Significance of New Characters' Names

[rotsiepots]

Did you know Bellatrix is a star in the constellation Orion, known as "the warrioress"?

Kreacher is an obvious play on the word "creature", but what else did you notice?

Post any significance you've discovered in the new characters' names here. :)

[dumbleedore]

I think 'Dung' was used to create the impression that he was a lowley sort, kinda bottom of the chain etc etc

[hybrid]

luna lovegood... luna... lune. moon? werewolf? =D

[dumbleedore]

Ok, Google search on Tonks came up with this website:

http://www.fatpet.com/elvessa/index.html

[Inkwolf]

'Umbrage' means offense, annoyance, or displeasure. :D

What about Sturgis Podmore...I seem to have heard the name Podmore before...was it that ghost from the Headless Hunt?

And 'Bode'.....if has something to do with foreshadowing and predictions. "This doesn't bode well for the Ministry..." And Bode worked in the department of prophecy storage, how appropriate!

[lupinfan]

Hey Rotsiepots - wow, you know your stuff! Excellent idea for a thread too.

I have had a think about Luna Lovegood too, and came up with Werewolf - or may become one someday. Or I thought she might be a Seer as the moon is concerned with AStrology???

And then there's the whole Lovegood thing.....

Nymphadora anyone?? Nymph, fairy. Dora - adorable etc etc.

[Amina]

i got taht with professor umbridge *l* at first i thought it might come from 'umbra' meaning shadow, but i think it's just a play on the words 'to take umbrage'. dolores, however, comes from teh spanish, and means 'sorrows', which is interesting...

the other name that intriuged me was luna's last name. who's she givin' good lovin' too? ;) *l*

also, regulus (sirius' brother) is the star at the heart of leo. andromeda of course is a galaxy. seems teh black family were rather fond of star names for their children, no?

some believe the name phineus means 'mouth of the serpant' in hebrew. i'll think of more later :D

[Jerkwater]

What about the revelation of Percy's middle name (Ignatius)? Saint Ignatius in the Christian religion is a founder of the Jesuits, and famous for his Letter on Obedience (I'm not a religious guy, someone can elaborate) but Obedience is certainly Percy's strong suit (or downfall).

Also, there is a cult-followed novel from the early eighties (a personal favorite of mine) called A Confederacy of Dunces. The protagonist is named "Ignatius", but he is a 30-something loser with a Master's Degree and no job or life... Doesn't calculate out to be Percy. Confederacy of Dunces did win the Pulitzer, and is a favorite among English majors and writers, so it COULD be a nod from JKR, but I'm guessing St. Ignatius is more the inspiration.

[Weatherby]

I'm wondering what the signifance of Stubby Boardman is...

[Jaenelle]

Here's some random browsing results:
Nymphadora - a martyr from Bithynia (present day Turkey) during the Roman empire. She was killed with her two sisters for their beliefs.
Regulus - the brightest star in the constellation Leo. Also means 'prince'. Marcus Atilius Regulus was a military figure in Bithynia and was also a martyr.
Bellatrix - the brightest star in the constellation Orion (left shoulder). One translation of the name is 'the warrioress'.
Leo, Orion and Canis Major (Sirius is it's brightest star) are all winter constellations (in the Northern Hemisphere).
Andromeda (the chained woman) is an autumn constellation.
Lupus (the wolf) and Draco (the dragon) are spring constellations
The stars of Sirius and Regulus and the constellation Orion were major in the mythos of the Egyptians

[~BrandyTook~]

Yay! Someone else realized that Strugis Podmore had the same last name as Patrick Delaney Podmore from the Headless Hunt. When I read that name I did a little double take. I wonder if there's any connection.

I also think shortening Mundungus to Dung made him seem more disgusting.

Interesting to hear the meaning about Umbridge. She does fit that perfectly. "Offense, annoyance, and displeasure" I can think of a few other select words to describe her, but I shall bite my tongue.

It just struck me the other day that Sirius is the dog star. I jist realized that the other day and almost hit myself for not realizing it sooner.

[Freezair]

"Tonk" is also the name of a Blackjack-like card game. The numbers 3 and 30 are very significant in it... hmm, maybe she has something to do with the number 3? I dunno. Maybe Rowling just likes it. It's one of my favorite cards games, and I think she's a great character 2.

*Wipes her key board of tears, still sad about you-know-what* :(

[Ali]

Originally posted by Weatherby (original post (http://www.cosforums.com/a/showthread.php?postid=388079#post388079))
I'm wondering what the signifance of Stubby Boardman is...


me too. :shrug:

And seeing how JK will come back and relate characters in the end, I think we might expect things regarding Stubby in the future books.

[Rounded Buddha]

Mundungus is old english for a dung heap or something along those lines.

[familiar]

New twist on an "old" character name: On page 90 (US edition) Harry thinks "...he was also impatient at her mollycoddling...". He was referring to Molly Weasley. I looked up "mollycoddling" on www.dictionary.com and it said:
"To be overprotective and indulgent toward. See Synonyms at pamper.
n.
A person, especially a man or a boy, who is pampered and overprotected.
[molly, milksop (from the name Molly, nickname for Mary) + coddle.]"

So is that why JKR named her Molly, because she is overprotective? Interesting anway.

[anumati]

Marietta (the sneak) comes from the name Maria, from Mary. IT means "sea of bitterness" or "rebelliousness" how fitting.

[Inkwolf]

Originally posted by Rounded Buddha (original post (http://www.cosforums.com/a/showthread.php?postid=389889#post389889))
Mundungus is old english for a dung heap or something along those lines.


Actually, in the old threads, someone found out that Mundungus is a slang term for smelly old tobacco...which fits! :)

[Virtuousdream]

*hem hem* Ink, make me a third person wondering what Stubby has to do with it.

Hang on, did that article have a picture of Stubby? Because he could be that barman in The Hog's Head.

I also find "black" a good connection with his family's beliefs, and a good oxymoron. Sirius - Bright Black - dark. Always wondered why it was "black." Now I know

[Cat]

I think it's likely that Umbridge WAS named with the 'shadow' meaning in mind. She casts shadows. She certainly shadows over everybody's lessons, the poor, poor teachers...

Kreacher... the Gailic word 'creach' means 'to plunder'. But I also think it's meant to sound like 'creature'.

With that pun in mind, take a second look at the name 'Karkus'.

Golgomath is probably named after Gologotha, the hill on which Jesus was crucified.

Kingsley Shacklebolt - to 'shackle bolt' is chain somebody up. Suitable name for his job, I guess. It is also to hinder something, like how he hindered the discovery of Sirius.

Cassandra Trelawney - Cassandra is a character of ancient Greek mythology who had the gift of prophecy.

Nymphadora Tonks - could Nymphadora actually be named after 'nymph' as in the certain kind of baby insect? Because insect 'nymphs' undergo partial metamorphosis (the term for when a larva becomes a fully grown insect), as they actually only look like a smaller version of their adult selves when they are young, as opposed to changing their shape completely.

Phineas Nigellus - there is a character named Phineas in Greek mythology who, like Cassandra, had the gift of prophecy. but it's probably more noteworthy that one possibly origin of the name Phienas is the Hebrew for 'serpent mouth'... was Phineas a Parselmouth?


It's not a name meaning, but the writing on the Black family tree- 'Toujours Pur' - means 'forever pure'.

[Inkwolf]

Sorry, I don't even remember who Stubby Boardman was...gotta reread.

Phineus Nigellus--as I mentioned in the old thread about Septimus Severus, Niger means Black. Nigellus probably also means Black, and he is one of Sirius's relatives or ancestors. "Mouth of the Serpent" you say? How interesting...and how fitting for a Slytherin! :)

[anumati]

Karkus - Reminds me of 'carcass', a grim foreshadowing of whats to come. No other records to my knowledge.

[Cat]

Not a character, but I think 'Thestral' might come from 'astral' and the prefix 'the-' which refers to 'beast' or 'bestial' (eg. a 'theroid' is a beast, a 'therianthrope' is a half-man half-beast creature such as a centaur.).

[Snowpoke]

Bellatrix has several meanings, I think. When looking up Bellatrix, I came across belligerent, which comes from the latin belligerare, and means to wage war.

Also 'belle' which is a pretty girl, and she is described as having the remains of beauty (I think, unless I'm confusing her with Neville's mom)

And -trix, which sounds like 'tricks'. She is very tricky.

[Schlubalybub]

i have just found out that Regulus is a Star in the Leo Constellation. this is important to the plot cos Sirius's mum didnt like him as much as Regulus. she saw Regulus as being a lion, brave etc, and saw Sirius as being a dog, not very good in her eyes.

[Justin Etre]

I founnd Dumbledore's full name interesting - Albus Percival Wulfic Brian Dumbledore. It's a very long name, and an odd collabaration (sp?). I think we can guess that from Wulfric and Brian that he is half-muggle. Maybe the Wealey's named Percy after Dumbledore?

[Virtuousdream]

Why would the weasley's name Percy after Dumbledore?

[Inkwolf]

I'm pretty certain there's a famous Brian in British mythology, however muggley it sounds. And anyway, many pure-bloods have ordinary names....James, Arthur, Molly, Neville...

[Justin Etre]

^Because he's Dumbledore, one of the greatest wizards of all time!

[Virtuousdream]

But where does Percy link to the name Dumbledore?

Am I just being incredibly thick?!

[Dumblydorry]

Because of the name Percival in Dumbledore's name, Helhorns. Percival=Percy.

[Virtuousdream]

Ooooh *hits head against the wall in Dobby style*

Sorry, being stupid :).
On the bloomsbury website they have myths now, there's one on Mcgonagall. Just says Minerva, daughter of Zeus who is the only one trusted to make his firebolts. She's perhaps a deep trust between her and DD.

[landoeli]

i seem to remember a random person in book five having a name something like "Dorcas" which cracked me up because it both reminds me of the elementary school taunt dorkus and a not so nice dork ---.

[hermownninny]

LUNA LOVEGOOD...

Lovegood..It's kind of obvious...

Luna is Moon in Spanish....Maybe it is because she is "always in the moon" meaning, that she is everywhere but there, like when you daydream, and Luna is always looking distracted, like out of the planet,....Like when Umbrige ad them all in the office, Luna was looking out of the window like if nothing was happening....

