What happens to the wands of dead wizards?
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When wizards die, are their wands recycled? Or are they buried with the wizard or what? I mean, the wand might not be interested in a new master just yet, but it seems like a waste of a perfectly good core and wood.
harry-potter wandlore
add a comment |
When wizards die, are their wands recycled? Or are they buried with the wizard or what? I mean, the wand might not be interested in a new master just yet, but it seems like a waste of a perfectly good core and wood.
harry-potter wandlore
The Elder Wand was laid with Dumbledore - not sure of others.
– Jake
Jan 28 '16 at 19:48
2
Ron's first wand was second hand. Perhaps poorer families passed their wands down
– user46509
Jan 28 '16 at 21:18
@ATB good point.
– CHEESE
Jan 28 '16 at 21:42
add a comment |
When wizards die, are their wands recycled? Or are they buried with the wizard or what? I mean, the wand might not be interested in a new master just yet, but it seems like a waste of a perfectly good core and wood.
harry-potter wandlore
When wizards die, are their wands recycled? Or are they buried with the wizard or what? I mean, the wand might not be interested in a new master just yet, but it seems like a waste of a perfectly good core and wood.
harry-potter wandlore
harry-potter wandlore
asked Jan 28 '16 at 19:33
CHEESECHEESE
14.8k449115
14.8k449115
The Elder Wand was laid with Dumbledore - not sure of others.
– Jake
Jan 28 '16 at 19:48
2
Ron's first wand was second hand. Perhaps poorer families passed their wands down
– user46509
Jan 28 '16 at 21:18
@ATB good point.
– CHEESE
Jan 28 '16 at 21:42
add a comment |
The Elder Wand was laid with Dumbledore - not sure of others.
– Jake
Jan 28 '16 at 19:48
2
Ron's first wand was second hand. Perhaps poorer families passed their wands down
– user46509
Jan 28 '16 at 21:18
@ATB good point.
– CHEESE
Jan 28 '16 at 21:42
The Elder Wand was laid with Dumbledore - not sure of others.
– Jake
Jan 28 '16 at 19:48
The Elder Wand was laid with Dumbledore - not sure of others.
– Jake
Jan 28 '16 at 19:48
2
2
Ron's first wand was second hand. Perhaps poorer families passed their wands down
– user46509
Jan 28 '16 at 21:18
Ron's first wand was second hand. Perhaps poorer families passed their wands down
– user46509
Jan 28 '16 at 21:18
@ATB good point.
– CHEESE
Jan 28 '16 at 21:42
@ATB good point.
– CHEESE
Jan 28 '16 at 21:42
add a comment |
3 Answers
3
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oldest
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The wand is generally laid to rest along with its owner. Quoting from Dumbledore’s notes in The Tales of Beedle the Bard:
Most witches and wizards prefer a wand that has “chosen” them to any kind of second-hand wand, precisely because the latter is likely to have learned habits from its previous owner that might not be compatible with the new user’s style of magic. The general practice of burying (or burning) the wand with its owner, once he or she has died, also tends to prevent any individual wand learning from too many masters.
Indeed, this is what happens in one case – Dumbledore’s wand is buried with him. There are very few other accounts of exactly what happened to somebody’s wand after they died.
If the wand is liable to malfunction with a new owner, that might explain why the wood and cores aren’t recycled. (Although I’ve never seen evidence that the wizarding world are particularly conscientious in that regard.)
I’m sure I’ve read something about a wand’s power being “broken” with the death of its master, but I can’t find a reference to it now.
Good answer, thanks!
– CHEESE
Jan 28 '16 at 21:43
1
The 'wand's power being broken with the death of it's master' reference is the Elder Wand, hopefully having it's power broken with Harry's eventual death of old age, as it had not been won from him. (in retrospect, working as an auror fighting dark wizards and having this goal seem mutually exclusive).
– user32390
Jan 29 '16 at 1:32
add a comment |
It depends on the wizard, and the wand.
As mentioned in the other answer, some are buried with their owners.
