about not being able to see this *@%! dog!!!

I'm sorry! I didn't mean to make you feel insecure. PLEASE forgive me!

Maybe we have to squint our eyes in the light of the full moon while chanting "Harry is our King" to be able to see it! I would hope that we aren't the only ones having problems seeing the dog or wolf. Oh well, I give up. Let me know if it ever materializes for you. Maybe then you can give me the secret to making it appear.

the link for the u.s cover didnt work wen i clicked on it so yea but i do like the uk cover of the book. the front cover, i think, my have answered a question i saw someone ask about voldemorts defeat. y is ron holding a sword that looks just like griffindors?

The US Edition of the Deathly Hallows kind of reminds me of Dragonball Z for those of you who are anime freaks! I think the shadows in the background are spectators from the other side of the viel, possibly victims of Voldemort. Dumbledore, Sirius, Harry's Parents, you name them, are probably offering words of encouragement to Harry who is more than likely fighting in some area in the department of mysteries given the curtains and colleseum.

Harry vs. Voldemort seems very much like that episode of Dragonball Z where Gohan finishes Cell off with a Kamehameha blast. Perhaps the victims of Voldemort are helping Harry muster up enough energy (maybe of the power in that locked room that Voldemort hates) to vaporize Voldemort with it. I could just see Voldy's last words being "But I'm immortal!!" similar to Cell's dying cry of "But I'm perfect!"

Here is that episode if you don't know what I'm talking about.

youtube

Its been all since I've posted, so I hope that I am not repeating what anyone has said. About the symbol on the UK spine. Everyone is speculating that it is engraved in marble, well after re-reading PS I noticed that upon entering Gringgotts that Harry noticed that everything was marble. That ties in with the cover art being the trio in Griggotts. Let me know what you guys think.

unfortunetly i live in the us and will be gettinh that cover but the uk is so much better!!!!

i have read that it is a general consencus that it is gryffindors tomb but i think that a lot of that treasure looks like plates and maybe a goblet/cup maybe rowena ravenclaws????????

Wow! Very profound! Even if that isn't exactly the answer I love it!!!

I have to go back and look at the publisher's website!

*pant, pant* ok I'm back
The creating of the symbol on the website doesn't help much other than the two halves are drawn separatley. And the line looks like a divider.

Good thingking!!

Cris

YAY! *random moment of happiness* I'm back!

So nice to see that I didn't miss any new ideas!

Here are my thoughts on what everyone has been saying:

Taurice - it isn't Ron holding the sword, it's a house-elf, most likely Kreacher

Dogamort - I've seen that episode of Dragonball Z and you made me realise how similar they are! I doubt this is intentional though. I like your idea about the shadows as well.

Looney Lovegoddess - as this fresh evidence confirms, Gringotts is becoming the most likely candidate for the location of the UKC cover scene.

crookshanks04 - As you rightly put, there are many references to the Hogwart's founders on the UKC cover. Read my earlier posts for more on this.

thatsprofessortoyou - Cheers, it took me ages to think of that theory!

I, too, like this theory about the symbol on the spine. I wonder if I can expand on it a little?

Okay, let's say that the triangle could be a pyramid if it was given a 3D view. A pyramid can be a symbol of the hierarchical structure of the universe. For purposes of HP, instead of universe, we will use the living and spirit worlds. The circle can be a symbol of never-ending, infinite. As you said, the line could represent the veil dividing these two worlds and breaking the infinite circle forming a break or crack between the two.

Also, I wonder if the circle could be the spirit world-infinite, eternal; and the triangle could be the living which is not infinite or eternal because we all die eventually.

Looking back, I guess I didn't expand on your idea that much. Sorry! Although I really like the theory, I wonder if we are thinking too deeply into it?

Something hit me today about the orb on the cover, with the snake in it.....
Dunno if anyone has said this since I have been absent, but let me toss it out there while I am thinking about it---

Just relistening to POA, and Lupin's Boggart is the 'silvery glowing orb' (full moon). Is there any possibility that the orb in the book art is Lupin's boggart? (since Harry's patronus/James's animagus is on a cover--the stag). If it is Lupin's boggart, what would we make of the snake coiled within it? Please don't let Lupin turn traitor. Can Lupin's boggart have shifted to include a snake in the full moon?

Lupin turn traitor? NO WAY!