[You-Know-Who]

Originally posted by Inkwolf (original post (http://www.cosforums.com/a/showthread.php?postid=393333#post393333))
I'm pretty certain there's a famous Brian in British mythology, however muggley it sounds. And anyway, many pure-bloods have ordinary names....James, Arthur, Molly, Neville...


Indeed, good observation. Is Albus an ordinary name?

[JenJen]

When I saw the name Sturgis Podmore I immediately wondered if he was related to "Properly-Decapitated" Podmore...I'm sure it's not a coincidence, JKR is more imaginitive than that.

[InvasionOfTheGuru4]

The spell, Avara Kedavera (Sorry about the spelling). "Cadaver", close to "Kedaver" means corpse. It's a spell that kills. It also is in close relation with Abra Kedabra, but it's cool that the corpse thing is close to it as well. ;)

[quote]Originally posted by Jaenelle (original post (http://www.cosforums.com/a/showthread.php?postid=389742#post389742))
Leo, Orion and Canis Major (Sirius is it's brightest star) are all winter constellations (in the Northern Hemisphere).

Hmm... isn't Canis Major the big dog constellation? And it IS supposed to be a big black dog!

[Fleur]

Just continuing with Sirius, Bellatrix, and other Black family members, Andromeda is a galaxy, and she was saved by the sea monster by Perseus in mythology. Is the orgin of the name Ted Perseus? :rolleyes: I doubt it.

[jerb]

I'm going back to Percy's middle name (it stuck out to me because I go to a Jesuit university). Anyway St. Ignatius Loyola helped reform the Catholic church, so I am inclined to think that maybe Percy will help reform the Ministry.

I'm sure there was another name that I associated with something, but now I forgot. Oh well.

[Cat]

Originally posted by Fleur (original post (http://www.cosforums.com/a/showthread.php?postid=394019#post394019))
Just continuing with Sirius, Bellatrix, and other Black family members, Andromeda is a galaxy, and she was saved by the sea monster by Perseus in mythology. Is the orgin of the name Ted Perseus? :rolleyes: I doubt it.


No, but an anagram of Severus Snape is Perseus Evans. Ooh, two theories in one! Bargain!

[Sam]

Well, someone mentioned McGonagall---Minerva was the goddess of knowledge, and in some cultures of war.

I was wondering about the knickname for Snape...Snivellus??? As in snivelling, maybe?

[Cat]

Yes, it is as in 'snivelling'.

I'm trying to find an origin behind 'Gubraithian Fire' and I can't. I'm stuck on 'Gubraithian'.

Er... Algernon Rookwood, formerly Augustus - there used to be a writer named Algernon Blackwood who wrote horror stories. 'Algernon' is also the name of a rat (>RAT!<) in the book 'Flowers for Algernon' by Daniel Keyes.

[djorno]

Perseus Evans... change it a bit and it almost spells Pursues Evans, something many speculate Snape does. It's probably been brought up though.

[KreacherCreature]

Percy's middle name "Ignatius".

A few of you have mentioned Saint Ignatius of Loyola.

However, there was another Saint Ignatius, one from Antioch.
He was a semi-powerful political figure (like Percy)
His boss, the Emperor Trajan (like Fudge) was ousted from power... (like Fudge might be?)
And when that happened, Ignatius was sent into the wilderness, banished, and killed by wild lions...

Thoughts?

[Evilrabbit]

Hmmm, there's something about Sturgis Podmore I just don't trust. I mean there't the same last name as Sir Patrick Delaney podmore, and he loses both of Moody's invisibility cloaks. Invisible? Ghosts? Maybe just a stupid theory, but it's bugging me. And he's supposedly controlled by the imperious curse. But somebody mentioned that before it was illegal, noone could tell who was under the imperious curse and who wasn't. I'm keeping my eye on Sturgis.

The Luna thing, I think it's just a variation of the word "lunatic" because she's so weird. I like the werewolf idea, though ;) JK

Hmmm, Stubby Boardman. (that's the singer Sirius supposedly is (or was? :'( )) Stubby, didn't Umbridge have stubby fingers, frequently mentioned. Boardman, if you change the spelling it's bored man, and Sirius is realy bored when he has to stay at 12GP for so long. I have no idea where i'm going with this, just random observations.

[Alastor D]

Almost everything i have to say is already said above. But let me add a couple perhaps too obvious things.
Meliflua = mellifluos?
Bonacord = bon accord? (that's french)
Algernon/Augustus has probably been discussed in the error thread. i don't think his name has changed. Either The Daily Prophet just got it wrong (as once with Arthur Weasley) or Algernon is a relative to Augustus.

[mrsweasley]

Luna will definitely turn up again. Maybe she's Remus' love child??
Luna--> Moon--> werewolf.

AND, I think the Etherral One likes Ron and will be the catalyst for Hermy to pursue him now. She may not realize her true feelings for him until there's a threat (Luna) of him being taken from her.
(that's an aside. Nothing to do with her name. ALTHOUGH Hermione might take "Lovegrove" as a symbol of the threat Luna is to her (for Ron's attentions).

[Tomsk]

What about Harry's middle name being the same as his fathers, like Barty Crouch and Tom Riddle, who both turned out evil.

I like the anagram of Severus Snape being Perseus Evans too!

I think it is a weird thing how a load of pure bloods are named after stars/constellations/galaxies.... could wizards have come from outer space??????????????

[thethirdman]

Luna was goddess of the moon in either Greek or Roman mythology. It used to be believed that phases of the moon controlled insanity. That's where the superstition of full moon=craziness came from. Also Lunatic is rooted in Luna/Lunar. Hence Loony for a crazy person. There you have it. Loony Luna.

[phoenixtears]

The sisters, Bellatrix (I LOVE that name!) and Andromeda were both named after stars/galaxies and that sort... what about the youngest sister, Narcissa, Draco's mother?

Any hidden meaning in Narcissa?

[JofpGallagher]

What about Grawp??? I was searching the web and the only thing I could come up was Harry Potter realted web-sites....So did JK invented this name? Has anybody seen it before?
I believe this giant can have a very important role in the next book...maybe in the Second War. By the way, Bellatrix always made me remeber the name Beatrix

[fiorenza]

Narcissa comes from Narcissus, the guy in Greek Mythology who was punished by falling deeply in love with his reflection, never able to part from it- which just implies that Draco's mother is extremely vain. ;)

Grawp reminded me of 'grip', so maybe he has a really tight grip? After all he is a giant. I'm sure I'm wrong about that though :-P

[Kenshin]

I don't see any thing important in Severus Snape being an anagram of Perseus Evans.

What about the one kid that Dudley beats up? Mark Evans. Anyway, do you think JKR put in Evans just for fun?

[fiorenza]

Kenshin- JKR probably did that to make online speculators go crazy with theories (IS Mark Evans a son of Harry's long lost squib uncle?!) I think the fact that he's ten years old, though, is suspicious. He might actually turn up at next year's sorting :O

[IThinkNot]

I am skipping the second page.

Sirius is the (apparent magnitude) brightest star in the sky. Constellation: Orion.

Rigel is the (actual magnitude) brightest star in the sky. Constellation: Orion.

Bellatrix is in Orion.

Andromeda is a star, but I can't remember which.

Narcissa comes from Narcissus (being conceited.)

Lucius comes from Lucifer.

Severus comes from being severe, restricted.

Lupin comes from Canis Lupis, the scientific name for wolf.

I can't think of any more... maybe these have been written before.

[Avalon]

About Wulfric in Dumbledore's name, I did a search and got...
WULFRIC
Also known as-Ulfrick; Ulric; Wulfric of Haselbury
Memorial-20 February
Profile-Priest. Led a worldly life, interested more in hunting and parties with local nobles that in tending to his flock.
For unspecified reasons he suddenly realized the error of his ways and repented. Some say it was due to a chance encounter with a beggar; others that he was suddenly moved by recitating the Lavabo verse: "I will wash my hands among the innocent." Retired as a hermit near Hazelbury, Somerset, England.
Had the gift of prophecy. Counselor to King Henry I and King Stephen. Copied and bound books, and crafted items for use in the Mass. Some orders have tried to claim that Wulfric was a member, but he never joined any.
Born at Bristol, England
Died 1154

I don't know what to make of that but about the famous Brian in Celtic mythology there were three: Brian, Brian Boru and Brian des Illes. The one that seems to fit the most seems to be Brian Boru. The search at isle-of-skye.org.uk came up with:
King of Ireland. He successfully defeated the almost universal scourge of the Danes which afflicted Ireland and Britain at that time [ Lord Voldie?], at the Battle of Clontarf, however, he lost his own life in the process.

Just hope the second half isn't a glimpse of whats to come :(

[whizbang121]

Originally posted by TheWizard (original post (http://www.cosforums.com/a/showthread.php?postid=389836#post389836))
me too. :shrug:

And seeing how JK will come back and relate characters in the end, I think we might expect things regarding Stubby in the future books.


Stubby Boardman sounds like a board you stub your toe on. :)
I don't see how he can be in future books, though. Sirius is gone.

[NaFran]

Dolores also means pain in spanish, which fits her character very well!!!

[SiriusSeverusFan]

I was on a site called babynames.com because they not only have names, but their meanings as well. Here's a bit of what I found:

Ignatius-Firey Spirit (If that's what you wanna call Percy's ambition, so be it).
Marietta-Little Bitter (Mmm....k?)
Sirius-Sparkling, scorching (I know it's the dog star too...but ya know, this means it's an actual name! I can name my first male child Sirius!)
Alastair-Protector of mankind (Alastair is a variation of Alastor, which is Moody's first name).
Mark-Rebellious (Any sort of indication of him coming to Hogwarts and being a rule-breaker?)
Padma-A Hindu goddess of fertility or something (Can't exactly remember *Smacks head on wall a la Dobby*)
Luna-Moon (Obviously)
Ron-Advisor to the king (Is Harry 'the king'?)
Hermione-Earthy (Well, she's rather down to earth, I guess).
Neville-New town (*Blinks* And here I'd heard it meant 'Absent-minded professor').
Cassandra-Prophet (Trelawney's ancesor)
Cybill-Soothsayer (A variation of Sybill, as in Sybill Trelawney)
Blaise-Stammerer (BTW: Blaise Zabini is a Slytherin in Harry's year, in case you don't know).
Draco-Dragon (As if anyone had any doubt).