Some are handed down, but at least in the cases we've seen in the books, this is rarely successful. Both Ron and Neville have more success as wizards not only as they grow older, but when they get their second wand which has chosen them specifically. This may prove different if the match was better, but it seems even brothers and sons using someone else's wand isn't ideal.
The core and wood can make a difference in this matter, as seen on Pottermore. The unicorn hair core description tells us, "They are the most faithful of all wands, and usually remain strongly attached to their first owner, irrespective of whether he or she was an accomplished witch or wizard." It also warns, "they are prone to melancholy if seriously mishandled, meaning that the hair may 'die' and need replacing." Source.
Similarly, the ash wand wood section explains, "The ash wand cleaves to its one true master and ought not to be passed on or gifted from the original owner." Source.
As we can see, some wands may be effectively handed down, most should not be, and some certainly shouldn't be.
Are the materials of Ron's and Neville's first wands known?
– lfurini
Feb 5 '16 at 21:21
1
According to the Wiki, Ron's was ash and unicorn hair and Neville's is unknown, but his second was cherry with unicorn hair. Ron's second was willow and unicorn hair, by the way.
– ThruGog
Feb 5 '16 at 21:27
add a comment |
Besides for Dumbledore's wand covered in alexwlchan's answer, there is another instance in which we are told about someone being laid to rest with his wand. From Chapter Twenty-Two of Half-Blood Prince:
And Odo the hero, they bore him back home
To the pace that he'd known as a lad,
sang Slughorn plaintively.
They laid him to rest with his hat inside out
And his wand snapped in two, which was sad.
It's not entirely clear whether the wand had been snapped specifically for the burial or for some other reason (whether deliberately or accidentally). Though the phrase "which was sad" might indicate that at least the "snapped in two" part waas not considered standard practice.
add a comment |
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3 Answers
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3 Answers
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active
oldest
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The wand is generally laid to rest along with its owner. Quoting from Dumbledore’s notes in The Tales of Beedle the Bard:
Most witches and wizards prefer a wand that has “chosen” them to any kind of second-hand wand, precisely because the latter is likely to have learned habits from its previous owner that might not be compatible with the new user’s style of magic. The general practice of burying (or burning) the wand with its owner, once he or she has died, also tends to prevent any individual wand learning from too many masters.
Indeed, this is what happens in one case – Dumbledore’s wand is buried with him. There are very few other accounts of exactly what happened to somebody’s wand after they died.
If the wand is liable to malfunction with a new owner, that might explain why the wood and cores aren’t recycled. (Although I’ve never seen evidence that the wizarding world are particularly conscientious in that regard.)
I’m sure I’ve read something about a wand’s power being “broken” with the death of its master, but I can’t find a reference to it now.
Good answer, thanks!
– CHEESE
Jan 28 '16 at 21:43
1
The 'wand's power being broken with the death of it's master' reference is the Elder Wand, hopefully having it's power broken with Harry's eventual death of old age, as it had not been won from him. (in retrospect, working as an auror fighting dark wizards and having this goal seem mutually exclusive).
– user32390
Jan 29 '16 at 1:32
add a comment |
The wand is generally laid to rest along with its owner. Quoting from Dumbledore’s notes in The Tales of Beedle the Bard:
Most witches and wizards prefer a wand that has “chosen” them to any kind of second-hand wand, precisely because the latter is likely to have learned habits from its previous owner that might not be compatible with the new user’s style of magic. The general practice of burying (or burning) the wand with its owner, once he or she has died, also tends to prevent any individual wand learning from too many masters.
Indeed, this is what happens in one case – Dumbledore’s wand is buried with him. There are very few other accounts of exactly what happened to somebody’s wand after they died.
If the wand is liable to malfunction with a new owner, that might explain why the wood and cores aren’t recycled. (Although I’ve never seen evidence that the wizarding world are particularly conscientious in that regard.)
I’m sure I’ve read something about a wand’s power being “broken” with the death of its master, but I can’t find a reference to it now.
Good answer, thanks!
– CHEESE
Jan 28 '16 at 21:43
1
The 'wand's power being broken with the death of it's master' reference is the Elder Wand, hopefully having it's power broken with Harry's eventual death of old age, as it had not been won from him. (in retrospect, working as an auror fighting dark wizards and having this goal seem mutually exclusive).
