The Symbol on the Spine, Part 2, Is it alchemy, ancient runes, or other? |
 Apr 28 2007, 08:27 AM
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Leaky's Resident Borg Queen  Posts: 11,908 Joined: 11:45am July 25, 2005 Location: in space, the final frontier . . .   |
Here's your new edition. Click here for Part 1.
From the last post in Part 1: QUOTE(*ellen marine* @ Apr 28 2007, 05:10 AM) [snapback]1197968[/snapback] QUOTE(Fawkes the Phoenix @ Apr 28 2007, 03:50 AM) [snapback]1197676[/snapback] There are odd markings etched around THE RIM of the pensieve as said in pg 187 HBP, which is solid, the background is whitish misty coloured like the pensieve too, so why can't it be that? On the back of my Philosopher's Stone, Dumbledore is also wearing a cloak with lots of small symbols around the edge, and I believe either Ron's or Dumbledore's (or both) golden watches have "symbols" around them. Not to mention the countless symbols that must be in Hermione's Ancient Runes textbooks. I think QuidditchChase's wand movement idea is very astute, though. Cleverly thought out, and it definitely makes sense given the order in which the lines/curves are drawn on that Bloomsbury animation. That animation might also back up another theory. I'm sure you all noticed that the curves of the circle appear not to be the same length? Well, I've been thinking for a long time that unless the soul is predisposed to divide into seven (which I'm sure it's not; otherwise why would it be deemed so "evil" to rip your soul, if it was natural for it to fall into seven pieces) - then Voldemort's Horcrux fragments should not be of equal weighting. Let me explain: when Voldemort created his first Horcrux, he ripped his soul in half. Fair enough. So, one half goes into the Horcrux, whilst the other half stays in Voldemort. When he creates the next Horcrux.. he rips his soul in half again. Okay.. except he only had half a soul inside him at the time. So the fragment going into the Horcrux is actually only a quarter of his original soul, and the part now residing in his body is also only a quarter. So, the Horcruxes would contain fragments of the following sizes: Horcrux 1: 1/2 of Voldemort's soul Horcrux 2: 1/4 of Voldemort's soul Horcrux 3: 1/8 of Voldemort's soul Horcrux 4: 1/16 of Voldemort's soul Horcrux 5: 1/32 of Voldemort's soul Horcrux 6: 1/64 of Voldemort's soul .. which would mean that the fragment residing in Voldemort's body is also only 1/64 of his original soul. That's pathetic! But I feel a serious application of this theory might be in determining why Dumbledore almost died from destroying one Horcrux, whilst Harry got rid of another with relative ease. This might be helpful for Harry in figuring out what order Voldemort created his Horcruxes in; and it might help him identify likely objects. Anyway. Basically, I just wondered if the differing sizes of the semi-circles may be a sneaky clue about the differing sizes of the fragments. Not directly, of course.. and all of this *could* be simply down to Jo's self-professed lack of mathematical ability... who knows?  -------------------- "That's why he fought. That's why he lived again, and that was the answer to Tam's question. I fight because last time, I failed. I fight because I want to fix what I did wrong. I want to do it right this time" -- Rand |
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Apr 28 2007, 11:15 AM
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Flesh-Eating-Slug Catcher  Posts: 162 Joined: 9:59am February 27, 2006 Location: Griffindor Common Room |
OOOOh I like this theory. That LV currently has only 1/64 th of his original soul left in him. This would explain why he is snakelike in appearance now.
I am not sure what the symbol means. But I like the fact that more of the cicle is on the "right" side and not the left. I believe that this means that good triumph's over evil. Does not mean to say that Harry lives just that good triumph's over evil. 
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Apr 28 2007, 05:52 PM
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Gringott's Cart Axle Greaser Posts: 2,773 Joined: 4:37pm September 28, 2005 Location: In my tower, dwelling on ...  |
Since Bloomsbury posted the animated symbol on their site, I've wondered if the order of drawing the symbol on the spine is important. First, it's an equilateral triangle drawn clockwise from left bottom to top to bottom to left. Second, the circle is also drawn clockwise inside the triangle, from bottom to top to bottom. Finally, the bisecting line is drawn from bottom to top--splitting the circle and triangle in two equal parts. The clockwise and upward strokes are as intriguing as the symbol itself.
Is it symbolic of the rise of the "Chosen One?" Or, is it a symbol for DD's Order of the Phoenix? (An eternal circle within a triangle of fire seems to represent the phoenix's rebirth from the ashes.) If I had to categorize the symbol, I would say it is alchemical. It's not a standard Germanic rune of the type that Hermione was studying. Could it be the symbol for the Philosopher's Stone itself? It seems to be more than just the union of the symbol for fire (the triangle) and potassium nitrate (the circle with a vertical line). Why does the line extend beyond the circle? Does Golpalott's Third Law come into play here? -------------------- “Wisdom is a flower from which the bee its honey makes and the spider poison, each according to its own nature.” (By an unknown adept) Proud Supporter of the "Rotfang Conspiracy." |
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Apr 28 2007, 06:20 PM
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Perusing the Magical Menagerie Posts: 92 Joined: 6:00am April 5, 2007 |
This symbol looks sort of like Solomon's Magic Triangle amulet, the Goetic talisman with which Solomon bound evil spirits.