Is it possible Prof. Trelawney will finally be able to see something real in her crystal ball? She has now given two predictions, even though she isn't aware of either of them.

She did see the Grim, but she didn't know Sirius was a dog animagus, so I'd have to conclude that was a real tea reading, as well. Maybe where Harry is concerned, she does have the sight?

LittleRed7771, thanks for your ideas on my theory! I didn't realise that a triangle was meant to represent the universe, but now you've told me, it makes all the more sense. If the circle was the spirit world, why would it be divided, with one smaller than the other?

pumpkinjuice, I like your thinking about lupin's boggart, but as Sirren said, I think it's more likely to be trelawney's crystal ball predicting something.

I agree. From the very beginning I thought it was the crystal ball. She has predicted things about and for Harry. this is one last thing and I really think it has something to do with Harry and LV. The one snake eating the other.

Or else it is something -Harry, love - bursting out of the snake - Nagini or LV? - literal of figurative?.

Cris

Just to expand on this, there are several reasons that make me believe the "orb" is trelawney's crystal ball.

Firstly, the picture of it on the UKC cover looks glassy and has stars on it.

Secondly , i'm pretty sure the snake is nagini, and unless lupin had seen her, he wouldn't be able to visualise her as a boggart, however since trelawney is a "physic" she would be able to see her in her crystal ball.

Thirdly, on the side of the orb is a reflection of a window, if a boggart was hiding in an enclosed space, there wouldn't be a window to reflect.

what do you think?

I agree that it is Prof. Trelawney's crystal ball. Either that or another prophecy orb. I just wonder, is it really two snakes? I can only see one head unless I am missing something. Could it be one snake with two colors-half white and half color? Is it foretelling the death of the snake or the two souls of the snake-one the snake's and the other LV? I also wonder, who is the prediction being made to, Harry or LV?

So many questions and not enough answers! But I foresee answers coming in the near future. They move ever so closer. A number is swimming around strongly in my head. I see the number...21!!

We also have DD in his office using the silver instrument that emitted smoke in some fashion answering DD's question of LV and Harry: it showed one snake forming two heads and he said something like in essence divided. I don't remember which book or where? I am in GOF about a 1/3 through again and I've not read it yet.

I remember DD saying that and had thought about that as a possibility. That was from OoP just after Harry saw Nagini attacked Mr. Weasley. McGonagall took Harry and Ron to DD's office. DD used the thingy and saw this. Then DD sent Harry and the Weasley's to Sirius' house. Still, that showed two snakes because it divided. I'm still not sure if I can see two heads in the orb/ball on the book. Can you see 1 or 2 heads?

I had another thought on the symbol. We know that love is going to play an important role in defeating LV. What if this symbol is found in the "Locked Room" in the DoM? It holds the key to Harry defeating LV. The triange could be a "love triangle" with the three sides being Harry, Lily, and James. The circle-which is never-ending, eternal, infinite-is love. And the line, instead of dividing, is the line that joins them together. Notice the line touches all three of the triangle lines. One end touches two at an interestion-which could be Lily and James-and the other end touches the line in the middle-which could be Harry. Just a thought.

That's for the location; I completely could not remember where that wove into the storyline, simply that I'd not gotten to it again this read-thru. OOTP pg 470 US ed. It did indeed become two different snakes.

I am at a loss to see two heads on the snake in the ord; I only see the one and shadows that could be another, but could also be the same. I'm of no help.

Sorry, my mind must have gone blank, i really don't remember this at all!

why did dumbledore use the instrument?

I really need to re-read the books!

Harry had told DD what he saw in his "dream" about Mr. Weasley getting attacked by Nagini. DD asked him from what perspective did he see the attack. Harry told him from the snake's perspective. Then DD grabbed the instrument, placed it on his desk, did or said something, a snake came out of the instrument, it divided into 2 snakes, and DD said something along the lines of "The same but in essence divided". He then he put it back away.

Hope this helps!

About the Children's UK tiltle cover, I think that is the Room of the Requirement Harry and his friends are trying to manuver through while being attacked by flying coins. In the Half Blood Prince, Harry notices the Room of Requirement is full of congealed potions and jewels. That seems similar to the illustration on the cover of the DH.

Also, the back and front cover of the UK edition of the HBP book has the cave environment on the back that fits with the front cover of Dumbledore protecting Harry from the Inferi. I think this illustrator's design patterns hold true for the seventh book.
Since Hogwarts seems to be on the back of the DH, then we can assume that the room Harry and friends are entering is in Hogwarts.