– user32390
Jan 29 '16 at 1:32
add a comment |
The wand is generally laid to rest along with its owner. Quoting from Dumbledore’s notes in The Tales of Beedle the Bard:
Most witches and wizards prefer a wand that has “chosen” them to any kind of second-hand wand, precisely because the latter is likely to have learned habits from its previous owner that might not be compatible with the new user’s style of magic. The general practice of burying (or burning) the wand with its owner, once he or she has died, also tends to prevent any individual wand learning from too many masters.
Indeed, this is what happens in one case – Dumbledore’s wand is buried with him. There are very few other accounts of exactly what happened to somebody’s wand after they died.
If the wand is liable to malfunction with a new owner, that might explain why the wood and cores aren’t recycled. (Although I’ve never seen evidence that the wizarding world are particularly conscientious in that regard.)
I’m sure I’ve read something about a wand’s power being “broken” with the death of its master, but I can’t find a reference to it now.
The wand is generally laid to rest along with its owner. Quoting from Dumbledore’s notes in The Tales of Beedle the Bard:
Most witches and wizards prefer a wand that has “chosen” them to any kind of second-hand wand, precisely because the latter is likely to have learned habits from its previous owner that might not be compatible with the new user’s style of magic. The general practice of burying (or burning) the wand with its owner, once he or she has died, also tends to prevent any individual wand learning from too many masters.
Indeed, this is what happens in one case – Dumbledore’s wand is buried with him. There are very few other accounts of exactly what happened to somebody’s wand after they died.
If the wand is liable to malfunction with a new owner, that might explain why the wood and cores aren’t recycled. (Although I’ve never seen evidence that the wizarding world are particularly conscientious in that regard.)
I’m sure I’ve read something about a wand’s power being “broken” with the death of its master, but I can’t find a reference to it now.
edited Jan 28 '16 at 21:28
answered Jan 28 '16 at 19:53
alexwlchanalexwlchan
95.1k13389444
95.1k13389444
Good answer, thanks!
– CHEESE
Jan 28 '16 at 21:43
1
The 'wand's power being broken with the death of it's master' reference is the Elder Wand, hopefully having it's power broken with Harry's eventual death of old age, as it had not been won from him. (in retrospect, working as an auror fighting dark wizards and having this goal seem mutually exclusive).
– user32390
Jan 29 '16 at 1:32
add a comment |
Good answer, thanks!
– CHEESE
Jan 28 '16 at 21:43
1
The 'wand's power being broken with the death of it's master' reference is the Elder Wand, hopefully having it's power broken with Harry's eventual death of old age, as it had not been won from him. (in retrospect, working as an auror fighting dark wizards and having this goal seem mutually exclusive).
– user32390
Jan 29 '16 at 1:32
Good answer, thanks!
– CHEESE
Jan 28 '16 at 21:43
Good answer, thanks!
– CHEESE
Jan 28 '16 at 21:43
1
1
The 'wand's power being broken with the death of it's master' reference is the Elder Wand, hopefully having it's power broken with Harry's eventual death of old age, as it had not been won from him. (in retrospect, working as an auror fighting dark wizards and having this goal seem mutually exclusive).
– user32390
Jan 29 '16 at 1:32
The 'wand's power being broken with the death of it's master' reference is the Elder Wand, hopefully having it's power broken with Harry's eventual death of old age, as it had not been won from him. (in retrospect, working as an auror fighting dark wizards and having this goal seem mutually exclusive).
– user32390
Jan 29 '16 at 1:32
add a comment |
It depends on the wizard, and the wand.
As mentioned in the other answer, some are buried with their owners.
Some are handed down, but at least in the cases we've seen in the books, this is rarely successful. Both Ron and Neville have more success as wizards not only as they grow older, but when they get their second wand which has chosen them specifically. This may prove different if the match was better, but it seems even brothers and sons using someone else's wand isn't ideal.