And I believe someone mentioned an 'Algernon', which according to the afore-mentioned site, means 'bearded'.

[whizbang121]

The only thing that amazes me more than the research and information beautiful people on this thread have come up with, is the amount of data stored in JKR. The knowledge she draws on and the ability to incorporate it so that, "Those who have eyes to see, see," is impressive, thought provoking and fun. Thanks for opening my eyes to the significance of the names.

She really is Hermione.

By the way, it was noticed a while back that flower names seem to be more prevalent among women of Slytherin, the notable exception being Lily Potter. But, now we can add astronomical names to this list and add men, as well. But purebloods seem to have muggle like names, except for the older ones. Minerva is the Greek Athena and is sometimes associated with the planet Venus. Lucifer is also associated with Venus as the Morning Star.

[Kizz]

One referenced person (picked up on in the "Avery and Bode" thread - I'll post name details here) p113 UK version (2nd page of chap. 7) someone called 'Scrimgeour' - possibly an auror, definatly involved somewhere at the MoM. Scrimgeour is a clan up in Scotland, meaning 'hardy fighter', just in case he turns up again.

Their history doesn't seem to parallel much in HP so far, only that after the death of Sir William Wallace they supported King Robert and were hanged. They are reasonably local to JKR.

Some people in other threads have the idea that Stubby Boardman is no other than Sirius' long 'dead' little brother Regulus...can't find anything on Stubby, only that it's a size of beer bottle.

[Jinna]

Narcissus, as well as being a very vain person, is also the name of a flower.

[whizbang121]

While it may not mean much, in America, Stubby can be a nickname for someone who is short, or "undertall".

I think the Narcissus flower sprang up on the spot where Narcissus died, wasted away while admiring his own handsome reflection in the water. Wasn't the nynph who loved him Echo?

[animagus1369]

Originally posted by KreacherCreature (original post (http://www.cosforums.com/a/showthread.php?postid=394698#post394698))
Percy's middle name "Ignatius".

A few of you have mentioned Saint Ignatius of Loyola.

However, there was another Saint Ignatius, one from Antioch.
He was a semi-powerful political figure (like Percy)
His boss, the Emperor Trajan (like Fudge) was ousted from power... (like Fudge might be?)
And when that happened, Ignatius was sent into the wilderness, banished, and killed by wild lions...

Thoughts?


Fits in with my theory about Percy far more than his being a hero who reforms the Ministry. So of course I like this point. ;) And I think it fits a lot more into the story than his being based on Ignatius of Loyola, who IMHO had a great deal more inner strength for nobility than Percy seems to. Can't quite picture I of L dissing his family for political gain. (But then it's been a long time since reading Lives of the Saints in grade school!)

[whizbang121]

Gotta keep an eye on Percy. I honestly don't have much hope for him.

[Christine Black]

Originally posted by Rounded Buddha (original post (http://www.cosforums.com/a/showthread.php?postid=389889#post389889))
Mundungus is old english for a dung heap or something along those lines.


Mundungus means tabacco.

[idbeasquib]

Originally posted by KreacherCreature (original post (http://www.cosforums.com/a/showthread.php?postid=394698#post394698))
Percy's middle name "Ignatius".

A few of you have mentioned Saint Ignatius of Loyola.

However, there was another Saint Ignatius, one from Antioch.
He was a semi-powerful political figure (like Percy)
His boss, the Emperor Trajan (like Fudge) was ousted from power... (like Fudge might be?)
And when that happened, Ignatius was sent into the wilderness, banished, and killed by wild lions...

Thoughts?


I mean, sure, Percy's a prat, but killed by wild lions? I sure hope JKR has a little more forgiveness...

[Tsar]

KreacherCreature the Emperor Trajan was not ousted from power. He Suceeded the Emperor Nerva in 98 CE. He died in complete control in August 117 CE and was succeeded by the Emperor Hadrian

Peace
Tsar

[whizbang121]

Originally posted by Tsar (original post (http://www.cosforums.com/a/showthread.php?postid=414349#post414349))
Creature the Emperor Trajan was not ousted from power. He Suceeded the Emperor Nerva in 98 CE. He died in complete control in August 117 CE and was succeeded by the Emperor Hadrian

Peace
Tsar


Any idea what happened to Iggy? Maybe this time, it will be wild dragons, or miffed Centaurs, or a teenaged Giant? shudder

[too_wicked]

I know Dolores means sorrow in spanish right? And she sure gives a lot of sorrow to the students!

Correct me if I'm wrong but isn't it that Lily is the flower that is associated to mothers? I think I saw that in a greeting card. Oh well.

Percy's middle name "Ignatius".

A few of you have mentioned Saint Ignatius of Loyola.

However, there was another Saint Ignatius, one from Antioch.
He was a semi-powerful political figure (like Percy)
His boss, the Emperor Trajan (like Fudge) was ousted from power... (like Fudge might be?)
And when that happened, Ignatius was sent into the wilderness, banished, and killed by wild lions...

Thoughts?

Well, this St. Ignatius from Antioch is like Percy as a matter of fact. Maybe he's going to be killed too. But lions?

[Tsar]

Whizbang he was captured and sent to Rome where he died on Dec 20 107 CE. He was put to death using lions

[whizbang121]

Tsar,

Fed to the lions. Yum.

Are you aware of any aspects of Ignatius' life that are reflected in Percy's or may give us a clue to where Percy is headed?

[Tsar]

Whizbang I have done research on Ignatius of antioch using several websites

including the following from Catholic Online Saints

http://www.catholic.org/saints/saint.php?saint_id=677

and the 1907 Catholic Encyclopedia

http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/07644a.htm

neither of these articles suggest anything in his character that would make him similar in tenperment

If there is an Ignatius who is more like Percy I would say It would be Ignatius of Constantinope who even though he was devout he was actively engagedd in politics

He was born 799 and died in 877. He was the son of the Byzantine Emperor Michael I and his mother was the daughter of the Emperor Nicephorus

[bobtduck90]

Originally posted by KreacherCreature (original post (http://www.cosforums.com/a/showthread.php?postid=394698#post394698))
However, there was another Saint Ignatius, one from Antioch.
He was a semi-powerful political figure (like Percy)
His boss, the Emperor Trajan (like Fudge) was ousted from power... (like Fudge might be?)
And when that happened, Ignatius was sent into the wilderness, banished, and killed by wild lions...


Well that's cheerful...

Anyway, this is a totally random connection that I just made, but d'you guys think it's a coincidence that Sirius lived at 12 Grimmauld Place, and turns into a dog that looks like the Grim? Hehe, that has absolutely no revelence to anything, but oh well.

[whizbang121]

Tsar,
Does it seem like the name Ignatius is a dead end. I think JKR is deliberately putting us off. She's not taking any chances on our guessing which way Percy will go.

Bobtduck,

Nice catch. A dog that is the harbinger of death. If only we could figure out the significance of 12! 12 hours in the day, 12 months in the year, is she being astronomical, again?

Wait a minute. About 1,000 years ago, (give or take a couple of lifetimes), I read a book on the geometry of the great pyramid, (by Peter Tompkins, maybe?) Lots of pi, as I recall. Anyone familiar with the subject? Because, I wouldn't be surprised if JKR is. Doesn't one of the copyrighted titles have the word 'pyramid' in it.

So, pyramid studies. I feel like I'm back in school. Next thing she'll want 144 inches of parchment on the Great Pyramid due in Oct ........

[Tsar]

Whizbang that is a distinct possibility knowing JKR's love for red herrings

[Avalon]

Originally posted by whizbang121 (original post (http://www.cosforums.com/a/showthread.php?postid=419550#post419550))
If only we could figure out the significance of 12! 12 hours in the day, 12 months in the year, is she being astronomical, again?




Hey that got me thinking, a search came up with...

TWELVE. Denotes Governmental perfection. It is the number or factor of all numbers connected with government: whether by Tribes or Apostles, or in measurements of time, or in things which have to do with government in the heavens and the earth.

and 12 is one of the perfect numbers

The four perfect numbers, 3,7,10, and 12, have for their product the remarkable number 2,520. It is the Least Common Multiple of the ten digits governing all numeration; and can, therefore, be divided by each of nine digits, without a remainder. It is the number of chronological perfection (7 x 360).

[Godric Gryffidor]

I did a bit of research so here yall go
This is all from Dictionary.com to ;)

JONES:
Thought this one was a bit funny :)
Jones, Charles Martin. Known as “Chuck.” Born 1912.
American animator and animation director who helped bring to life cartoon characters such as Bugs Bunny and Daffy Duck for Warner Brothers. He won several Academy Awards for his cartoons.

HESTIA:
(More greek and Roman)
Hes·ti·a ( P ) Pronunciation Key (hst-)
n. Greek Mythology
The goddess of the hearth, daughter of Cronus and Rhea.
Source: The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition
Copyright © 2000 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
Hestia
n : (Greek mythology) the goddess of the hearth and its fire in ancient mythology; identified with Roman Vesta.

STURGIS
Citys.

VANCE:
Another city.

LUNA:
(Pretty streightforward but...)
Lu·na ( P ) Pronunciation Key (ln)
n. Roman Mythology
The goddess of the moon.
Latin Lna, from lna, moon. See leuk- in Indo-European Roots.]
Source: The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition
Copyright © 2000 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
[Buy it]
Luna
\Lu"na\, n. [L.; akin to lucere to shine. See Light, n., and cf. Lune.] 1. The moon.
2. (Alchemy) Silver.
Luna cornea (Old Chem.), horn silver, or fused silver chloride, a tough, brown, translucent mass; -- so called from its resemblance to horn.
Luna moth (Zo["o]l.), a very large and beautiful American moth (Actias luna). Its wings are delicate light green, with a stripe of purple along the front edge of the anterior wings, the other margins being edged with pale yellow. Each wing has a lunate spot surrounded by rings of light yellow, blue, and black. The caterpillar commonly feeds on the hickory, sassafras, and maple.
Source: Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary, © 1996, 1998 MICRA, Inc.
Luna
n : the goddess of the moon; counterpart of Greek Selene [syn: Luna]

KINGSLEY:
Yet another city.