Just my theory.... Don't know for sure....

That's interesting. I have the US versions so I am not familiar with the complete covers of the UK version. Does this hold true for all 6 books? Is the back of the cover the outside location of all the front cover's inside location (if that makes sense )? If that is the case for all the covers, I will have to agree with you. I am a firm believer that the front of DH is Gringotts. However, that may change depending on the layout of the previous 6 UK versions. Thanks!

The Snake in the orb: It looks like there are two snakes, one consuming the other. You see one head difinitively (sp?) the other is consumed. OR you can see the vague outline of what could be the other head (on right, lighter color, big snake loop under the visible head.

I was reading CoS to my boys tonight when I came across Draco talking to Crabbe and Goyle (Harry and Ron) about Malfoy Manor. He said they had a secret chamber under the drawing room floor. Could the trio be falling through the floor into this chamber? Lucius had poisons and probably postions he needed to hide. Draco said as much. They would also have jewels, treasure etc. hidden there.

That would also explain Draco's face reflected in the armour. He could be the one casting the spell that looks like dragon fire.

They go looking for horcrux info, poison and/or antidotes at Malfoy Manor, knowing about the secret chamber. They break in, falling down into the chamber only to be attacked by Draco who has been hiding there all along.....


Thoughts?

Cris

I haven't heard that before. I looked and looked but I can't see Draco's face anywhere. Where exactly is it so I know where to concentrate my search?

If Draco really is there, that would open up a new range of theories, but if not, my bet is still Gringotts.

Recently Mary GrandPre gave an interview with theDetroit Free Press http://www.freep.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=2007706050428

She has this to say about the cover

And they should. "I try to make everything have a meaning. ... There is a reason why something is in the illustration. I don't just put it in because it looks better. It really does have to have a meaning or part of the story has to support it."

It seems that we will have to take a very close look at the cover because everything is important. How Cool.

Hmm.



Dragon fire you say? don't dragons normally protect treasure? maybe this is Norbert all grown up or something lol.

Seriously though, if it was a dragon doing the damage to the trio on the UKC cover, there could be one in Gringotts, or Hogwarts or the Malfoy's secret chamber.

and by the way thatsprofessortoyou, i can't see the reflection of draco either. Maybe it's just mine and LittleRed's eyes playing up again like it did with the dog.

thatsProfessortoyou And I Had Lots Of Fun With This I Think 34 Pages Back (Page 6 To Be Precise) . Anyways I Am Posting A Link Which Shows Darco's Face On UKC DH Cover. Just Adding A little Bit To thatsProfessortoyou Theory If You Remember In HBP Harry Assigned Dobby To Follows Darco What If He Never Give Up And The Reason Ron And Hermione Are Wearing Those Robes Are Because They Were At The Wedding In Which Dobby Popped Up And Told Harry About Malfoys Hiding Place And That Place Is Actually Some Secret Chamber At Malfoys Mansion.

Anyways Here The Link: Darco On UKC

P.S: I Also Spotted A Women A Face On UKC DH Cover But Many Had Problem Spoting It Here The Link: Face On UKC ---Original Cover

LittleRed...The room on the cover of the UK could be Gringotts huh?

I have read ( again dont remember where..on the jkr page even maybe) that there will be a succesfull break-in into Gringotts, maybe the Trio is the "robbers" who break in to take something like a horcux..maybe Voldee thought Gringotts is the most save place tp hide at least one of his horcruxes..hmm
the gold and stuff looks pretty Gringotts-like dont yew think?

and again what could be that Ring the three guys seem to fall thru? and the Elf..

I think the cover tells more than every theory we could ever make up from the signs we got from the books kinda

They just unveiled the deluxe edition cover, and it shows the trio riding a dragon! Now what might that be about? Hard to tell what kind of dragon, tho it has spikes on its head. They appear to be in the countryside somewhere....

Where, where, where did you find this online? I'm Googling my fingers out and coming up with only the previously released cover art.

Riding a dragon, hmmmm. Perhaps that is after they get out of Gringotts? Could be a dragon decided to help them? Sounds crazy, though. Of course, Norbert would be all grown by now....

Could be Charlie helped them somehow and remember that Bill is a "curse breaker" for Gringotts.