The core and wood can make a difference in this matter, as seen on Pottermore. The unicorn hair core description tells us, "They are the most faithful of all wands, and usually remain strongly attached to their first owner, irrespective of whether he or she was an accomplished witch or wizard." It also warns, "they are prone to melancholy if seriously mishandled, meaning that the hair may 'die' and need replacing." Source.
Similarly, the ash wand wood section explains, "The ash wand cleaves to its one true master and ought not to be passed on or gifted from the original owner." Source.
As we can see, some wands may be effectively handed down, most should not be, and some certainly shouldn't be.
Are the materials of Ron's and Neville's first wands known?
– lfurini
Feb 5 '16 at 21:21
1
According to the Wiki, Ron's was ash and unicorn hair and Neville's is unknown, but his second was cherry with unicorn hair. Ron's second was willow and unicorn hair, by the way.
– ThruGog
Feb 5 '16 at 21:27
add a comment |
It depends on the wizard, and the wand.
As mentioned in the other answer, some are buried with their owners.
Some are handed down, but at least in the cases we've seen in the books, this is rarely successful. Both Ron and Neville have more success as wizards not only as they grow older, but when they get their second wand which has chosen them specifically. This may prove different if the match was better, but it seems even brothers and sons using someone else's wand isn't ideal.
The core and wood can make a difference in this matter, as seen on Pottermore. The unicorn hair core description tells us, "They are the most faithful of all wands, and usually remain strongly attached to their first owner, irrespective of whether he or she was an accomplished witch or wizard." It also warns, "they are prone to melancholy if seriously mishandled, meaning that the hair may 'die' and need replacing." Source.
Similarly, the ash wand wood section explains, "The ash wand cleaves to its one true master and ought not to be passed on or gifted from the original owner." Source.
As we can see, some wands may be effectively handed down, most should not be, and some certainly shouldn't be.
Are the materials of Ron's and Neville's first wands known?
– lfurini
Feb 5 '16 at 21:21
1
According to the Wiki, Ron's was ash and unicorn hair and Neville's is unknown, but his second was cherry with unicorn hair. Ron's second was willow and unicorn hair, by the way.
– ThruGog
Feb 5 '16 at 21:27
add a comment |
It depends on the wizard, and the wand.
As mentioned in the other answer, some are buried with their owners.
Some are handed down, but at least in the cases we've seen in the books, this is rarely successful. Both Ron and Neville have more success as wizards not only as they grow older, but when they get their second wand which has chosen them specifically. This may prove different if the match was better, but it seems even brothers and sons using someone else's wand isn't ideal.
The core and wood can make a difference in this matter, as seen on Pottermore. The unicorn hair core description tells us, "They are the most faithful of all wands, and usually remain strongly attached to their first owner, irrespective of whether he or she was an accomplished witch or wizard." It also warns, "they are prone to melancholy if seriously mishandled, meaning that the hair may 'die' and need replacing." Source.
Similarly, the ash wand wood section explains, "The ash wand cleaves to its one true master and ought not to be passed on or gifted from the original owner." Source.
As we can see, some wands may be effectively handed down, most should not be, and some certainly shouldn't be.
It depends on the wizard, and the wand.
As mentioned in the other answer, some are buried with their owners.
Some are handed down, but at least in the cases we've seen in the books, this is rarely successful. Both Ron and Neville have more success as wizards not only as they grow older, but when they get their second wand which has chosen them specifically. This may prove different if the match was better, but it seems even brothers and sons using someone else's wand isn't ideal.
The core and wood can make a difference in this matter, as seen on Pottermore. The unicorn hair core description tells us, "They are the most faithful of all wands, and usually remain strongly attached to their first owner, irrespective of whether he or she was an accomplished witch or wizard." It also warns, "they are prone to melancholy if seriously mishandled, meaning that the hair may 'die' and need replacing." Source.
Similarly, the ash wand wood section explains, "The ash wand cleaves to its one true master and ought not to be passed on or gifted from the original owner." Source.
As we can see, some wands may be effectively handed down, most should not be, and some certainly shouldn't be.
answered Feb 5 '16 at 20:38
ThruGogThruGog
10.1k23072
10.1k23072
Are the materials of Ron's and Neville's first wands known?