DOGE:
doge ( P ) Pronunciation Key (dj)
n.
The elected chief magistrate of the former republics of Venice and Genoa.
[Italian dialectal, from Latin dux, duc-, leader, from dcere, to lead. See deuk- in Indo-European Roots.]
Source: The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition
Copyright © 2000 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
[Buy it]
Doge
\Doge\, n. [It doge, dogio, for duce, duca, fr. L. dux, ducis, a leader, commander. See Duke.] The chief magistrate in the republics of Venice and Genoa.
Source: Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary, © 1996, 1998 MICRA, Inc.
Doge
n : formerly the chief magistrate in the republics of Venice and Genoa

Well thats all of the new persons from the chapter "The Advance Guard".

[whizbang121]

Originally posted by Tsar (original post (http://www.cosforums.com/a/showthread.php?postid=419557#post419557))
Whizbang that is a distinct possibility knowing JKR's love for red herrings


It's true. I was more disappointed by JKR"s interviews and hints than I was about theories and the few spoilers I read.

*****************

Originally posted by Avalon (original post (http://www.cosforums.com/a/showthread.php?postid=419727#post419727))
Hey that got me thinking, a search came up with...

TWELVE. Denotes Governmental perfection. It is the number or factor of all numbers connected with government: whether by Tribes or Apostles, or in measurements of time, or in things which have to do with government in the heavens and the earth.

and 12 is one of the perfect numbers

The four perfect numbers, 3,7,10, and 12, have for their product the remarkable number 2,520. It is the Least Common Multiple of the ten digits governing all numeration; and can, therefore, be divided by each of nine digits, without a remainder. It is the number of chronological perfection (7 x 360).


Wow! I'm not a mathematician so a lot of that is lost on me, but I'm impressed. Governmental perfection is interesting. The heavens are divided into 12 zodiacal signs, each with 30 degrees and the circle being 360 degrees. There are numerous references to pi the constant used in fiding the circumference of a circle, in the mathematics of the Great Pyramid. What is she telling us? 12 is a perfect number, a full circle. Events come around full circle. Ramble on. (okay, okay Led Zeppelin is blasting:p )

[Tsar]

On the Gods/Goddesses theme Mulciber is another name for Vulcan the roman god of the forge

[Harry_Potter]

Don't know if this has been mentioned before but when the Advance Squad of the Order first picks up Harry there is a witch named Hestia Jones:

"and Hestia Jones." A pink-cheeked, black-haired witched waved from next to the toaster.

The thing is Hestia is the name of the Greek Goddess of the hearth, and when she is mentioned, she is next to the toaster. Could be a coincidence, could be another one of Rowling's name-tricks, thats for you to decide.

[seerius]

OOo, very neat :)
I seriously doubt that's coincidence, though, Rowling's waaay too knowledgable with Greek deities to have done that by accident.

Nice one, tho :D

[Cat]

I'm going on a whim here and suggesting that the name Ignatius means 'fire'. Is it possible that the tragedy of Percy's fate is merely to get fired?

I feel really dim about this, but I only realised a couple of days ago that Grimmauld Place sounds exactly like 'grim old place'. I was pronouncing it right in my head, but it just never clicked.

[Inkwolf]

Lockhart is in the Janus Thickey ward of the hospital.

Janus is derived from a two-faced Roman god, and could signify deception and uncertainty. (Janus is the god of doorways, beginnings, and the rise and set of the sun)

Thickey is british slang for someone who's thick-headed. :D

[Tsar]

I found the name of the Dai Llewellyn ward to be interesting because Llewellyn was the name of the last Welsh ruler of Wales who was deposed by Edward I.

[whizbang121]

Originally posted by Cat (original post (http://www.cosforums.com/showthread.php?postid=424185#post424185))
I'm going on a whim here and suggesting that the name Ignatius means 'fire'. Is it possible that the tragedy of Percy's fate is merely to get fired?

I feel really dim about this, but I only realised a couple of days ago that Grimmauld Place sounds exactly like 'grim old place'. I was pronouncing it right in my head, but it just never clicked.


Are you guessing about Ignatius because it sounds a little like ignite?

I got Grim Old Place, but I didn't pick up the reference to the "Grim" (dog of death) until I read it here.
**************************************

"Janus is derived from a two-faced Roman god, and could signify deception and uncertainty. (Janus is the god of doorways, beginnings, and the rise and set of the sun)

Thickey is british slang for someone who's thick-headed."

Inkwolf,

Janus is also the two headed god who gave his name to the month January. He looks back over the past year and forward to the coming year.

It's a time thing, again!

Is that the same ward the the Longbottoms are on?

[Inkwolf]

Whizbang, yeah I think Bode and the Longbottoms were there, too.


Janus is also the two headed god who gave his name to the month January. He looks back over the past year and forward to the coming year.


And Neville was there, looking over the results of the past....and starting a new beginning. Maybe that's what the significance of it is, then.

And Lockhart was the thickey. :p

[Cat]

Originally posted by whizbang121 (original post (http://www.cosforums.com/showthread.php?postid=424885#post424885))
Are you guessing about Ignatius because it sounds a little like ignite?

I got Grim Old Place, but I didn't pick up the reference to the "Grim" (dog of death) until I read it here.


I think 'The Grim' thing is coincidence. I think the reason it's Grimmauld Place is because Ominousauld Place and Scaryauld Place don't sound like real names.

Yes, I was getting it from 'ignite'. I can't check because my Latin online translator isn't opening.

[whizbang121]

Originally posted by Cat (original post (http://www.cosforums.com/showthread.php?postid=425409#post425409))
I think 'The Grim' thing is coincidence. I think the reason it's Grimmauld Place is because Ominousauld Place and Scaryauld Place don't sound like real names.

Yes, I was getting it from 'ignite'. I can't check because my Latin online translator isn't opening.


:rotfl:

But do you mind if I name my garden shed ominousauld place? It's too hilarious to forget.

[Anaya]

Originally posted by Cat (original post (http://www.cosforums.com/showthread.php?postid=394157#post394157))
No, but an anagram of Severus Snape is Perseus Evans. Ooh, two theories in one! Bargain!


That's really clever, Cat! :) As Fleur mentioned, Perseus saved Andromeda from the sea monster...that reminds me of how Lily saved Snape from James' hexes in "Snape's Worst Memory."

You also mentioned "Gubraithian Fire" and I thought that name was interesting, so I searched google.com, and after a long search...I think I found it!

At first, I typed "Gubraithian" in the search box, but that didn't work. Then I tried "Gubraith," and still there were no results, but at the top of the page it said "Did you mean gu braith?" I clicked on their link and discovered that the words gu and braith are Gaelic! So, I found an online Gaelic dictionary (here (http://www.ceantar.org/Dicts/MF2/) is the website), looked under "B" and found brath. And...

Gu brath means "ever," as "Gubraithian" Fire is "everlasting" fire.

Isn't J.K. Rowling amazing?

[Harry_Potter]

Wow, no wonder she takes so long to write the books! I bet she spends half the time on the plot and half the time on thinking up of weird and cool names!

[rons-lover]

Yeah.! She SURE researches EVERYTHING WELL!!!! You hardly see someone who works this hard on writing... Like I *always* say EVERYTHING in her books is there for a reason.!

I have NOTHING to add as far as name meanings and such.... *sadly*

[Catwalkk]

The flower names continue... Narcissa is a variation of narcissus, which is a type of buttercup.

[whizbang121]

Actually, it's a type of daffodil.

Anyone pick up on Mr. Prentice? He was on the street when Harry was dragging Dudley home after the dementor attack. Mrs Figg spotted him and didn't consider him a threat. But she told Harry to keep his wand out!
Any clue what the name means or why she wasn't concerned about him? I wonder if anyone remembers the name from one of the other books.

[Alastor D]

It seems Mr. Prentice hasn't been mentioned before.

[Alastor D]

Originally posted by Cat (original post (http://www.cosforums.com/showthread.php?postid=425409#post425409))

Yes, I was getting it from 'ignite'. I can't check because my Latin online translator isn't opening.


'Ignatius' and 'ignite' both have the same Latin origin. The name Ignatius means 'fiery, passionate'.

Edit: I'm sorry I double posted. Completely forgot I had just posted in this same thread. Forgive me mods.

[Mirkwood]

Albus Dumbledore = White Bumblebee
(see http://home.mn.rr.com/wwftd/def.htm)
Could that mean that he is an animorphus

[drummer]

Originally posted by Justin Etre (original post (http://www.cosforums.com/showthread.php?postid=393293#post393293))
I founnd Dumbledore's full name interesting - Albus Percival Wulfic Brian Dumbledore. It's a very long name, and an odd collabaration (sp?). I think we can guess that from Wulfric and Brian that he is half-muggle. Maybe the Wealey's named Percy after Dumbledore?


With a book series with British background, JKR does an excellent job of including all of the residents of the old isle of Britain: the Romans (in Albus, which is Latin, or language of the Romans), Percival which is of French origin (for the French Norman conquerors), Wulfric (which looks Anglo-Saxon for the Angles and Saxons) and Brian (a good ol' Celtic name) for the Celts.

[whizbang121]

Originally posted by drummer (original post (http://www.cosforums.com/showthread.php?postid=426647#post426647))
With a book series with British background, JKR does an excellent job of including all of the residents of the old isle of Britain: the Romans (in Albus, which is Latin, or language of the Romans), Percival which is of French origin (for the French Norman conquerors), Wulfric (which looks Anglo-Saxon for the Angles and Saxons) and Brian (a good ol' Celtic name) for the Celts.


So, in Dumbledore JKR did what the Sorting Hat said had to happen in Hogwarts. She blended them all.

I do think that Dumbledore is a least part muggle, but I can't say it's because of his names. Many non-slytherin purebloods have "normal" names, for example, all the Weasleys, Susan Bones, Neville Longbottom, etc. So I'm still in the dark as to why I think Dumbledore isn't a pureblood. Sometimes, I'm convinced that he and his brother are like the Creavys and Hermione. Completely muggle background.

I found this on a thread about Luna Lovegood and it got my interest. It was posted by Phoenixsong.