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Apr 28 2007, 08:42 PM
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Eeylops Owl Cage Cleaner Posts: 245 Joined: 8:04pm January 4, 2007 |
Could each side of the equilateral triangle symbolize each of the main characters? Could the circle symbolize their unbroken friendship and loyalty ( the circle has no beginning or end). I am not sure about the split into two Isoceles ( sp?) triangles though...
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Apr 28 2007, 11:24 PM
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Gringott's Cart Axle Greaser Posts: 2,773 Joined: 4:37pm September 28, 2005 Location: In my tower, dwelling on ... |
Actually, the split equilateral triangle wouldn't be two isosceles triangles, because neither would have two equal sides. Instead they would be two right, scalene triangles. Both the right triangles and half circles are mirror images of themselves, reflected by the vertical line.
Does the line represent the Mirror of Erised? Or does it reflect the world split in two: the Muggle world and the Magical world? Or could it be the split between the world of the living and the dead? Whichever, the symbol has ties to Alchemy and Greek and Egyptian symbologies. -------------------- “Wisdom is a flower from which the bee its honey makes and the spider poison, each according to its own nature.” (By an unknown adept) Proud Supporter of the "Rotfang Conspiracy." |
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Apr 29 2007, 01:15 AM
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Perusing the Magical Menagerie Posts: 92 Joined: 6:00am April 5, 2007 |
It's A 3000 year old amulet used to capture, and trap for all of eternity, evil wizards.
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Apr 29 2007, 02:06 AM
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Total Eclipse of the Elf  Posts: 2,115 Joined: 4:47pm July 3, 2005 Location: Kansas City |
I agree with most of the posts in part one of this thread about what the shape of the symbol means - especially the alchemy-related explanations. I think besides understanding the "meanings" of the symbol, I am becoming very curious about what direct (physical) role the symbol will play in Book 7.
Books 1-5 all ended at Kings Cross Station, but Book 6 ends with Harry, Ron, and Hermione on the other side of the lake from Dumbledore's tomb. There are even stragglers from the funeral still in the area over near the tomb. I wouldn't be surprised if at the beginning of Book 7 the trio walked back around the lake and took time to say some private goodbyes to Dumbledore. I agree that the symbol on the cover (and now on Bloomsbury's website) is a raised (Bas-relief) projection on white marble. You can tell its raised by looking at the top of the triangle. I think the trio will see the symbol on Dumbledore's tomb before they leave Hogwarts. I think they will come across this symbol more than once in Book 7, and that is has some purpose connected with alchemical processes. Dumbledore and Flamel were alchemists and Dumbledore's tomb was even created in some mysterious, almost alchemical fashion. I'm hoping that Harry gets the chance to stop by Dumbledore's office one more time before taking the train home. Possibly McGonagall and he will have a reason to speak to each other briefly. Afterall, Harry left the office in a rush the previous time because Ministry officials were on their way up to talk to McGonagall. If Harry ends up in Dumbledore's office, he may see the symbol again - on a book, on an instrument, in a memory, or even in a 3D form. Jo likes to show Harry objects or things and then later have him (or one of the trio) come across those same things and have their curiosity peaked. We're seen a pattern of this leading Harry to solve mysteries and discover truths. I think the symbol on the spine will be one of those types of things that Jo uses to lead Harry to information he needs on his journey through Book 7. This post has been edited by Poet: Apr 29 2007, 02:09 AM |
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Apr 29 2007, 02:28 AM
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Getting Fitted for New Dress Robes Posts: 58 Joined: 11:02am March 30, 2007 Location: keeping an eye on my Foe-glass |
QUOTE I agree that the symbol on the cover (and now on Bloomsbury's website) is a raised (Bas-relief) projection on white marble Ok, everyone keeps saying its a triangle but its not. If, as quoted above, its Bas-relief then its showing a pyrimid with an orb or globe inside it. --------------------   |
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Apr 29 2007, 03:36 AM
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Stocking Snitches at Quality Quidditch Supplies Posts: 665 Joined: 11:29am November 2, 2006 Location: HP fandom |
QUOTE(Kermit @ Apr 28 2007, 08:42 PM) [snapback]1198637[/snapback] Could each side of the equilateral triangle symbolize each of the main characters? Could the circle symbolize their unbroken friendship and loyalty ( the circle has no beginning or end). I am not sure about the split into two Isoceles ( sp?) triangles though...  -------------------- Ron Weasley: Keeper, Knight and King JKR: "I don't think good books are written to a formula" JK Rowling Chat, AOL Live, May 4, 2000 |
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