– lfurini
Feb 5 '16 at 21:21
1
According to the Wiki, Ron's was ash and unicorn hair and Neville's is unknown, but his second was cherry with unicorn hair. Ron's second was willow and unicorn hair, by the way.
– ThruGog
Feb 5 '16 at 21:27
add a comment |
Are the materials of Ron's and Neville's first wands known?
– lfurini
Feb 5 '16 at 21:21
1
According to the Wiki, Ron's was ash and unicorn hair and Neville's is unknown, but his second was cherry with unicorn hair. Ron's second was willow and unicorn hair, by the way.
– ThruGog
Feb 5 '16 at 21:27
Are the materials of Ron's and Neville's first wands known?
– lfurini
Feb 5 '16 at 21:21
Are the materials of Ron's and Neville's first wands known?
– lfurini
Feb 5 '16 at 21:21
1
1
According to the Wiki, Ron's was ash and unicorn hair and Neville's is unknown, but his second was cherry with unicorn hair. Ron's second was willow and unicorn hair, by the way.
– ThruGog
Feb 5 '16 at 21:27
According to the Wiki, Ron's was ash and unicorn hair and Neville's is unknown, but his second was cherry with unicorn hair. Ron's second was willow and unicorn hair, by the way.
– ThruGog
Feb 5 '16 at 21:27
add a comment |
Besides for Dumbledore's wand covered in alexwlchan's answer, there is another instance in which we are told about someone being laid to rest with his wand. From Chapter Twenty-Two of Half-Blood Prince:
And Odo the hero, they bore him back home
To the pace that he'd known as a lad,
sang Slughorn plaintively.
They laid him to rest with his hat inside out
And his wand snapped in two, which was sad.
It's not entirely clear whether the wand had been snapped specifically for the burial or for some other reason (whether deliberately or accidentally). Though the phrase "which was sad" might indicate that at least the "snapped in two" part waas not considered standard practice.
add a comment |
Besides for Dumbledore's wand covered in alexwlchan's answer, there is another instance in which we are told about someone being laid to rest with his wand. From Chapter Twenty-Two of Half-Blood Prince:
And Odo the hero, they bore him back home
To the pace that he'd known as a lad,
sang Slughorn plaintively.
They laid him to rest with his hat inside out
And his wand snapped in two, which was sad.
It's not entirely clear whether the wand had been snapped specifically for the burial or for some other reason (whether deliberately or accidentally). Though the phrase "which was sad" might indicate that at least the "snapped in two" part waas not considered standard practice.
add a comment |
Besides for Dumbledore's wand covered in alexwlchan's answer, there is another instance in which we are told about someone being laid to rest with his wand. From Chapter Twenty-Two of Half-Blood Prince:
And Odo the hero, they bore him back home
To the pace that he'd known as a lad,
sang Slughorn plaintively.
They laid him to rest with his hat inside out
And his wand snapped in two, which was sad.
It's not entirely clear whether the wand had been snapped specifically for the burial or for some other reason (whether deliberately or accidentally). Though the phrase "which was sad" might indicate that at least the "snapped in two" part waas not considered standard practice.
Besides for Dumbledore's wand covered in alexwlchan's answer, there is another instance in which we are told about someone being laid to rest with his wand. From Chapter Twenty-Two of Half-Blood Prince:
And Odo the hero, they bore him back home
To the pace that he'd known as a lad,
sang Slughorn plaintively.
They laid him to rest with his hat inside out
And his wand snapped in two, which was sad.
It's not entirely clear whether the wand had been snapped specifically for the burial or for some other reason (whether deliberately or accidentally). Though the phrase "which was sad" might indicate that at least the "snapped in two" part waas not considered standard practice.
answered 3 hours ago
AlexAlex
20.3k56298
20.3k56298
add a comment |
add a comment |
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The Elder Wand was laid with Dumbledore - not sure of others.
– Jake
Jan 28 '16 at 19:48
2
Ron's first wand was second hand. Perhaps poorer families passed their wands down
– user46509
Jan 28 '16 at 21:18
@ATB good point.
– CHEESE
Jan 28 '16 at 21:42