"Plus, her last name, Lovegood, connects her to the force which Lily used to save Harry."

See? Wow. Maybe this thought could lead to a new thread.

[emikkime]

All I noticed were:-

1) Obviously Kreacher and Creature

2) Mundungous Fletcher. Dung makes him seem lwoly and filthy

3) Luna. Lovegood obviously, but also Luna and the moon.......

[Christine Black]

Mundungus means tobacco. He is always describbed as smelling of smoke or smoking a pipe.

[Alastor D]

Right Christine. But that doesn't contradict the idea that his nickname Dung may refer not only to his physical appearance but also to his lowly character.

[Oddfellow]

Mundungus means tobacco in Brittish slang.
Who is Karkus again?
Percy Ignatius Weasley, maybe it is something like Tom Marvolo Riddle.
Confederacy of Dunces-- Great Read

[whizbang121]

People keep recommending Confederacy of Dunces to me. In line at Border's on the 21st of June, a friend picked it up and said I should read it. He was going to lend me his copy, but I guess we both forgot about it. From his description, it sounds a bit Douglas Adams to me. Is that accurate?

[Siriusly]

According to what I have read constellations Canis Major and Canis minor were believed to be in the shape of dogs by some European cultures. The brightest star in these constellations (and in the sky) is named Sirius. Now this is a sumer constellation in the northern hemisphere and the constellation rises between July 3rd and August 11th. This is where the expression "The dog days of summer" comes from. Another connection with this constellation is that July is the 7th month, and the constellation sets on the 11th. Sirius' vault at Gringotts is 711, and there is whole thread about the possible significance of that here
http://www.cosforums.com/showthread.php?s=&threadid=4640&highlight=711

[drummer]

I think you're on the right track about the number!!! But I think the number 711 may have another meaning or use.

[whizbang121]

seven, eleven and their sum nine are all mystical numbers.

[Tsar]

Also if you add the numbers 7 1 1 together they total 9. Which according to Giordano Berti and Tiberio Gonard in their book Visconti Tarots

In Many ancient cultures, this number represents the harmony of the three worlds (sky, earth and hell) or also the creative gesture that man puts into action in the matterial world or that he projects harmoniously (3 x 3) in the world of ideas and in that of the Spirit (Berti and Gonard 2002, 125).

[DarkRa]

Originally posted by fiorenza (original post (http://www.cosforums.com/showthread.php?postid=404083#post404083))
Kenshin- JKR probably did that to make online speculators go crazy with theories (IS Mark Evans a son of Harry's long lost squib uncle?!) I think the fact that he's ten years old, though, is suspicious. He might actually turn up at next year's sorting :O


I love this one! Imagine him being Harry's cousin or something. I just love it!

[paradoxpanda]

Yes! I thought so!

Cassandra WAS given the gift of prophecy by the god Apollo. However, she backed out of their deal, so he made sure that despite her gift of prophecy no one would ever listen to her.

I'm not sure how that applies yet, but hopefully it doesn't mean all of her predictions are true and b/c of her personality no one listens to them.

Narcissus was also in Greek Mythology, the one who loved his reflection so much he pined away. The flower is named b/c supposedly those were the flowers near him where he died.

Lupus comes from Latin and means 'wolf.' It also, however, means 'prostitute.' All of that connects to the story of the founding of Rome. The story goes that Remus and Romulus were abandoned near a river (a fairly common practice), and then a she-wolf nursed them back to health. Some people have guessed that the story is true, but due to the word being the same, it was not a wolf but a prostitute. Some versions say that the boys were taken in by a shepherd. In the end, Romulus and Remus build Rome.

Anyways, Romulus kills Remus (some versions say that Remus was slacking off and making fun of his brother first.)

Do we know anything about Lupin's family?

[drummer]

Maybe 7-11? Run a convenience store :)

[whizbang121]

Originally posted by Tsar (original post (http://www.cosforums.com/showthread.php?postid=431107#post431107))
Also if you add the numbers 7 1 1 together they total 9. Which according to Giordano Berti and Tiberio Gonard in their book Visconti Tarots


Wow, good find.

Is that number associated with a card in the Tarot deck?
And did you swallow the same library as JKR? ;)

[whizbang121]

Originally posted by drummer (original post (http://www.cosforums.com/showthread.php?postid=431174#post431174))
Maybe 7-11? Run a convenience store :)


I'll have 2 slurpees and ....
Do they have 7-11s in Scotland?

[Cat]

Originally posted by paradoxpanda (original post (http://www.cosforums.com/showthread.php?postid=431156#post431156))
Cassandra WAS given the gift of prophecy by the god Apollo. However, she backed out of their deal, so he made sure that despite her gift of prophecy no one would ever listen to her.

I'm not sure how that applies yet, but hopefully it doesn't mean all of her predictions are true and b/c of her personality no one listens to them.


You're talking about Trelawney? It was her ... grandmother?... that was called Cassandra. So the history behind the name doesn't affect out Professor Sybill Trelawney

[fruitia pickleweed]

Willie Widdershins: "Widdershins" is an old word for counter-clockwise. Willie is certainly known for going the "wrong way." (In the old days witches were believed to dance widdershins and there were other beliefs about stirring or sweeping in this direction.)

[Prosperine]

Okay, i know this is an old character's name, but it was pointed out to me that Lucius was the father of Brutus, as in Brutus who killed Caesar... so following that line, Draco may betray and kill someone- I'm thinking maybe Dumbledore? He is the head of Hogwarts just as Caesar was the head of Rome.... any thoughts?

[rotsiepots]

Rodolphus Lestrange's brother is identified as a fellow named Rabastan.

If you switch the "st" and "b" you get get name "Rastaban" which is the star known as the "head of the snake" in the constellation Draco.

Here's a picture:

http://www.astro.uiuc.edu/~kaler/sow/dra-t.jpg

[Omi]

I THINK IM GETTING SOMETHING GOOD!\

Harry was looking at the star consellation thingies, and he saw the Orion one! that cant just be a coincidence!

[DarkRa]

I was thinking that I've read the name Lovegood somewhere. Finally I found it! They live near the Weasleys! Mr Weasley said so to Mr. Diggory just before they arrive at the campside with the portkey in the beggining of GoF.

[drummer]

Originally posted by Prosperine (original post (http://www.cosforums.com/showthread.php?postid=433295#post433295))
Okay, i know this is an old character's name, but it was pointed out to me that Lucius was the father of Brutus, as in Brutus who killed Caesar... so following that line, Draco may betray and kill someone- I'm thinking maybe Dumbledore? He is the head of Hogwarts just as Caesar was the head of Rome.... any thoughts?


Great point! Well, Brutus and Cassius killed Caesar because they thought he was getting WAY to powerful and too BIG for his britches. Although when Caesar started out, everyone liked him. Is there a character who everyone likes that could get to powerful and that people including Draco would start to think that the character would have to go?
Also, does anyone know what a "triumvirate" is?

[Inkwolf]

Originally posted by drummer (original post (http://www.cosforums.com/showthread.php?postid=434065#post434065))
Great point! Well, Brutus and Cassius killed Caesar because they thought he was getting WAY to powerful and too BIG for his britches. Although when Caesar started out, everyone liked him. Is there a character who everyone likes that could get to powerful and that people including Draco would start to think that the character would have to go?
Also, does anyone know what a "triumvirate" is?


That's scary....

But listen...Brutus was a traitor who killed someone who looked on him as an adopted son.

Therefore, if this theory is correct, Dumbledore or Harry would not be likely to be his targets--far more likely Snape or Voldemort! (Didn't Dumbledore say that three kids had fit the prophecy? Could the third have possibly been Draco?)

I believe there was also a famous old Roman judge named Lucius Junius Brutus or something, who condemned his own son to death in court...though Crouch was a much more likely parallel to him than our Lucius Malfoy....unless Lucius hands in Draco to Voldemort for punishment someday.

[Cat]

I believe that a pope named (but they don't use their real names, do they?) Lucius succeeded a pope named Cornelius once. That's pretty ominous, too..

Er... meanings, meanings... oh yeah. There was an original Order member named Caradoc Dearborn, who disappeared. There was a Sir Caradoc of the Round Table, but there was also British king named Caradoc who was taken captive by the Roman army. I hope the Roman army is nothing like the Death Eaters in this case.

[andreadelacour]

JK Rowling sure does take the time to make the books really good.

[Cat]

But Order of the Phoenix was the only one that took an extensive amount of time to be released, and that wasn't due to the time it took her to write it.

So that means that she either spent a lot of time amongst books BEFORE she started writing, or that she is really good with this kind of general knowledge. I'm in awe either way.

[whizbang121]

Originally posted by drummer (original post (http://www.cosforums.com/showthread.php?postid=434065#post434065))

Also, does anyone know what a "triumvirate" is?


Are you sugeesting that our Trio will eventually become the rulers of the magical world? Isn't that a step backwards?

[drummer]

No, only that Caesar was part of a triumvirate.

[whizbang121]

Originally posted by drummer (original post (http://www.cosforums.com/showthread.php?postid=434313#post434313))
No, only that Caesar was part of a triumvirate.


I'm lost. I can't see where it corresponds in the magical world. Do you see Dumbledore as Caesar?

andreadelacourt,

"JK Rowling sure does take the time to make the books really good."

She's making history students out of all of us, as well! Veerrrry sneaky.


:p

[drummer]

Isn't it great?

[lily87]

Originally posted by Helhorns (original post (http://www.cosforums.com/showthread.php?postid=393741#post393741))

On the bloomsbury website they have myths now, there's one on Mcgonagall. Just says Minerva, daughter of Zeus who is the only one trusted to make his firebolts. She's perhaps a deep trust between her and DD.


I agree with this. I also found it amusing that she was trusted to make his firebolts, when in book 3 she had to take Harry's Firebolt. :)

[whizbang121]

Originally posted by drummer (original post (http://www.cosforums.com/showthread.php?postid=434353#post434353))
Isn't it great?


Ahhhhh. You were part of this plot, weren't you?;)

[Tsar]

Originally posted by whizbang121 (original post (http://www.cosforums.com/showthread.php?postid=431360#post431360))
Wow, good find.

