There are so many fun facts about Harry Potter that we had to put a few out there. Many of the facts we’ll share are apparent if you know the context beforehand.
Now, if this post goes well, we’ll do another one.
Without further ado, let’s explore five facts about Harry Potter.
Harry Potter Fact #1: Harry Doesn’t Use His Wand Once In The Philosopher’s Stone
Ben and J Carlin pointed out this first fact in their book read-through podcast, Through The Griffin Door. Harry doesn’t use his wand once during the entirety of the Philosopher’s Stone/Sorcerer’s Stone book.
Harry Potter Fact #2: The Arthurian References
The books are littered with references to Arthurian legend. Some of these are clear through the characters we meet along the way. Examples include:
- Arthur Weasley – King Arthur
- Ginerva “Ginny” Weasley – Queen Guinevere (Ginerva is the Italian version of Guinvere)
- Percy Weasley – Sir Percival
- Morgan Le Fay – seen on a Chocolate Frog Card
- Merlin – various references
Harry Potter Fact #3: Greek Mythology
One of the most recognisable Harry Potter facts sprinkled throughout the series is references to Greek Mythology. Some of the examples that are clear from the start are:
- The existence of Fluffy the three-headed dog – a nod to Cerebus
- Names throughout the series including:
- Narcissa Malfoy – Narcissus
- Draco – the constellation
- Andromeda Tonks – the princess who was almost sacrificed to the Kraken and rescued by Perseus
- Scorpius Hyperion Malfoy – the constellation Scorpio and the titan Hyperion
- Hermione Granger – the god Hermes
- Sirius Black and James Sirius Potter – the “dog star” Sirius which is derived from the Greek word, Σείριος (Latin script: Seirios)
- Newton Artemis Fido Scamander – the goddess of the hunt, Artemis
- Theseus Scamander – the demigod hero who slayed the minotaur
Harry Potter Fact #4: The Number 7
The number 7 comes up several times throughout the series. A big thank you to Screen Rant’s Cooper Hood for their 2020 article on the many uses of the number 7. Examples include:
- Books – 7 in total
- Seven years at Hogwarts
- 7 people act as Harry during the Battle of the Seven Potters
- There are seven Weasley children; Bill, Charlie, Percy, Fred and George, Ron and Ginny
- Seven Horcruxes – Harry, Locket, Ring, Diadem, Diary, Cup, and Nagini
- Seven different types of spells; Hex, Transfiguration, Jinx, Charm, Counter-Spell, Healing, Curse
Harry Potter Fact #5: The Flower References
JK Rowling really hammered home that use of flowers in the series. Examples include:
- Lily – Lily Potter and Lily Luna Potter
- Poppy – Poppy Pomfrey
- Petunia – Petunia Dursley
- Rose – Rose Granger-Weasley
- Asphodel – Snape mentions this during his first potions lesson that Harry is in during his first year
- Fleur – Fleur Delacour – Name means ‘Flower’