Is that number associated with a card in the Tarot deck?
And did you swallow the same library as JKR? ;)


Whizbang121 most modern tarot decks are comprised of 78 cards the 22 major arcana and the 56 minor arcana. The Minor Arcana are number 1 through 10 and have four court cards the page, knight, queen and king.

A note on triumvirates

At certain points in in Roman history the roman empire was governed by a "triumvirate" of three rulers. Julius Caesar was part of the Second Triunvirate and Octavian Caesar aka the Emperor Augustus was part of the Third and final Triumvirate

[paradoxpanda]

"Tiberius was a Roman Emperor."

Are you sure? I thought Tiberius was the last king in the Roman Monarchy. I'm probably wrong though. That might have been Tiberius Sextus or someone else.

[whizbang121]

Originally posted by Tsar (original post (http://www.cosforums.com/showthread.php?postid=434431#post434431))
Whizbang121 most modern tarot decks are comprised of 78 cards the 22 major arcana and the 56 minor arcana. The Minor Arcana are number 1 through 10 and have four court cards the page, knight, queen and king.

A note on triumvirates

At certain points in in Roman history the roman empire was governed by a "triumvirate" of three rulers. Julius Caesar was part of the Second Triunvirate and Octavian Caesar aka the Emperor Augustus was part of the Third and final Triumvirate


Tsar,

Which card is the Magician? (As above, so below.) Is it the first or second? and which card is the ninth? (Hope it's not Death.)

How does the Roman system of government by triumvirate apply in Harry Potter's world? Is it the core trio of Harry, Ron and Hermione? Does that make Harry (the triumphant warrior and snitch catcher,) representative of Julius Caesar? (Born under an eclipse and apparently suffered from epileptic seizures. Or so I've heard.):)

[phoenixsong]

Nymphadora means gift of the nymph(s)

Flower names: other than Narcissa, we have Lily, Petunia, and Myrtle. Any others? We certainly do see that families have a tendency to thematize their names (e.g. the Black penchant for astral names). Could Lily and Petunia be related to Narcissa and Moaning Myrtle?

[Jinna]

I'm not sure if Zacharias Smith is a new character or not, but Zacharias was a person in the Bible, he was visited by an angel telling him his wife would have a son, and he asked the angel for proof. Zacharias Smith asked Harry for proof when he was telling them about Voldemort in the Hog's Head.

Tiberius Ogden was one of the Wizengamot that resigned in protest over the institution of the position of high inquisitor at Hogwarts. Tiberius was a Roman Emperor.

[drummer]

That's right. There was a person in the Bible named Zacharias like that.

[lonewolf]

As someone said, "umbrage" means offense. "Dolores" in spanish means "pains." So you could say that Professor Umbridges name means "pains and offensiveness."

[Tsar]

Whizbang in modern Tarot decks the Magician is numbered as card number 1 and follows the Fool which is either unnumbered or numbered as 0 depending on the deck

The card numbered 9 in the Major Arcana of the Modern Tarot decks is the Hermit. Death is numbered as 13 in modern tarot decks and follows the Hanged Man.

As to triumvirates I was merely excplaining what they were not applying them to Harry Potters world

[phoenixsong]

Janus Thickey! I just found that Janus Thickey, for whom the "long-term residents" ward in St. Mungo's is named, is footnoted in Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them under "lethifold", as the last case of a person who faked his own death by lethifold in order to run off with the lady who ran the local pub!

[Inkwolf]

Originally posted by phoenixsong (original post (http://www.cosforums.com/showthread.php?postid=435301#post435301))
Janus Thickey! I just found that Janus Thickey, for whom the "long-term residents" ward in St. Mungo's is named, is footnoted in Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them under "lethifold", as the last case of a person who faked his own death by lethifold in order to run off with the lady who ran the local pub!


EXCELLENT! Brilliant catch, Phoenixsong!

Wahahaa! :) And Lockhart's ward is named after him. I wonder why?

[whizbang121]

Originally posted by phoenixsong (original post (http://www.cosforums.com/showthread.php?postid=434561#post434561))
Nymphadora means gift of the nymph(s)

Flower names: other than Narcissa, we have Lily, Petunia, and Myrtle. Any others? We certainly do see that families have a tendency to thematize their names (e.g. the Black penchant for astral names). Could Lily and Petunia be related to Narcissa and Moaning Myrtle?


Arabella is the name of a day lily and there is Pansy Parkinson.

[FredRocksMySocks]

Sirius is pronounce 'serious' which he is not at ALL in book 5...hmm...

[Gwemegil]

Just thought I'd note that coincidentally (or not;D ) Amos (as in Amos Diggory--Cedric's father) means troubled.
Harry's name (as of babynames.com) comes from Harold, which means "Army Ruler"...any thoughts?:D

[Tsar]

Gwemegil Harry is also a nickname for Henry which according babynames.com derives from the German and means ruler of the home

[hightideorlowtide]

I think the name Brian in DD's name is just ironic in a way.. or is it just me... it's like this vast great name then you get:Brian

[Alastor D]

Originally posted by Tsar (original post (http://www.cosforums.com/showthread.php?postid=435981#post435981))
Gwemegil Harry is also a nickname for Henry which according babynames.com derives from the German and means ruler of the home


Right. Heinrich, old German Heinrih or Heimrih is derived from Heim = home and rih = ruler. But I don't see the connection to our Harry here.

[BellatrixOrTreats]

I don't think anyone should really look too far into Harry here. It was just J.K.'s favorite boy's name.

[Pucko]

as for Dumbledore's many names...Albus Percival Wulfric Brian
Brian means high, noble or strong

[Pucko]

Originally posted by Lestrange (original post (http://www.cosforums.com/showthread.php?postid=422926#post422926))
:p How cute. I usually write them down, my favorite easter egg is the 64224 (M-A-G-I-C) one.


sorry if i'm being very dim, but how on earth does 64224 make m-a-g-i-c?????
i'm completely in the dark here...

EDIT: 62442 makes MAGIC tho...

[phoenixsong]

Naming Trends: I think that it is interesting to note how many dark pure-blood families pick really pompous names for their children. we have the whole astral-theme: regulus, sirius, bellatrix, andromeda, draco; then some biggies like nymphadora, elladora, araminta, narcissa. I think that what we are seeing with the current generations is that their opinion of themselves, as seen in their high-falootin names, may be growing higher than their actual abilities (e.g. regulus, draco). it should be compared with the very simple names chosen by the good guys: harry, bill, charlie, fred, george, ron, ginny (all except Percival...).

[Neila Weiss]

I think that the name Nymphadora definitely relates to the story of how Artemis had to sacrifice her daughter to the God of the Sea because she'd angered the Nymphs or something. On the Black family tapestry, Artemis IS the name of Tonks' mother. :)

[Runes]

Really? I thought it was Andromeda o.O;

[Neila Weiss]

Oops, you're right. my bad, too many mythologies and only one mind. :sorry:

[phoenixsong]

Okay, to go along with Janus Thickey (see above): the "Dangerous" Dai Llewellyn ward (for serious bites) at St. Mungo's is named after the most famous quidditch player of the Caerphilly Catapults, who was, tragically, eaten by a Chimaera while on holiday in Greece (Quidditch Through the Ages, p. 33). "The Dangerous Dai Commemorative Medal is now awarded at the end of each season to the League player who has taken the most exciting and foolhardy risks during a game."

[Euthrel]

i think that almost every Witch and magician´s name in the book does mean something... Rowling is very in to naming people after how they act and such....

[paradoxpanda]

Artemis was a virgin goddess. No daughter, no suitors.

[Tsar]

Artemis was the younger twin sister of Apollo. Her father was Zeus and her mother was Leto a Titaness.

[Ecthelion]

Artemis

(AR-ti-mis; Roman name Diana) was the virgin goddess of the hunt. She helped women in childbirth but also brought sudden death with her arrows.

Artemis and her brother Apollo were the children of Zeus and Leto. In some versions of their myth, Artemis was born first and helped her mother to deliver Apollo.

Niobe, queen of Thebes, once boasted that she was better than Leto because she had many children while the goddess had but two. Artemis and Apollo avenged this insult to their mother by killing all or most of Niobe's children with their arrows. The weeping Niobe was transformed into stone, in which form she continued to weep.

When Apollo noticed that Artemis was spending a great deal of time hunting with the giant Orion, he decided to put an end to the relationship. He challenged Artemis to prove her skill at archery by shooting at an object floating far out at sea. Her shot was perfect. The target turned out to be the head of Orion.

Artemis is generally depicted as a young woman clad in buckskins, carrying a bow and a quiver of arrows. She is often accompanied by wild creatures such as a stag or she-bear.

Information sanctimoniously aquired HERE (http://www.mythweb.com/gods/Artemis.html) :)

[Lain]

At St. Mungo's in the Dai Llewellyn Ward the Healer in Charge Name is Hippocrates Smethuyck.

Looking it up at Dictionary.com (http://www.dictionary.com)

Hip·poc·ra·tes Called “the Father of Medicine.� 460?-377? B.C.

Greek physician who laid the foundations of scientific medicine by freeing medical study from the constraints of philosophical speculation and superstition. He is traditionally but inaccurately considered the author of the Hippocratic oath.


The Trainee Healer, in the same ward also, is Augustus Pye

In Ancient Rome, Octavian was the grand nephew of Caeser and took on the name of Augustus when he became the emperor of Rome around 27 B.C. after defeating Mark Antony and Cleopatra in 31 B.C. He brought Rome to a time of peace and prosperity. His later descendant, Nero, was believed to have been playing the violin while parts of Rome was burn to the ground.


Info on Augustus was from here (http://www.dictionary.com).

[BellatrixOrTreats]

Originally posted by phoenixsong (original post (http://www.cosforums.com/showthread.php?postid=436861#post436861))
the very simple names chosen by the good guys: harry, bill, charlie, fred, george, ron, ginny (all except Percival...).


(Percival and Hermione...)

[Inkwolf]

Originally posted by Ecthelion (original post (http://www.cosforums.com/showthread.php?postid=437387#post437387))
Artemis
When Apollo noticed that Artemis was spending a great deal of time hunting with the giant Orion, he decided to put an end to the relationship. He challenged Artemis to prove her skill at archery by shooting at an object floating far out at sea. Her shot was perfect. The target turned out to be the head of Orion.



Someone mentioned Harry looking at the constellation Orion in Firenze's class. Foreshadowing? Will clumsy Tonks kill someone with friendly fire?

[Cat]

Originally posted by phoenixsong (original post (http://www.cosforums.com/showthread.php?postid=436861#post436861))
it should be compared with the very simple names chosen by the good guys: harry, bill, charlie, fred, george, ron, ginny (all except Percival...).


But Percy's a dead ordinary name. At least, in Britain it is. I've heard loads of people say before that Percival is a rare and mysterious name and I've decided that they all must be Americans.

Actually, I've heard the same thing said about 'Arthur'.

Even the name Hermione's not that rare. Not like Draco or Mundungus or anything.

[Aspera Black]

Occlumency- Well it's not a name for a person really, but the word occlude means to block off or disrupt...

[Cat]

'Inclemency' is to be unyielding, but I'm still a bit iffy about that as the origin for part of 'Occlumency'.

[whizbang121]

I'm not sure that Artemis is relevent to this series, particularly since this conversation began with the mistaken pretense that it was Tonk's mother's name. Her name was actually Andromeda.

But, Artemis is also the goddess of the moon as well as the hunt, and is often pictured with a stag. Interesting.

[Cat]

Actually, it has SOME relevance. The author of Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them is called Newton Artemis Fido Scamander. Mwahaha, he had a girl's name.

[fruitia pickleweed]

Grawp, what does it mean? It sounds to me like a young child trying to say, "Grow up." He was small for a Giant, did his mother constantly say irritably to him "Grow up!" until he thought it was his name? (His mother most likely knew English and was somewhat articulate since she spent some time with Hagrid's father athough she eventually left. Grawp may be a lot less verbal than she was.)

[FredRocksMySocks]

fruit--cute theory! I dunno what Grawp could be, and it's fun to think of things like this with his name because it's so...bizarre and not really a name, more like a onomantopia (SP???) I always thought it sounded like a noise somebody made when they burped really loud!

[Alastor D]

Originally posted by Cat (original post (http://www.cosforums.com/showthread.php?postid=437881#post437881))
Actually, it has SOME relevance. The author of Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them is called Newton Artemis Fido Scamander. Mwahaha, he had a girl's name.


Quite many male muggles have Maria as their middle name.:)

[rotsiepots]

I thought it was interesting that the foyer of the Ministry was called the "Atrium". In biology, the upper chambers of the heart are called the left and right atrium. I know the word has duller, architectural meanings, but I prefer the heart analogy more than any other.

http://www.thehealthpages.com/ar_images/heart-il.gif

[Kassandra Amparo]

Bellatrix: "bellare" means 'to fight' in Latin.(She did love fighting,didn't she?? :)

Narcissa : might be from the name 'NARCISSUS'-a beautiful youth in Greek mythology who loved himself more than anything else.

Evan Rosier (Death Eater): 'Rosier' is a demon's name

Lucius Malfoy: 'Lucius' is a king of early Rome. Lucius and King Arthur hated each other (just like Arthur Weasley and Lucius Malfoy :) and in a fight,Lucius was defeated and killed by King Arthur.( Let's hope so ;))

[Cat]

Originally posted by fruitia pickleweed (original post (http://www.cosforums.com/showthread.php?postid=439187#post439187))
Grawp, what does it mean? It sounds to me like a young child trying to say, "Grow up." He was small for a Giant, did his mother constantly say irritably to him "Grow up!" until he thought it was his name? (His mother most likely knew English and was somewhat articulate since she spent some time with Hagrid's father athough she eventually left. Grawp may be a lot less verbal than she was.)


Hey, that's a really good idea!

But 'Grawp' is a bit like 'Graaper', which is a person who grabs hold of, seizes. You know, like Grawp grabbing all the trees (and Hermione).

Kassandra Amparo, 'bellatrix' is also a Latin word. It means a female warrior, or somebody (any sex) who is skilled in fighting.

[Daveydee]

Originally posted by rotsiepots (original post (http://www.cosforums.com/showthread.php?postid=440248#post440248))
I thought it was interesting that the foyer of the Ministry was called the "Atrium". In biology, the upper chambers of the heart are called the left and right atrium. I know the word has duller, architectural meanings, but I prefer the heart analogy more than any other.

http://www.thehealthpages.com/ar_images/heart-il.gif


Both the anatomical and architectural meanings for the word Atrium, come from the same Latin origin - Atrium, meaning chamber.

[phoenixsong]

St. Mungo's: mungo is a variant of mongoose, and can mean mongoose(the mongoose is the natural enemy of snakes, and is often paired with its mortal enemy the cobra; Nagini seems to be a cobra) or a plant, Ophiorrhiza mungos, regarded as an antidote to snake-bites in India and elsewhere (thanks to the OED!)

HOW COOL IS THAT!

[drummer]

[quote]Originally posted by Kassandra Amparo (original post (http://www.cosforums.com/showthread.php?postid=440623#post440623))
Bellatrix: "bellare" means 'to fight' in Latin.(She did love fighting,didn't she?? :)

Bella also means beautiful in Italian.

[LESTRANGEMUSTDIE]

in regards to the podmore comment, i thought it funny when ron, in response to comeone mentioning sturgis, says "you mean the guy who looks like his head's been thatched?" i wonder if he will meet the same fate as 'Sir Properly Decapitated Podmore'... if anyone sees any coincidences (name-related or not), you can also post them in the section i have made (book 5 name coincidences, or something... forgot the whole thing, but its there.)

[paperflowergirl]

Ok, I know that this is supposed to be a thread about new names, but I feel that some old names need to be considered more as well. This is some quite interesting information I have collected on the name HARRY.
Firstly, these are the words of Rowling herself:
Q: From where did you get the name for Harry Potter?
A: 'Harry' has always been my favourite boy's name, so if my daughter had been a son, he would have been Harry Rowling. Then I would have had to choose a different name for "Harry" in the books, because it would have been too cruel to name him after my own son.

I think we are very lucky that JKR had a daughter, because I think that if Harry`s name had not been Harry, the story would have looked different. Harry is either an old form of Henry, or an anglicized form Hari. Henry means “home ruler� – which is not that interesting for us. Hari, however, has a quite interesting meaning:

HARI m Indian: Means either "brown, green" or "lion" or "monkey" in Sanskrit. This was another name of both the Hindu gods Vishnu and Krishna . It was also borne by the son of the Garuda, the bird-like mount of Vishnu. (BehindtheName.com)

Lets first look at the translational meaning of Hari from Sanskrit. In the books, numerous references are made to Harry’s green eyes, and the fact that he inherited them from his mother is quite important. This is emphasized an almost ridiculous number of times in OotP, even though there is no explanation There are also many theories that Harry might be the Heir of Gryffindor, whose symbol is the lion.
While Hari was the name of the son of Garuda, it is also another name for the Hindu god Vishnu. Garuda as the symbol, mount, and most devoted servant of Vishnu, and therefore he named his son after him. Vishnu is the preserver of the universe. He appears in different incarnations in the world whenever evil gets out of hand. He is the true essence of all heroes. This is very appropriate, as Harry’s character is in many ways the archetype the Hero (he kind of has a "saving people thing", and he is destined to fight evil.
While little is told of Hari the son of Garuda, the story of Garuda has a very strong connection with the story of Harry’s life. The mother of Garuda was held in slavery by her co-wife Kadru, mother of all serpents, and her sons, who were nagas (serpents). The nagas agreed to release Garuda's mother if he could obtain for them a drink of the elixir of immortality. Garuda did this with some difficulty and on his way back from the heavens he met Vishnu and agreed to serve him as his vehicle and as his emblem. However, Garuda kept a great hatred towards the Naga (family of serpents and dragons), and is considered the enemy of all snakes.

In the Hindu and Buddhist culture, the phoenix is called Garuda. The Garuda is described differently in various legends, such as a fierce bird of prey (often similar to an eagle or a hawk) with a white face, scarlet wings and a golden body. In Japan , he is an enormous fire-breathing eagle with golden feathers and magic gems crowning its head.
Now, to me the connection here is quite self-explanatory, but I’ll add some of my thoughts anyway. First of all, it is quite possible and probable that the only reason Rowling picked the name Harry was the fact that she loved it. But, the character must not always shape the name – the name can shape the character. The more I find out and think about this connection, the more fundamental it seems in shaping the entire story line of the HP books.

Not only does Harry’s name refer to the essence of all heroes and the protector of mankind, which Dumbledore has just revealed is Harrys destiny whether he wants it or not, but the Gryffindor colors, scarlet and gold, are the colors of the Garuda. We are all aware of Harry’s exceptional flying abilities, but not only does he feel like he was born to fly a broomstick, but he flies around in Quidditch robes of scarlet and gold. He also has a pale white face.

I am sure that we all see the important connection between the battle of the phoenix with the snake, both associated with Harry’s name in mythology, and with Harry’s life in the books. The enemy who harmed Garudas mother was the Naga and the Naga queen. The person who killed Harry’s mother was Voldemort, a parseltongue obsessed with eternal life. Just in case you think this is too wild, here is more: the name of Voldemort’s snake in the GoF is Nagini, which is the feminine form of ‘naga.’

Notice that in the first book, Harry actually does obtain the Philosophers Stone, key to producing the Elixir of Life for Voldemort, even though he does not want to give it to him. In the myth the Garuda gets the Elixir of Life in order to free his mother, while in the book Harry gets the Philosophers Stone through the Mirror of Erised, in which he saw his mother for the first time. An important difference, however, is that in the myth the Garuda gives the Elixir of Life to the Naga’s, and Harry never does so. Only through him, however, does Voldemort get even close to attaining it.

This was just a few thoughts.

[Jinna]

Alphard (the uncle of Sirius who was blown off the tapestry for giving him gold) is a star in the constellation Hydra southwest of Regulus. It also means "the solitary one"

[whizbang121]

paperflowergirl,

So, in this scenario, Harry is Fawkes "son", Dumbledore is an incarnation of Vishnu and the idea of preserving balance in the universe has nothing to do with Star Wars?
Bravo!

I don't mean to be overly simplistic. This is very important information and there are certainly hints to its relevance. The name of Voldemort's snake, for example, and the "bad guys'" quest for immortality both fit. In some circles, it is believed that Vishnu is currently incarnated in the earth and has, along with exceptional long life, auburn hair.

So it seems that not only has JKR swallowed a small university library, she has also digested the sacred Vedas and Upanishads. She's not a walking encyclopedia. She's a computer.

[drummer]

Wow! I never thought that I could learn so much about history, mythology, religion, culture, and linguistics by reading a book series. What a great way to learn stuff!
Paperflowergirl, who are the three main Hindu deities: the creator (?), the preserver (Vishnu), and the destroyer(?)?

[linus_mugwort]

Forgive me if any of this is duplicate, but:

Alphard: (Sirius's Uncle, who left him the money he used to leave home and was blasted off the family tree by Sirius's mother.) Alphard is one of the stars in the constellation Hydra, and it means "solitary."

Phineas Nigellus: Phineas is a Biblical name that some people think means "serpent's mouth." (Phineas was dressed in Slytherin robes). People have mentioned this, but another meaning might be that the Biblical Phinehas averted a plague by killing an Isrelite for marrying a non-Isrelite. (maybe something to do with the family's pure-blood mania?)
http://www.behindthename.com/cgi-bin/search.cgi?terms=phinehas

Finally, in the Victorian language of flowers, Petunias mean anger and resentment. Aunt Petunia certainly is angry and resentful of her sister.
http://members.lycos.co.uk/ravenwitch487/links2.html

[Inkwolf]

Here's from Giants Monsters and Dragons, by Carol Rose--
PADFOOT
This is the name of a terrifying, monstrous being in the folklore of Yorkshire in the north of England. Padfoot, also known as Padfooits, is said to inhabit the moors, especially around Leeds. It is described variously as taking the form of a monstrous sheep with shaggy fleece and fiery eyes, or of a huge white dog, or even of a massive black donkey with huge, glaring eyes. Whatever shape, it is the soft, eerie padding behind its victim as it draws alongside in the dark that warns of its presence. This is often accompanied by roaring or the sound of chains. Terrified victims have died of fright. Some have attempted to hit it, but this is a bogey beast, not unlike the Barguest, Gytrash, Skryker, and Trash--all supernatural road monsters of northern England that must never be approached or touched.

Muggles, eh? :)

[paperflowergirl]

ok, drummer
vishnu is though of as the preserver, brahma is the creator, and shiva is the destroyer. I havent been able to find the 2 other major hindu gods (shiva and brahma) represented in the books.
Here is some information about Bode
Mr Weasley pointed out Bode and Croaker, both working for the dept of mysteries as unspeakables at the Quidditch world cup. To bode means ‘to predict, foretell, or be an omen of'.’ Usually this has a pejorative connotation, as an omen of something bad that is going to happen. On basis of this name, and that of Croaker, we should have guessed that something fishy was going on in the DoM. Croaker means someone who croaks. ‘Croak’ can refer to uttering a low hoarse sound or grumble, or to kill or die. Croaker can therefore mean either someone who grumbles, dies, or possibly kills. A mysterious name for someone who works as an Unspeakable for the Department of Mysteries. We also knew that Rookwood, who worked/works in the Ministry of Mysteries was accused by Karkaroff of being a Death Eater spy (the same that Bagman was (unknowingly?) passing information to). Of course, now that we know there is a great deal of weird stuff going on in the dept of mysteries, but it is nevertheless nice to look back at all the clues JKR put out for us.

[drummer]

Thanks, Paperflowergirl.

[phoenixsong]

I was just checking out this really informative site on stars and their names: http://www.ras.ucalgary.ca/~gibson/starnames/starnames.html

There I found that Rastaban means "Head of the Snake" and is in the constellation Draco!

Also there was this very interesting information regarding the constellation "The serpent" (according to one site, it has a star called Chow/Cho in it) from: http://www.astronomical.org/constellations/ser.html

"Serpens is a very ancient constellation, and is always shown in the grasp of Ophiuchius (the snake handler). It was this serpent that revealed the secrets of healing the dead to Ophiuchius. The serpent is the symbol for the poison (venom) that can both cure and kill, Ophicuchius controls it and uses it to heal. "

Interestingly, the constellation of the serpent is divided (remember Dumbledore's instrument, showing the serpent, but "in essence divided"?)

Scrimgeour (the guy that Tonks and Kingley has to watch out for because he was asking a lot of questions, presumably in the aurors office at the MoM) is the name of a scottish clan whose name seems to come from the French "escrimeur" swordman or fencer. The clan motto, in Latin, is "Dissipate" which in the Latin means to put to flight, to disperse.

[geojac]

Okay,

How about Grimmauld Place? Was our friend Fran the only one to read it as "Grim Old Place"?

Geo and Jac

[Inkwolf]

Cool, Phoenixsong! I wonder if we'll see anyone named Ophiuchius in the books. :)

[phoenixsong]

Originally posted by Inkwolf (original post (http://www.cosforums.com/showthread.php?postid=475396#post475396))
Cool, Phoenixsong! I wonder if we'll see anyone named Ophiuchius in the books. :)

Bit of a mouthful, though, isn't it? Not that I really know how the Greek is pronounced anyway...But I really like the bit about the poison and elixer being one and the same. Kind of fits in with the duality of the serpent, too.

[Cat]

Originally posted by phoenixsong (original post (http://www.cosforums.com/showthread.php?postid=459992#post459992))
Scrimgeour (the guy that Tonks and Kingley has to watch out for because he was asking a lot of questions, presumably in the aurors office at the MoM) is the name of a scottish clan whose name seems to come from the French "escrimeur" swordman or fencer. The clan motto, in Latin, is "Dissipate" which in the Latin means to put to flight, to disperse.


I found that one, but I'm not sure of its relevance. I mean, we don't know of any dissipating or sword-skill, do we? The only really interesting thing is that the coat of arms includes two hounds supporting a shield gules with a lion rampant Or wielding a scimitar (a red shield with an upright golden lion - similar to the Gryffindor crest, except that the Gryffindor lion doesn't hold a scimitar). But that's not really relevant, either, just interesting.

The surname Scrimgeour is still in use.

[phoenixsong]

I can't remember if I saw this above, but I think "thestral" is tied in with "thester" meaning dark, or darkness.

[whizbang121]

and it rhymes with kestral.

of course, I can't remember what a kestral is, so .....
Sorry, I'm on dial up today.


*************
:rolleyes: silly me. Of course, a kestral is a sparrow hawk.

[Alastor D]

Originally posted by Cat (original post (http://www.cosforums.com/showthread.php?postid=475539#post475539))
I found that one, but I'm not sure of its relevance. I mean, we don't know of any dissipating or sword-skill, do we?

The surname Scrimgeour is still in use.


No, we don't know about any sword-skill. But we know about bat-skill.
In 'Quidditch' Brutus Scrimgeour is mentioned as the author of 'The Beaters' Bible'. Perhaps one could say that beaters put to flight and disperse?
Relevant? I don't know.

[phoenixsong]

Originally posted by Alastor D (original post (http://www.cosforums.com/showthread.php?postid=477224#post477224))
No, we don't know about any sword-skill. But we know about bat-skill.
In 'Quidditch' Brutus Scrimgeour is mentioned as the author of 'The Beaters' Bible'. Perhaps one could say that beaters put to flight and disperse?
Relevant? I don't know.

Nice one, Alastor D! That is exactly the meaning of the latin "dissipate"!

and it rhymes with kestral.

of course, I can't remember what a kestral is, so .....
a kestral is a small bird of prey, I think, kind of like a falcon.

[Cat]

Originally posted by phoenixsong (original post (http://www.cosforums.com/showthread.php?postid=475747#post475747))
I can't remember if I saw this above, but I think "thestral" is tied in with "thester" meaning dark, or darkness.


Interesting...
But are you sure? I can't find a trace of that word anywhere.

I had it in mind that it might be a mixture of astral and 'the-' which is a prefix meaning 'of beasts'. Astral beast?

[phoenixsong]

I'm pretty sure, Cat. It is an obsolete usage, but both forms are attested in the OED.

[Cat]

And you've got the correct spelling? I've been looking for it on THIS (http://www.onelook.com/) search engine which goes through every online dictionary and thesaurus.

Ah ha! I've found it on a dictionary of medieval words :D

Darn, I can't PM you. I was going to ask permission to use 'thester' on a page of Harry Potter etymology.

[phoenixsong]

Your link doesn't include the Oxford English Dictionary; you need a subscription to enter it online. I can use it through my University's library website. Here's the entry from the OED:

thester, n.
Obs.
[OE. ßestru, éostru, fem. (orig. of the -î decl.) = OS. thiustrî; also OE. ßestre, éostre, pl. -ru, neut.; f. THESTER a.]

Darkness. lit. and fig.

thester, adj.
[OE. ßostre, éostre, in WS. (with umlaut) ßestre, ýstre, = OS. thiustri, OFris. thiustere, MDu. dûster (Du. duister, MLG., LG., G. düster),:OTeut. *iustr-joz. Ulterior etymology uncertain.]

Dark. lit. and fig.

thester, v.
Obs.
[OE. éostrian, ßestrian, f. éostre, THESTER a. Cf. G. düstern.]

1. intr. To become dark, grow dim.

Oh, use whatever is helpful. Where's your page of HP etymologies?

[Cat]

Originally posted by phoenixsong (original post (http://www.cosforums.com/showthread.php?postid=478189#post478189))
Oh, use whatever is helpful. Where's your page of HP etymologies?


http://www.geocities.com/chikaneus

If I can use your finding for Thestral I'll credit you. Should I credit you as 'phoenixsong' or another name?

[phoenixsong]

**blushes** phoenixsong is just fine. I look forward to checking out your site.

[pavonia black]

I don't know how many people know this, but there was a St. Mungo. Information can be found here (http://www.saintmungo.org/stmungo.html). I don't know, just thought it was interesting that she did name the hospital after a real Saint, though I can't really see why he would get a hospital named after him.

[Kassandra Amparo]

Here are some ideas about the names :D

Severus Snape = never uses spa

Harry Potter = Try Hater Pro :LoL:

Dumbledore = Bum old deer

Luna Lovegood = vague old loon

Mark Evans = raven mask


Thank chrissy2crazy for the website ;)